Gourmet Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients

SQUASH

• 1 medium butternut squash, cut into cubes but not peeled
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• salt and pepper

MACARONI

• one 16-oz box elbow macaroni (cavatappi pasta is also recommended)

CHEESE SAUCE

• 1/4 lb unsalted butter
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 8 ounces locatelli cheese, grated
• nutmeg
• salt
• white pepper

TOPPING

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup panko
• 2 ounces locatelli cheese, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Season the squash with salt and pepper as desired.

2. 2

   Spread water and butter on a sheet pan. Place the squash, flesh side down, on the pan.

3. 3

   Roast until the squash is tender (fork-able) them remove from oven and cool.

4. 4

   I guess if you're using frozen squash, you can skip the next step.

5. 5

   Scoop out the flesh and place in a food processor, pulse until the squash is pureed. Measure out 1/2 cup puree; save the remainder for soup or another use.

6. 6

   Cook pasta al dente in salted water, and drain.

7. 7

   For the sauce: Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

8. 8

   Whisk in the flour and dry mustard.

9. 9

   Add the milk slowly, whisking continuously until smooth.

10. 10

    Add some nutmeg and cook on low heat until the sauce thickens and the flour taste dissipates.

11. 11

    Whisk in the cheese, a little at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated. Fold in the 1/2 cup squash puree. Season with salt and white pepper.

12. 12

    Stir together the pasta and sauce in a large mixing bowl. Spread in a greased shallow baking dish.

13. 13

    To make the topping, melt the butter in a pan then stir in the pank and mix until the crumbs are well coated with butter. Stir in the cheese.

14. 14

    Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pasta.

15. 15

    Bake at 350 until golden brown, probably 25-35 minutes.