Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese balances gentle sweetness from pureed squash with a velvety, cheesy sauce for cozy comfort in every bite. Light dairy elements like cottage cheese and skim milk keep it rich without feeling heavy, while a hint of nutmeg and cayenne adds warmth. It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner or weeknight side that feels both familiar and fresh.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 11 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 55 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 54
- Heart Health
- 65
- Metabolic
- 29
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 33
- Performance
- 37
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring now and then, until slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain.
- 2
Put the cooked squash into a food processor and process until smooth. Move it to a large bowl and stir in the cooked pasta, milk, cottage cheese, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, bouillon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper until fully combined and creamy. Serve right away.
- Calories 292.87 kcal Moderate 15%
- Protein 12.24 g Good Source 24%
- Carbohydrate 52.02 g 19%
- Total Fat 5.24 g Moderate 7%
- Saturated Fat 2.18 g Moderate 11%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 11.45 mg Low Source 4%
- Sodium 145.25 mg Moderate 6%
- Dietary Fiber 3.3 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 3.73 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 129.04 mg Low Source 10%
- Iron 2.26 mg Moderate 13%
- Potassium 361.77 mg Low Source 8%
- Vitamin A 349.37 mcg Good Source 39%
- Vitamin C 13.23 mg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin D 0.19 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Butternut Squash Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese is made with 11 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Butternut Squash, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Bouillon, and Cottage Cheese. Each serving provides about 292.87 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese made of?
- The main ingredients are Butternut Squash, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Bouillon, Cottage Cheese, Grated Parmesan Cheese. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese?
- About 30 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 292.87 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 11 ingredients and 2 steps.
- Is Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese healthy?
- Butternut Squash–Infused Creamy Macaroni and Cheese has an easyChef Pro health score of 41/100. Per serving, it provides 292.87 calories and 12.24 g of protein, or 24% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin A. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 145.25 mg (6% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 2.18 g (11% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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