Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Converting one dish into another is one of my favorite creative kitchen projects. This recipe uses a “Creamy” Butternut Squash Soup as a base and by simply adding a few more ingredients turns it into something totally new. This idea can be extrapolated using lots of different kinds of pureed soups. This happens to be one of my favorites since the yellow from the squash gives it a good Kraft mac color and adds a little bit of sugar which plays really nicely with the mustard we add!

Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Prep Time: 25

Total Time: 40

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta (rigatoni, penne, shells or farfalle are all great)

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 4 cups butternut squash soup

• 1- 1½  cup shredded cheddar (depending on your cheesiness preference)

• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

• ½ cup parmesan

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees

2. In a large pot bring enough water to cover the pasta to a boil (add salt to water)

3. In a second pot heat up the butternut squash soup and whisk in the dijon

4. Cook the pasta per the directions on the package

5. Once the pasta is cooked use a slotted spoon to scoop the pasta into the pot with the squash soup

6. Give it a good mix and fold in the cheddar cheese

7. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste

8. Pour the pasta into a 9 x 9 pyrex and cover with the parm and breadcrumbs

9. Cook until the top is crispy and bubbling, about 15 minutes