Baked Protein Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash
Thanksgiving · Side dish
Protein in every serving
Made with Mega Mac
Creamy cheddar pasta, sweet roasted squash, and a little golden crunch on top. Two boxes of Mega Mac turn into a Thanksgiving bake that earns a spot beside the traditional sides.
- Prep
- 15 minutes
- Cook
- 35 minutes
- Total
- 50 minutes
- Makes
- 6 generous side-dish servings
Times are approximate; use the texture and temperature cues in the recipe.
Mac and cheese, dressed for Thanksgiving
Roasted butternut squash brings a little sweetness to the cheese sauce, while chopped spinach folds into the warm pasta without needing a separate pan. A light panko topping adds the crisp finish.
Use both complete Mega Mac kits, including all of the cheese powder. The brief final bake is just long enough to heat everything together. Keep the pasta slightly firm and the sauce a little loose going in so the finished dish stays creamy.
The recipe
Baked Protein Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash
6 generous side-dish servings · 50 minutes total
Mega Mac: 2 complete boxes · 6 product servings in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 complete boxes Mega Mac , Cheesy Cheese flavor, including both pasta portions and all cheese powder
- 2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 280 g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided, plus a little for the baking dish
- 2 packed cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/3 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pasta cooking water, reserved as directed below
Use all the pasta and all the cheese powder from both boxes.
Instructions
- Roast the squash. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the squash with 2 teaspoons olive oil and the pepper on a sheet pan. Roast for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until tender and lightly golden. Reduce the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta while the squash roasts. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta from both boxes according to the packages, stopping at the earliest al dente time so it still has a little bite. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water before draining.
- Make the sauce and combine. Off the heat, prepare the cheese sauce with all the powder from both kits and the amount of reserved pasta water directed on your packages. Whisk in the warm milk. Fold in the drained pasta, spinach, and roasted squash. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until creamy and slightly looser than you want to serve it; the oven will thicken it.
- Top and bake. Transfer to the baking dish. Toss the panko with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and paprika, then scatter over the pasta. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the center reaches 165°F (74°C). Serve while creamy.
A few useful details
Buy pre-cut squash. Cut any large store-bought pieces down to 1/2 inch so they roast within the listed time.
The package directions lead. Use the preparation directions on your Mega Mac boxes for the initial sauce; keep extra pasta water for adjusting the bake.
Prep components ahead. Roast the squash a day ahead and refrigerate. Warm it before folding into freshly prepared pasta; save the final bake for serving time.
Use White Cheddar if you prefer. Swap both boxes to White Cheddar Mega Mac. The method stays the same, but the finished sauce will be paler than the photo.
What the Booster adds
Two complete boxes contain six product servings. Divided into six equal portions, the Mega Mac contributes approximately 21 g protein per portion, based on the current product listing. This is the contribution from the complete Mega Mac kit, not just its cheese powder, and does not include the added milk or vegetables.
Storing and serving
Refrigerate within 2 hours in shallow containers and use within 3–4 days, counting from the oldest cooked component. Reheat covered with a splash of milk until 165°F (74°C) throughout.
Make it with Meal Boosters
Start with two complete boxes.
Mega Mac supplies the pasta and cheese blend. Add squash, spinach, and a crisp topping for the holiday table.
Shop Mega MacAllergen note: Contains milk and wheat. The cheese blend contains collagen and is not vegetarian.