I think some foods are sacred. I’m a big fan of health-ifying recipes, but some foods are just meant to be eaten in all their butter-laden, sugar-filled glory.
I think healthy eating is all about moderation, and part of that moderation is honoring the perfection that is certain comfort foods on occasion. Chili dogs. Chocolate chip cookies. Buttermilk biscuits. Macaroni and cheese used to be one of those foods for me too.
I’d much rather indulge in a cheese-filled mac and cheese dish occasionally instead of suffering through the sacrilege that is most of the “healthy” mac and cheese recipes out there on a more frequent basis.
And that was true, until I read the new menu at one of our local restaurants. One of the menu items was a macaroni and cheese made with one of my favorite local wheat beers, and the light bulb went on! For the first time, I thought I might be able to make a good healthy mac and cheese recipe (though I’d be balancing out the healthiness with the addition of booze). Win!
So I got to Googling for healthy mac and cheese recipes, and it seemed that using butternut squash as the base for the cheese sauce was the way to go.
The boiled squash turns creamy and smooth once it is run through the blender (much like it does in soup), and serves as a mild and nutty base for a small amount of cheese. Plus, it’s the right color. We all eat with our eyes, so having the creamy mac be bright yellow was important.
We were totally bowled over by how decadent and interesting the end result was. Instead of tasting healthy, it tasted creamy, comforting, and cheesy. The beer was a light, but noticeable, flavor in the background that made it more addictive with each bite. Enjoy!
Beer and Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
This Beer and Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, comforting, and cheesy.
Ingredients
- 2 12-ounce packages (1 1/2 pounds) elbow macaroni (whole wheat or regular)
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, deseeded and cubed
- 2 cups skim milk
- 1 bottle wheat beer
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
- 3 cups shredded gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13” pan or two 9x9” pans with oil or cooking spray.
- Boil elbow macaroni for 1-2 minutes less than the time indicated on the package (you want it to be not quite al dente, since it will continue to cook later in the oven).
- Meanwhile, bring the squash, milk, beer, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat so that the mixture simmers and continue to cook for about 20 minutes, or until the squash is very tender. Do not worry if the mixture separates.
- Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to process the mixture until very smooth and creamy (or carefully transfer to a regular blender and puree in batches). Stir in the yogurt, gruyère, Pecorino Romano, and butter.
- Add the elbow macaroni and stir until the pasta is evenly coated with sauce. The mixture will be very soupy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish or dishes.
- Mix the panko and Parmesan in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 more minutes, until the top is browned and the sauce is thickened. Serve hot.
Notes
Any wheat beer that you enjoy drinking will work well here.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 478mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 15g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
