Autumn Mac and Cheese.
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It’s a delicious, creamy dish, with a secret surprise inside…
Who would have ever thought I’d be adding green things to my mac and cheese?
Where, oh where has my little blog gone?
My goal was to create a comforting mac and cheese dish that packed a nutrient-rich punch and a whole slew of delicious autumn flavors. And it worked and worked and worked over again. I should know. I’ve only consumed that entire casserole dish.
Okay that is a tiny fib. I haven’t eaten all of it. Yet.
I’ve let Mr. How Sweet have a few tastes too. But just a few.
He doesn’t like fancy mac and cheese anyway. He only likes noodles + cheese sauce. Plain, plain, plain. That’s the name of Mr. How Sweet’s game. Well, at least it was until this past weekend.
He dug in with a spoon before I was even finished taking pictures. In fact, that very last picture waaaay down there is Mr. How Sweet digging in. Perhaps my foodieness is finally rubbing off on him?
Autumn Mac and Cheese
1 pound whole wheat pasta (I used shells)
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled and chopped into small cubes
1 large apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
2 cups brussels sprouts, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups milk
8 ounces cheese, grated (I used smoked cheddar)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese + more for topping
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lay chopped squash and apples on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Roast for 25 minutes, flipping once.
While the squash is roasting, heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onions and brussels sprouts with a pinch of salt and pan roast for 6-8 minutes, turning frequently. Heat a large pot of water to a boil, and begin to cook your pasta.
Set aside squash/apples and sprouts/onion mixture. If pasta is cooked, set it aside as well. Reduce oven heat to 350.
In a medium saucepan, heat one tablespoon of butter on medium heat and whisk in the flour to create a roux. Add the milk while continuing to whisk, and begin adding cheese as well. I find that adding cheese in batches about 3 minutes apart works best. Continue to whisk together so the cheese melts and doesn’t stick to the bottom. The entire process takes about 10 minutes and you want the heat on medium-low, this will help thicken the cheese sauce. I find you don’t want it too thick, as it will thicken in the over.
Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray. Begin to layer pasta, vegetables and apples, and cheese sauce in batches, just mixing to make sure all is combined. Top with panko and another sprinkling of parmesan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Anyone else’s favorite part the crunchy crust on top? I definitely hurry up and hog that part before someone else can get to it. Bonus points if there’s bacon.
101 Comments on “Autumn Mac and Cheese.”
GREAT JOB! I love this recipe… must try ASAP!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
This is just a gorgeous dish! I’m a big fan of adding tons of veggies to pasta dishes- fills you up without weighing you down! I was wondering what was going on with your blog. I couldn’t comment yesterday despite trying like four times! Glad its back up and rocking :)
You and your brussels sprouts! I like this sneaky way of getting them into dinner. :)
I love how you added so many veggies to this mac and cheese. It’s definitely fancy! This is a perfect chilly weather day meal, or even a great side dish for Thanksgiving.
That looks fantastic – who would have thought of putting green things in mac and cheese? :)
Excellent recipe! What a great way to serve up mac and cheese. I am so impressed with all of your savories these days girl :)
I’m thinking Thanksgiving side dish!
Thanks for sharing…
That looks so good!
jessica, i never thought i’d see the day when homemade mac and cheese would be incorporated with veggies on your blog…but i’m so glad that i did!
This sounds so delicious!! I used to be a Kraft Dinner addict as a kid, but now I can’t imagine eating it. Recipes like yours make KD look SOOO substandard!
Yay for the crumblies on top! Indeed, its the best part! And, bacon– heck to the yes, please!!!
I never thought I’d see the day when you put brussel sprouts on mac & cheese!
OMG love how you put brussel sprouts in…love that! What a great idea, I will have to add that next time I make some mac-and-cheese!
this looks delicious, i am saving this recipe to make asap! i never would have thought to add apple, could you taste it in the final product?
Yep, it is delish!
so interesting, i can’t wait to try this!
Whoa! Sounds fantastic and filling!
Amazing recipe as always. Boy have you been on a brussell sprout kick lately – what’d you do? Buy stock in Brussell Sprouts??
