Recipe for a squash macaroni and cheese

A macaroni and cheese recipe with a hidden healthy vegetable, squash!

The orange color of the flesh from the butternut squash and its sweet taste make this macaroni and cheese dish a favorite for kids! All the appearance of a traditional macaroni and cheese but this recipe includes heathy, mashed squash, concealed in the macaroni and cheese by the color! Another healthy option is to use sweet potatoes instead.

Ingredients for four guests:

* 1 1/2 cup whole wheat macaroni elbows
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 cups diced butternut squash, peeled
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
* 1 cup grated orange sharp cheddar cheese
* 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Procedure:

Step 1: Boiling the pasta, and mixing with butter

1) In a pot of boiling water, cook the macaroni for about 8 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain the macaroni and return to pot. Add butter and stir to coat the macaroni.

Step 2: Cooking the squash

2) Meanwhile, in another pot filled with water, bring to a boil the squash and cook for about 15 minutes or until very tender. Drain squash and return to pot. Add milk and garlic and mix with a hand blender or potato masher until mixture is creamy.

Step 3: Finishing touches

3) Pour the squash and milk mixture in the pot with the pasta.

4) Sprinkle the grated cheddar and Parmesan over the pasta and gently toss to coat, heating everything up until the cheese melts completely.

Serve this macaroni and cheese with squash; kids or guests won't be disappointed!