We ate pizza and black and white cookies and drank wine and sang karaoke. The best part was when all of the guys sang "I Want it That Way" and knew every word!!! Then we went to Brother Jimmy's where Kristen knew most everyone there so we got half off our loaded nachos and got free pickleback shots. Basically, New York City is insane on Halloween! The subways were completely full like they are at rush hour, but it was 2 AM, and almost everyone was in costume!
Mac and cheese falls into the category of one of my favorite foods of ALL time. I love making quick stovetop mac and cheese, like this one, but if you have time baked mac and cheese is even better. The butternut squash adds the flavor of fall and adds a touch of sweetness to the mac and cheese. It also allows the recipe to be slightly healthier than normal because it contains less cheese since the squash replaces it. This was so yummy and if you love mac and cheese, you should try it!!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese (serves 2-3)
Ingredients:
- ½ butternut squash
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tbl. butter
- 2 tsp. flour
- 6 oz. cheddar
- 8 oz. pasta shells
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp. paprika
Directions: Slice butternut squash in half, and remove outer skins. Dice one half of the squash into small cubes. In a large skillet, drizzle olive oil and cook butternut squash over medium heat, stirring periodically, until lightly browned on the outside. While squash is cooking, cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside. Season squash with salt and pepper to taste, and mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Remove from pan and place in small bowl.
In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour until thick. Add milk, paprika, and bay leaf, and continue stirring. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Slowly add in cheese, a little at a time, and continue stirring until melted, for a few minutes. Remove bay leaf. Add mashed butternut squash to cheese mixture. Combine pasta with cheese-squash mixture, and top with fresh herbs of choice!