I might be a bit late posting this but I did bake the Martha Monday Project. Martha’s Healthy Macaroni and Cheese was picked by Robyn of Robyn’s Nest.
I was excited to try this recipe because, well, I like mac and cheese. So does my daughter. A lot! Our favorite recipe is Ina Gartens recipe, All Grown Up Mac and Cheese. It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh so fattening.
So I thought it would be fun to make this recipe and not tell anyone it had squished squash in it. I felt a little like Jessica Seinfield. She’s the one who wrote the cookbook Deceptively Delicious about sneaking veggies into your meals.
Yep,I snuck squash into the mac and cheese. I boiled butternut squash with some milk and chicken stock, smashed it, and added it to cooked pasta, ricotta, and cheddar. Then I baked them in my cute new little dishes.
We loved it! I’m happy to report, my daughter had no idea there was any squash in it what so ever…until I told her.
Then she said she knew. She went to bite into a cheesy spot and it wasn’t cheesy. She thought What??? Maybe if I hadn’t said anything she wouldn’t have caught on so quickly. She did come back for seconds as did the rest of us!
I would definitely make this again. I didn’t add the breadcrumb topping. I’m sure it added a delicious layer, but I got lazy. I did grate a bit of Parmesan cheese over the top.
Healthy Macaroni and Cheese
By Martha Stewart
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine squash, stock, and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash contents of saucepan; stir in nutmeg, cayenne, and salt, and season with black pepper. Stir to combine.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add noodles; cook according to package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl; stir in squash mixture, cheddar, ricotta, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Lightly coat a 9-inch-square baking dish (4 inches deep) with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodle mixture.
Cover with aluminum foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 30 to 40 minutes more. Serve immediately.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m loving your healthy stuff!! I’m going to make this too. I made the oatmeal chocolate chip bars yesterday and they are super yummy!
I love your cute new dishes! We liked it too and my daughter and hubz went for seconds. I like finding new ways to use squash that she’ll eat. I was waiting for your post on this to see how good yours looks!
Mega, your mac n’ cheese looks delicious and I love your photos. Your new dishes are wonderful. I love your blog and will be back often.
I should try this out on my husband! It looks fantastic!
This looks delicious! I’m all about making mac and cheese a littler healthier. BTW is there an Ina recipe that isn’t crazy fattening?
Great idea to include butternut squash in the mac and cheese! I think my daughter would know too and would love it – especially because butternut squash is actually her favorite veggie.
sounds awesome!!
Ooooh! I LOVE this- Mac ‘n’ cheese is one of my favorite foods on earth, but the real deal is so fatty I rarely eat it. This would be a great way to put it in my rotation a little more frequently!
Love your healthy version! The dishes are super cute too!
I would definitely love this! Squash and all! I also love your little dishes.
A healthy mac and cheese recipe that’s delicious! Sounds like I’d better give it a try! Love the cute new dishes!
this looks wonderful! and how healthy. i love your cute little dishes!
LOL, I had to laugh at you and your daughter. I’ve done that to the kids and they always say that they knew. One of the twins is very good at discerning recipe changes but the other two not so much.
I love your little pots. I actually put two of them in my cart when I was at World Market today but then put them back. After seeing how well they worked for you, I wish I went ahead and bought them. Guess I need to go back…..I do have a coupon.
~ingrid
What a great recipe! Love the that it’s healthy, but still kid friendly. Your little casserole dishes are SO cute!
You know…I’m going to have to try this on Ole Sweetie-Pi. He won’t go near squash, or says he won’t. I’ll be happy when I sneak this past him hahahahaha Love it!
I love that there is butternut squash in it!!!
I love your cute little dishes too! I like all the different colors. Congrats on making a healthy mac n cheese. I’ve been trying to “get healthy” lately and have really found myself enjoying some of these healthier recipes -maybe a little too much
I love the phrase, “squished-squash”. So cool. And you’re right. It’s the perfect way to add veggies into a dish when your family members don’t especially like veggies. So smart.
This is good