• Ree's Life
  • Food and Recipes
  • Home and Life
  • Holiday
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • News and Entertainment
  • Giveaways
  • Subscribe
  • New: Ree's Best Family Meals
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
  • About The Pioneer Woman
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
Logo
  • Ree's Life
  • Food & Recipes
  • Weddings
  • Fall Recipes
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
Subscribe
sign in
  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A delicious fall-inspired comfort food.

By Ree DrummondUpdated: Jan 10, 2024
Star
Be the first to review!
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
butternut squash mac and cheese
Ryan Dausch
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins

Bake this skillet mac and cheese just enough so that the breadcrumbs are golden and the edges are nice and crispy.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 1/2

    medium butternut squash, seeded

  • Olive oil, for drizzling

  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 12 oz.

    elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)

  • 2

    onions, thinly sliced

  • 1

    stick salted butter

  • 2 Tbsp.

    all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups

    whole milk, plus more as needed

  • 2 cups

    grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)

  • 1/2 cup

    seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 400 ̊. Drizzle the squash with olive oil and place it cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tender and browned in spots, 50 to 70 minutes, watching it to make sure the surface doesn’t get burned. Scrape out the flesh and mash it with a potato masher. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside. Leave the oven on.
    2. Step 2Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the package directs for al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water and set aside.
    3. Step 3Combine the onions and 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over low to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are a deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove to a plate.
    4. Step 4Add 4 tablespoons butter to the same skillet and melt over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to make a thin paste. Cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking gently, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. You’ll probably want to add more salt.
    5. Step 5Turn the heat to low and stir in the mashed butternut squash. When it is warmed through, stir in the cheese. If the sauce is too thick when the cheese is melted, add a splash of milk. Keep stirring until the sauce is nice and hot. Stir in the onions and then the macaroni. Taste and add more salt if needed.
    6. Step 6Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Add the breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and bake it straight in the skillet until the crumbs are golden and the edges are bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Comfort Food

pumpkin spice products 2025

Shop These Pumpkin Spice Snacks Right Now

pioneer woman meatball casserole

Make Meatball Casserole For Dinner This Week

southern thanksgiving menu

30 Recipes for a Homestyle Southern Thanksgiving

peanut butter jelly recipes

20 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
the pioneer woman's chicken tortellini soup recipe

The Best One-Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

should you salt pasta water

Should You Salt Pasta Water?

spaghetti squash recipes

21 Different Ways to Cook With Spaghetti Squash

the pioneer woman's popcorn chicken recipe

Make Golden Popcorn Chicken For Every Party

the pioneer woman's smothered chicken recipe

Smothered Chicken Gets The Bacon Gravy Treatment.

the pioneer woman's sausage breakfast casserole recipe

Make-Ahead Sausage Breakfast Casserole

the pioneer woman's sheet pan gnocchi recipe

Sheet Pan Gnocchi Is a Dinnertime Hero

tailgate foods

Win Big on Game Day With These Tailgate Foods

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
SubscribeAbout The Pioneer WomanOther Hearst SubscriptionsNewsletter
A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSitemap
Cookies Choices