Winter Squash Mac n’ Cheese - AZ Healthzone

Ingredients

• 4 cups dry macaroni, rotini, or penne pasta (or whole wheat pasta), about 16 ounces
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1½ cups pumpkin or winter squash, pureed (ex. canned or steamed butternut, pumpkin, or acorn squash) See below for instruction on how to steam a winter squash.
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• Bread Crumb Topping (optional):
• ¼ cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup parmesan or other hard cheese, grated
• 2 teaspoons olive oil