These sweet, stuffed squash are the perfect comforting meal or side for a chilly fall night.
Mac & Cheese-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon plus
- 1⁄2 teaspoon chopped fresh sage, divided
- 1 tablespoon plus 1⁄2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, divided
- 3 1⁄4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- 4 medium acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- 1⁄4 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
- 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh Swiss chard
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups warm whole milk
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 1⁄2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
- 1⁄3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together oil, 1⁄2 teaspoon sage, 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper; brush onto all sides of squash. Place squash, cut side down, on prepared pan.
- Bake until tender, about 30 minutes. Leave oven on.
- In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions, adding 1 teaspoon salt. Drain, and return to pot.
- In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, chard, 1 teaspoon salt, remaining 1 tablespoon sage, and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme; cover and cook until chard is wilted, about 3 minutes. Add to cooked pasta.
- In same skillet, melt remaining 1⁄4 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in warm milk, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in Gruyère and Italian cheese until smooth. Pour cheese sauce over pasta mixture, and stir until combined.
- Turn squash, cut sides up, on pan. Divide pasta mixture among squash halves. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
- Bake until bread crumbs are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
