This post has been sponsored by Ontario Apple Growers. As always, all opinions are our own.
Did you know there are actually FIVE seasons?
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and our favourite, Mac and Cheese Season! And guess which one we are in now?!
It’s no secret we love ourselves a good mac and cheese. And we are not alone. At a recent conference, everyone was asked to share their absolute favourite meal. And all of them included some sort of carb and cheese. Because what is more satisfying than that?!
But this version here is special. It plays up one of my all time favourite flavour combos, the sweet and salty combo. You’ve got salty creamy cheese, savoury caramelized onions, and sweet and delicious apples. But not just any apples, Ontario Gala Apples.
I recently had the opportunity to join Ontario Apple Growers and visit some of our finest apple orchards. There isn’t much that tastes better than a fresh and crispy apple right off the tree.
Who Are Ontario Apple Growers?
Ontario Apple Growers represent Ontario Apple Farmers with 10 acres of orchard or more and have approximately 230 members. There are 15 different main varieties of apples grown in Ontario with the top five being McIntosh, Gala, Empire, Red Delicious, and Northern Spy. And don’t ask me to pick a favourite – I couldn’t do it!
And in this recipe, the apple adds such an unexpected sweetness and crunch to this baked mac and cheese. This is such a great dish to add to your weekend meal prep list. You can prep the whole thing ahead of time and bake it off when you are ready to eat. Or make up a double batch and keep one in your freezer for one of those crazy nights – you know what I’m talking about.
I never know how my kids are going to feel about a casserole type dish like this, so I used our no-fail family meal strategy and set aside some plain macaroni, some grated cheese, and sliced apples for them. But kids are always surprising you and my five year old could not get enough of this dish. But if they refuse it, no sweat. More for you!
Take advantage of our favourite season, which so happens to coincide with apple season, and bake up a batch (or two!) of this mac and cheese today!
Dara
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Apples
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Main Dish |
Misc | Freezable, Pre-preparable |
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed)
- 2 Tbsp canola oil (divided)
- 1 vidalia onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 Large or two small gala apples (peeled and chopped)
- 375g macaroni noodles
- 1 1/2 Cups old cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1/2 Tsp salt
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 Tbsp parsley (chopped)
Note
Feel free to use any pasta you have on hand in place of the macaroni. This pasta can be made a day or two ahead of time and baked off when you are ready to eat it. It can also be frozen prior to baking - simply defrost in the fridge overnight and bake when ready to eat as instructed.
Directions
1. | Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place squash halves cut side down on baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until tender. |
2. | Meanwhile, heat large skillet over medium low heat and add 1 tbsp canola oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until very soft and lightly brown. Add apple and remove from heat and set aside. |
3. | While squash is roasting and onions are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside. |
4. | When squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out flesh into a large bowl and add milk, cheddar cheese and salt. Using an immersion blender, blend squash mixture until creamy and smooth. |
5. | In a large bowl combine squash mixture, macaroni, and caramelized onion and apple. Mix to combine and place in a greased 9 x 13 pyrex. |
6. | In a small bowl mix together panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley and remaining tablespoon of canola oil. Sprinkle over macaroni to evenly cover the top. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and then switch oven to broil and broil for one minute, until brown. |
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