I was one of the lucky bloggers to receive a 4 piece set of CW by CorningWare and I’ll be giving away a 2.5 Quart Vermillion Baker from CW by CorningWare so be sure to enter below. The baking dish is microwave and oven safe, always a bonus!
These aren’t the usual white baking dishes I have in the cupboard. Nothing against traditional dishes but these are a fun way to serve up dinner! Emily and I are BIG fans of teal so we were both excited when we found the 3-qt. Pool Baker. We knew right away we’d be making homemade mac and cheese in this beauty. She requests mac and cheese all the time for dinner so she can take it to school the next day in her thermos.
I’ve gone through my share of runny, bland, weird textured mac and cheese. Here are a few tips to ensure a perfect result every time!
Old/Sharp cheese = more cheese flavor. Leave the mozza for your pizza.
Don’t skimp on salt. If your sauce doesn’t taste cheesy enough, try adding a bit more salt before you start grating more cheese.
Whole milk is best. Let’s be honest, we’re using a lot of cheese here. Don’t be concerned with a low fat milk at this point. Warm whole milk is even better. It will blend a lot easier when you add it to the butter and flour mixture.
Whisk, then whisk some more. Really get the butter and flour mixture worked together before adding the milk and salt. Whisking constantly will ensure you have no lumps and bumps.
Below you’ll find a recipe for the most delicious butternut squash mac and cheese. Feel free to substitute the squash for other vegetables or even some smoky bacon. I’ve found the combination of sharp Cheddar and Pecorino Romano give the best results.
Contest is open to Canadian addresses only, no PO boxes please.
- 1 Butternut squash, roasted
- 8 oz dry macaroni or other similar noodles.
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- 1 tsp kosher salt (or ½ tsp table salt)
- 3 cups grated sharp Cheddar
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Optional toppings:
- Panko bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Cook the noodles as directed on the package. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile in a medium sauce pan add the whole milk and heat on low.
- In another large sauce pan melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 3 minutes until slightly browned.
- Slowly pour the milk into the butter mixture about a cup at a time until fully incorporated. Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Add the salt and stir.
- Add all the cheese and stir until it's melted in.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir. Fold in the butternut squash.
- Serve as is or place it all in a baking dish and top with panko and parmesan cheese. Broil until golden brown.
A little milk can be added if your sauce is a bit too thick.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by World Kitchen and I have been compensated monetarily and with product. Opinions are all mine.
Joanna says
I would make a lasagna!
Denise M says
i would make baked ziti
Joan says
It’s nice to see a healthy recipe for such a much loved dish. The old mac and cheese kicked up a notch. I am making this for my daycare kids, I will let you know what each one of them says. I better make a big dish as I know they will say, can we have more ?
Judith says
I’d make an apple crisp!
Joan Kubes says
I would make my favorite cheesy ham with potatoes.
Ashlee murracas says
Peach crisp! Yummy
Cheryl says
This sounds delicious! Besides this dish I would make mashed cauliflower shepherd’s pie.
karen says
I’d make a tomato gratin
Al Olson says
I would make pepper and lemon chicken wings as an appetizer before dinner.
Brenda Penton says
I’d make spaghetti squash casserole
Annette says
I’d make a pumpkin dessert – it’s sort of a crumble and so yummy.
manda says
I would make lasagna
The Zoo Family Daycare says
We would make gingerbread cookies.
Belinda McNabb says
the first thing I would make would be cheesy scalloped potatoes
Karla Sceviour says
ohhh,I`d make my delicious shephards pie,,what a pretty dish!
Lushka Smith says
I think I might make a bread pudding.
Such a lovely colour
Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Thanksgiving.
Merry120 says
Sweet potato casserole! Yum!
Dee de los Santos says
I would make spinach and gruyere gratin! <3
Julie D says
What a gorgeous dish! I’d make Michael Smith’s potluck potatoes (aka scalloped potatoes). They’re deelish!
Christina says
I would make lazy cabbage rolls!
Rhonda says
I’d make your Squash Mac and Cheese recipe with a side of banana bread LOL
janet @ the taste space says
Lovely. So many things to try, it is so versatile. How about an enchilada casserole first!
Lillian T says
I would make my favourite casserole dish or a lasagna!
andrea amy says
I would make a bacon crumb crusted mac & cheese casserole 🙂
Deborah G. says
I would make beef enchiladas!
Wanda says
I would make lasagna or mac n cheese!
Samara Giesbrecht says
I would try this recipe! Or a big batch of nachos!
Glogirl says
I would make an apple crisp with the apples from our own trees.
Stacey Roberson says
I would make some baked cinnamon apples.
Fareen says
I would make some cinnamon rolls!