Healthy Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time -
- Cook Time -
- Serves 6
Recipe Provided By: Martha Stewart
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1. Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup homemade chicken stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
- 1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tablespoon coarse salt, plus more for water
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fine bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Olive-oil cooking spray
Nutrition Info
Per Serving
- Calories: 519 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 82 g
- Dietary Fiber: 7 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Sugars: 10 g
About: Nutrition Info 
Powered by: ESHA Nutrient Database
2. Cooking Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine squash, stock, and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash contents of saucepan; stir in nutmeg, cayenne, and salt, and season with black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add noodles; cook until al dente, according to package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl; stir in squash mixture, cheddar, ricotta, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Lightly coat a 9-inch-square baking dish (4 inches deep) with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodle mixture.
- Cover with aluminum foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 30 to 40 minutes more. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 servings
3. Still Hungry?
Ricotta and pureed squash give this slimmed-down but familiar dish its creaminess.
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Most Helpful Reviews
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Not Bad
mlotto77 - December 14, 2007 03:47:56 PM PSTBoy, you guys writing the reviews sure are smart! It's news to everyone that "healthy" has replaced, "low cal". No one said this was a, "low cal" dish.
Healthy means it lacks the hydrogenated, processed by-products that make those boxed mac and cheeses so unhealthy.
If you all are having problems with calorie count, try to eat HEALTHIER so your body can actually process the food you are putting into it - don't just count calories.
Sheesh, this is elementary and basic nutrition - people.7 of 7 found this review helpful.
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Excellent dish (and you get some veggies in there!)
Danika Rockett - December 17, 2007 03:41:31 PM PSTI don't understand the idiots on here who "review" dishes they have not actually made. haha. Yes, as someone else said, the author never said this dish was "low calorie." But it is definitely healthy, especially if you use all organic ingredients and whole wheat macaroni. By the way, the whole wheat elbow pasta tastes great! I actually lost almost 20 pounds by cutting out ALL processed food and only eating fresh, homemade, and/or organic foods; that's the ONLY change I made to my diet. And yes, I do eat dishes like this one (all 500 calories of it). I look and feel great, and I eat this dish pretty frequently. You can actually add in other veggies, too, such as finely chopped broccoli. Try it!
3 of 3 found this review helpful.
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great!
ashley - July 9, 2008 06:05:11 PM PSTI haven't tried this exact recipe but I have made mac and cheese with butternut squash and it was delicious. Maybe even better then normal mac and cheese. To make it even healthier, try adding some broccoli and corn or whatever veggies you have on hand. (peas are good too!)
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??
cindypliska - December 17, 2007 12:20:13 PM PSTHave any of you writing a review even tried this recipe????
I would rather hear from someone who's actually tried it.
That way I know if I want to make it or not.1 of 4 found this review helpful.
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Gaw people!
Airborne Ranger - January 21, 2008 04:27:46 PM PSTThis is from the kitchen of Martha freakin' Stewart guys! She is America's housewife!!! It certainly beats some other mac n' cheese recipes. I can't wait to get it made :). Sounds delicious! :D
0 of 2 found this review helpful.
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