Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese for Kids-Little Sprouts Learning (original) (raw)
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There is nothing kids love more than mac and cheese, but this butternut squash mac and cheese packs some serious veggie power without turning off picky eaters. It makes the perfect kid friendly fall dinner too!
I love finding ways to add healthy ingredients into kid’s food. I want all of my kids to grow strong and have all the nutrients they need for optimal development. Many times, kids don’t prefer a lot of vegetables, so finding ways to add veggie puree into meals makes me a happy girl. And there are a few tips that can help you get your child to eat healthier, check them out here.
After 28 years of running a home daycare, I’ve seen all kinds of eaters, and I know how to feed the pickiest at least something. Here are more ideas for dinner that might work with picky eaters.
How to cook butternut squash
Cooking hard winter squashes can be tough because cutting them is hard! Especially without cutting your arm off. But I have a great tip that will help you cook it. Just wash it off and toss it in the oven whole. Bake at 375 until It’s fork-tender. It may take 45 minutes or longer depending on size.
Once the butternut squash is soft, set it out to cool. In about 30 minutes, you can just slide the peels right off. Cut it in half and carefully scoop out the seeds and then it’s ready to puree. Much easier than cutting raw and scooping out seeds.
I love making recipes that hide veggies. Even the pickiest eater needs vegetables and pureeing them and adding them to sauces is a wonderful way to give them some that they can’t even taste. I just ate this mac and cheese for lunch and I could not tell there was squash in it at all. It makes a great meatless meal too!
I love to add shredded veggies into spaghetti sauce or grind up some veggies in a fruit smoothie. I hide veggies around every corner.
If you want more ideas on hiding vegetables, check this post out and if you want to learn how to make green powder that looks like flecks of herbs, check this one out.
I came up with this butternut squash puree mac and cheese and served it for lunch today and it was so good. All the kids enjoyed it and most had seconds. I enjoyed it too, even though pasta is not my favorite.
Butternut squash is the perfect color to blend into a cheese sauce, so it was a no brainer. This makes a great comfort food dish for the whole family.
Butternut squash mac and cheese toddler
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese made with butternut squash puree that you would never even know was there. Extra veggies for you without sacraficing taste. It's so yummy!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butternut squash, butternut squash mac and cheese, mac and cheese
Servings: 8
1 med butternut squash, cooked
1 1/2 c chicken stock
1 lb pasta
4 T butter
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
2 c whole milk
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 c shredded gouda cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Place cooked butternut squash in the blender with chicken stock.
Cook pasta and drain.
In the empty pasta pan, melt butter and add garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and milk.
Cook and stir until it starts to bubble.
Sprinkle in cheese a handful at a time and stir well.
Pour in butternut puree and mix well.
Pour in pasta and stir to coat. Serve warm.
If you are looking for inspiration for great meal ideas for young kids, check out this collection of Daycare Lunches for toddlers and preschoolers (even the picky ones!). Easy, simple, and tasty enough for the whole family to enjoy!
Butternut squash recipes for toddlers
If you have grown a ton of summer or winter squash in your garden, find out what to do with excess squash here.
For more ideas for Picky Eater Approved Meals (That Aren’t Junk Food), check this out. Or 30 Daycare Meal Ideas Kids Actually Eat.