Squash and Cheddar Cheese Pasta Sauce - Vegetarian or Chicken
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 15 minutesminutes
A rich and creamy cheese sauce made with old white cheddar and rich Kabocha Squash. Subtly flavoured with nutmeg and brown butter. A delicious main that's easy to prepare. Make it vegetarian or add chicken for a heartier entree. Makes a delicious mac and cheese sauce too!
Servings 6servings
Calories 221kcal
Author Sylvia Eastman
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Ingredients
2tablespoonsbrown butter{You can sub with regular butter if you are in a hurry.)
2tablespoonsflour
1/4teaspoonnutmeg
1cup milk
2cupsold white cheddar cheese, grated
1cup Kabocha Squash, cooked
For meat-eaters
100gram chicken breast, per person
1/2 tablespoonolive oil
1/2tablespoonbrown butter {You can sub with regular butter if you are in a hurry.)
Stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes over medium low heat.
Add in the nutmeg and about half of the milk, stirring and cooking until thickened, about 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining milk.
Turn the heat down to low. Add in about half cup of the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
Add the Kabocha squash, using an immersion blender to combine it with the cheese sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
For the chicken-eaters
Slice the chicken breast in to short strips. Melt the olive oil and brown butter in a frying pan. Pan-fry the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes, turning over about half-way through.
For serving
Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce. Optionally, stir in the chicken. Serve with extra grated cheddar on top, along with fresh ground pepper.
Notes
Substitution for Kabocha Squash or Japanese Pumpkin
If you can't find Kabocha squash you could substitute with butternut squash or Red Kuri squash.
Storage and Reheating
This will store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat it over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to thin it out with some additional milk.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition information is based on the vegetarian version and is an estimate only.