I love the addition of apple. I have my young nephews staying with us with weekend and was thinking of making mac n’ cheese… I wish I knew whether they would go for the veggies because I really want to try this recipe!
Brilliant!! I also commented on your BNS salsa yesterday, but not sure if it went through– it looked awesome! You’re really becoming the queen of fall eats :-)
Amazing! I love this :)
Wow. I don’t know how I feel about chunks of sprouts in my mac and cheese, but the apple part sounds really good. Kinda like the apple pie under cheddar cheese dessert that I eat on Turkey Day.
Looks tasty! I love mixing peas in to my mac and cheese.
yay! I love new mac and cheese recipes!! I too <3 the crunchy top!
I am making this as soon as possible! I’m surprised you didn’t add bacon to it :)
It took all my willpower not to.
Okay if Mr. How Sweet It Is likes it, then I am making this for my boyfriend. He usually isn’t picky but I can see him saying what is that green and orange thing and I do not want to be stuck eating this by myself lol:)
Looks yummy!
It’s healthy because of all the green stuff right? The cheese gets balanced out??
Absolutely.
Yum!! I love mixing veggies in with mac and cheese! That way you can call it a complete meal and only have one dish to wash. :)
this looks so freaking good! Why have I never thought of adding veggies to my mac and cheese?! You are SO smart! And the panko…lovin it!
Yum! Looks great. :)
gimme gimme!!! wowza that sounds like HEAVEN!
What? This is amazing!
I feel like I’ve said this before… you and I would definitely get along sharing a batch of mac & cheese – you could eat all the crunchy off and I’ll go for the luxurious creamy middle… oh YUM. :D
omggggggggggg…this is such a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that you used shells…traps all of the cheezy goodness!
OMG yum – this dish looks amazing! Can you get any more creative? :)
Looks beautiful! And so comforting:) Perfect for fall!
Oh this looks just perfect! When it comes to mac n’ cheese, I guess I’m the opposite of your husband: I can’t make it without sneaking in as many vegetables and “add-ins” as I can think of. Apples and brussel sprouts?! I’ve never tried it, and I can’t wait. I’m book-marking this one. Thanks for sharing :)
All I can say is I have to try this! Honestly, you always have the BEST recipes. I always look forward to your blog everyday!
Thank you SO much. That made my day!
Mr. How Sweet is one lucky man! That looks absolutely delicious…the bread crumbs are a great touch.
Click. Save to Favorites file. Now, just to remember to make this. I love love love casseroles and one dish meals right now.
oh my gosh, this looks amazingly delish! I have some new little dishes that I want to make baked mac and cheese in and I’m totally going to use this recipe!!
Honest to god, every morning, I’m excited to see what recipe you have posted, you are the first site I check every morning. Thanks for all you do to make your bog so awesome. P.S. we all are still waitig for part 2 of your pie crust ;-)
Thank you so much. It is coming!
Pardon the typos, that’s what I get for trying to do this on a phone.
This looks delicious and I don’t even like squash! I’m definitely going to have to get over that and give this a try!
you never cease to amaze me :)
Ohhhh my gosh, this looks good. Seriously, I cannot wait to make this. I, for one, love the idea of a veggie-filled mac n cheese!
I love creative mac and cheese recipes:) Thanks!
I will ABSOLUTELY be making this for my Mr.
Im veg. and he is a carnivore to the core…. and EVERY recipe I get from you (I mostly steal the meat ones) he loveloveloves! So if your meat lovin’ man loves this, i trust mine will too– and Ill be able to eat this one too :)
Mm this looks amazing. I love bulking up mac and cheese (usually just boxed, Annie’s) with frozen organic veggies- easiest healthy meal ever. Yours looks a bit more gourmet. YUM.
Oh man, this looks SO GOOD! I love pasta, brussels, CHEESE! I have to try this. I love bulking up pasta with veggies. Mmmm!
This looks awesome! I love the crunchy part on top too, but seriously need to be sneaking more veggies into my meals. Thanks for the trick!
I have an unhealthy relationship with crunchy toppings. I want them all to myself. It’s not fair really, I should let the crunchy topping have its own friends and hobbies. But I just love them so much!
I like the brussels sprouts idea…might have to steal that one. :)