Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Quite possibly one of the best recipes I’ve ever made and it’s all because my Broccolini’s flooded my DMs with requests for this BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE Trader Joe’s remake! 1000% secured, you absolutely MUST make this. Def adding bacon next time too!

Watch how to make this recipe step by step on my Instagram!

AUTHOR: broccyourbody

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

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Ingredients

16 oz pasta, I used rigatoni
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour, GF works too
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon chili flakes or cayenne pepper
1/2 cup butternut squash purée, I made my own by blending roasted butternut squash or you can use canned
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, I used Trader Joe’s unexpected cheddar
2 cups shredded Gouda, or you can sub with just more cheddar if you’d like
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan + more to top

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package. Tips: generously salt your pasta water and do NOT rinse your pasta.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter down then add the flour and whisk to combine.
Add the milk, continuing to whisk, until combined and brought to a simmer. Add your fresh herbs and spices.
Whisk in your butternut squash purée and cheese until melted and whisked smooth.
Remove the pan from heat and mix in cooked pasta. Season to taste and serve with parmesan cheese!

Notes

*For a thinner sauce, add more milk. For a thicker sauce, add more cheese.

5 based on 6 reviews

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WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS RECIPE?

Jackie I says:

09.03.2026

Swear by this recipe!! This has been my go-to year round mac and cheese recipe for years – my family cannot get enough! I love the addition of the butternut squash for some healthier creaminess/flavor. Lately, I have been omitting the sage and thyme for a less fall feel and still tastes great!

I also make this recipe for my sister in law who is gluten and dairy free – she is obsessed! For GF/DF version I use GF baking flour, Bionaturae GF Rice & Lentil Fusilli Pasta, Daiya DF Shredded Cheddar (oak milk cheese tastes like the real thing!), plant based butter and nonflavored almond milk.

Jocelyn Taylor says:

04.11.2025

This was so good. I ended up having to use baby food for the squash puree, as my store was out of butternut squash. Probably would have doubled it the amount since it was baby food. But it still turned out great.

Margo says:

08.10.2024

One of my all time favorite Brocc recipes!! I love adding some sauteed ground italian sausage. It is such a cozy fall dish!

Alana Guevara says:

24.11.2023

I love mac and cheese and this is my new fav recipe. I served it with the TJ’s rosemary croissant croutons crumbled up for Thanksgiving and man, that stepped it up even more!

gurty72 says:

14.11.2023

just made the butternut squash mac n cheese and it was delicious!!!!
my 15yo, who is a self proclaimed conconnoisseur of man n cheese, says it was the absolute best he has ever tasted. and it was.
thank you for the recipe.

broccyourbody says:

14.11.2023

Honored!

Emily Sauer says:

08.11.2023

Perfect fall comfort food. i roasted the butter squash with olive oil and some garlic salt and ended up putting in About 1 cup of my puree and it was sooo good! 10/10. Also would make a great thanksgiving Side

Brittney says:

30.10.2023

My Fiancé wanted to get this from trader joes the other day and i said NO! I have a recipe for it. Made it today and it was unreal. Better than i thought it would be! 🤤

Shauna Chernicoff says:

24.10.2023

This was so good! Added some Breadcrumbs, parm and sage at the end and broiled for a few mins.

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