Kicked up with chipotle pepper and bacon and made extra-creamy from butternut squash, this mac ‘n’ cheese will soon become your new addiction!
All hail the CHEESE to celebrate the fact that the week is not even half over. Bring it on.
Just to preface a little bit, you are probably either going to hate me or love me after we’re through with this post. And it’s all this mac ‘n’ cheese’s fault. Blame the cheese, the bacon, and all the 10034 other things I packed into one innocent pan of mac.
If you’re in the “hate me” category, then it’s probably because you realize there’s no fighting the mac and you just subject yourself to the fact that you WILL eat tons if not all of it. And diets are a completely foreign word here today.
But if you’re in the “love me” category? You understand that all of the above statistics are a GOOD thing. You embrace them and the mac. You’re my kind of person. 😀
So the point to all that rambling above? It’s that I come bearing the best mac ‘n’ cheese my face has met in a looooong time. And truthfully as of lately, this mac has met my face more times then I care to admit. ?
It’s got bacon. It’s got chipotle because I’m recently obsessed. It’s got a plethora of cheese to cool down the chipotle kick. Heck I even threw butternut squash into the mix, because it is the BOMB in mac! Honest, don’t judge it til you end up eating the whole pan.
Which if you don’t, I totally will. Don’t make me do it.
Lookit all that cheesy love, guys. Are you feeling all the cheese feels as much as I am right now?
So freaking good. Don’t look at me now because I’m divin’ in. ???
Facefirst. See ya.
Chipotle Bacon Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups 1/2-in cubed butternut squash
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 6 strips bacon cooked and diced
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, saute butternut squash in olive oil, stirring occasionally until squash is very tender, about 8-10 minutes. Remove squash from pan to a small bowl and wipe pan clean.
- In same saucepan, melt butter over medium heat then whisk in flour. Slowly add milk and half-and-half, whisking constantly until smooth and combined. Bring sauce to a low simmer over medium heat until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, chipotle, nutmeg, and cooked butternut squash. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer sauce to a high-speed blender and blend on high speed until sauce is completely smooth.
- Meanwhile, place pasta in a greased 9×13 baking pan. Pour sauce over top and stir to coat. Sprinkle cooked bacon on top and sprinkle breadcrumbs over all.
- Bake mac ‘n’ cheese at 375F 15-20 minutes or until topping is golden and sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes, then serve hot. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Who’s ready to go live in the land of mac?
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I wish I could reach through my screen and grab a bowl for breakfast! I’ve been seeing butternut suash mac ‘n cheese everywhere lately, so I need to try some! Your version with bacon sounds SO good!
Sarah says
I’m SO down with this mac ‘n’ cheese being breakfast! Why didn’t I think of that?? 😉 Thanks Gayle!
Chelsea@RunningWithaWhisk says
Ha! I love that you mentioned we WILL eat a lot of this if not the entire pan. I am powerless over a big bowl of mac ‘n cheese. This recipe looks absolutely fabulous!
Sarah says
Right?? The mac ‘n’ cheese struggle is REAL! 😉 Thanks Chelsea!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
I am a pasta-holic! Butternut squash, chipotle, and bacon are an irresistible combo in mac ‘n cheese. I’m dying to have this for breakfast right now.
Sarah says
I’m right there with ‘ya on being a pasta crazy lady. 😉
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
Holy damn, girl! You’ve just managed to put all my favourite things into one delicious title. This sounds incredible!
Sarah says
Haha! Thank you so much girlie! xoxo 🙂
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
Squashes and sweet potatoes are always one of my favorite pairings with bacon! And I have to say chipotle and cheese are very welcome additions to the mix!
Sarah says
Anything goes with bacon, right?? Thanks Mary!
marcie says
I love butternut squash mac ‘n cheese, and I think adding bacon and chipotle to the mix can only make it better (maybe about 100 times better)! This looks so creamy and delicious, Sarah!
Sarah says
Aw thanks so much Marcie!!
Ashley says
Chipotle peppers are just the best! I love their smokiness! And this mac and cheese sounds fantastic – especially with the butternut squash!!
Sarah says
Oh gosh, YES! The smokiness is the best part about chipotles!
mira says
Definitely not in the “hate you” camp! Love mac and cheese and have been thinking to make some! This looks perfect, packed with awesome ingredients! Pinning!
Sarah says
Yay!! Thanks Mira! I hope you love it!
Annie says
Gimme all that cheesy carby goodness!! Yes!!
Sarah says
Thanks Annie! xoxo
Amanda says
Those chipotle chilies sound so good in this Mac and Cheese. I’m afraid to try this because I might eat the whole pan myself. ? Is that a bad thing?
Sarah says
Haha! It’s definitely a distinct possibility, but TOTALLY worth it!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I am FIRMLY in the “love you” camp right now, especially as I drool all over this delicious mac and cheese. I’m totally making a big dish of this ASAP. That cheesy goodness is calling my name…loudly.
Sarah says
Woot! You will totally love this mac, Rachel! LMK how it turns out!
Anne says
This looks absolutely wonderful!!! Can I please stuff the whole thing in my mouth??(Don’t judge me…)
Sarah says
Haha! NO judgement from me, because I kinda did the same thing!
Anne says
This looks absolutely wonderful!!! Can I please stuff the whole thing in my mouth??(Don’t judge me…)