Upgrade Boxed Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash & Sage

Upgrade boxed mac & cheese with butternut squash and sage. This halfway homemade recipe has great fall flavors fresh from the farmer’s market. Make it extra fun by serving it in roasted acorn squash!

I’m all about easy weekday recipes made with fresh produce. Now that fall is here, our farmers market is filling up with root vegetables and squash. One of our favorite farmers markets in San Francisco is the Mission & 22nd market on Thursday afternoons. It’s small, but has a great variety, live music and there are always a bunch of vendors serving food.

I stopped by on my way home from work the other day to pick up some fresh veggies for our weeknight meals.

Farmer’s market veggies added to boxed macaroni and cheese is such a fun way to add a little seasonal flavor to an easy meal. The only macaroni and cheese I’ll ever buy is Annie’s Homegrown. It has no artificial flavors, synthetic colors, or preservatives. The pasta is organic and the cheese comes from cows that aren’t treated with growth hormone. It’s a far cry from the bright orange chalky stuff I grew up with. Their shells and white cheddar is seriously bomb.

I’m not alone in my undying love for Annie’s macaroni and cheese. If you want a few laughs, check out the reviews for their shells and white cheddar. “Never go back, Annie’s for president!” Bahaha! With so many mac & cheese fans out there, it’s no surprise that Annie’s coined #MixInMonday as a way to sweeten up the start of the work week by sharing delicious mac & cheese mix-in’s. This one is my seasonal take on the tradition!

On any weeknight, it will be easy to whip up a batch of this fancy macaroni and cheese. Unlike so many summer vegetables, squash will keep for several weeks out of the fridge. That means you can shop in advance so there are no last minute trips to the grocery store for supplies after work!

To keep the sage fresh, wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in the fridge in a plastic bag. You can even freeze sage. Wash and chop it, let dry, and place in heavy duty freeze bags until you are ready to use it.

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Upgrade Boxed Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash & Sage

Upgrade Boxed Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash & Sage

Upgrade boxed mac & cheese with butternut squash and sage. This halfway homemade recipe has great fall flavors fresh from the farmer’s market. Make it extra fun by serving it in roasted acorn squash!

• Author: Kelly Egan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 3 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 3 whole acorn squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• Annie’s Homegrown Shells & White Cheddar or other boxed macaroni & cheese
• 3 tablespoons milk, if using Annie’s macaroni & cheese
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400° F (use convection if you have it). Slice the pointed bottom off the acorn squash so it will sit level. Use a paring knife to remove the top and a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp. Place acorn squash in an oiled baking dish. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until inside flesh is fork tender.
2. Meanwhile, oil a baking sheet and add butternut squash. Drizzle with more olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 30-40 minutes, until fork tender.
3. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped sage and stir constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it starts to darken.
4. Make macaroni and cheese according to package directions
5. Stir in butternut squash and sage. Top with breadcrumbs and serve.

Farmer’s market photos by the talented Melissa de Mata for A Side of Sweet.

Need some easy weeknight dinner inspiration? Pin this halfway homemade macaroni & cheese recipe for later:

This post was sponsored by Annie’s Homegrown, a brand I love and trust. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to bring you beautiful content! Wondering why I do sponsored posts? Read here.