Vegan Butternut Squash Mac Cheese (Printable Format)
Silky dairy-free mac with roasted butternut squash and bold, savory flavors for a comforting meal.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or other short pasta
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small butternut squash (1.5 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cubed
03 - 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled
→ Sauce Base
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1½ cups unsweetened soy or oat milk
07 - 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
10 - ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
13 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Topping (optional)
14 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss butternut squash cubes, chopped onion, and garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the squash is soft and starts to caramelize.
03 - Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
04 - In a blender, combine roasted vegetables, soy or oat milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, turmeric, smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Pour in the blended sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until heated through.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
07 - For a crunchy finish, preheat the broiler. Toss panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle over the pasta mixture, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.
08 - Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra black pepper or fresh herbs.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It tastes indulgent and creamy without any dairy, so everyone at the table can enjoy it.
- The roasted squash adds natural sweetness and a gorgeous orange hue that makes even picky eaters curious.
- Its easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party.
02 -
- Dont skip roasting the squash, onion, and garlic together; the caramelization is what gives the sauce its rich, savory flavor instead of tasting one-note sweet.
- Blend the sauce longer than you think you need to, at least a full minute, to get that ultra-smooth texture that clings to the pasta perfectly.
03 -
- Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs if you need this to be gluten-free, and it will taste just as amazing.
- Taste the sauce before mixing it with the pasta and adjust the salt, lemon, or nutritional yeast to your preference; this is your chance to make it perfect.