Healthy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Ever heard the saying, don't judge a book by it's cover.  We'll  that applies here.  Don't judge this healthy, vegetarian, gluten free version of Mac & Cheese by my iPhone picture.  

Mac Squash & Cheese is not a pretty food, but it is healthy, delicious, kid friendly, and as my husband stated "surprisingly good."

I full on realize that this picture is not amazing, but this dish is.  After only a few bites my husband stated that he was a skeptic when I told him what I was attempting for dinner, but that it is surprisingly good and we can put it in the rotation.  

Yes, you heard that right.  A man, that loves meat, loved this vegetarian dish so much that he isn't just okay with it replacing our Mac and Cheese slot on the rotation (b/c  homemade Mac and Cheese is delicious and should be on everyone's rotation), but he wants it to replace it.  

Sure, you may hear that and think well maybe her Mac & Cheese isn't all that stellar.  However, that would be incorrect.  

My mac and cheese is banging.  It's way better than Noodles & Company or any other restaurant known to have delicious mac and cheese.  I'm not trying to brag, but I am being honest.

You can make this recipe and replace the squash with macaroni and have the delicious mac and cheese I'm talking about.

However, this recipe Mac Squash & Cheese is for all those individuals that want the delicious home good comfort food of mac and cheese, but a lot healthier.  This meal won't leave you feeling heavy like pasta noodles can.

There are 3 basic steps to this tasty dinner. 

Step 1: Cook your spaghetti squash.  Reference this post if you need a spaghetti squash refresher.  

Step 2: Make your cheese deliciousness.  

Step 3: Combine the cheese and noodles in a 2 qt. baking dish, top it with bread crumbs, and cook for 20 minutes.

You may need to trust me on this.  Squash and Cheese is delicious!  It actually has a bit sweeter of a taste b/c of the spaghetti squash noodles, and who doesn't like a bit sweeter.  

To be honest I don't think I can say if I like mac and cheese or squash and cheese better.  They are both delicious but different enough that they are hard to compare.

There will always be a special place in my heart for my Mac &Cheese. 

However, I will say that I love how I feel after I eat squash and cheese.  It is much healthy, still scrumptious, and the leftovers are excellent.  For all of those reasons squash and cheese will also have a special place in my heart; it helps my skinny jeans look that much better.

Just FYI. this is a prefect meal to make ahead and then throw it in the oven just before dinner.  

Squash & Cheese

Alohamora Open a Book

Active Time: 30 mins 

Inactive Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients: 

1 cooked spaghetti squash (medium to large spaghetti squash)

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c. flour (use gluten free flour if you need/want)

1/4 c. diced onion

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 pepper
2 c. milk (I use fat free for health reasons, but any milk will work)
2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (can do a mixture of cheeses you prefer)

1/4 c.breadcrumbs

Instructions: 

1. Prepare and cook your spaghetti squash at 350 for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your squash.  When the squash is tender proceed to fork out the noodle like strings and put them in a 2 quart baking dish.  If you are afraid of the squash you can cook 8 oz (1/2 box) of macaroni until it is al dente and follow the remaining steps.  
2. Turn oven temp down to 320. 
3. Over low to medium heat place the diced onion and the minced garlic in a large saucepan.  Throw in your butter and stir until melted.  Once melted stir flour into the butter mixture until smooth (take less than a minute). 
4. Quickly stir in the dry mustard, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed in to the thick paste like mixture.  You can remove the pan from the stove while you measure out the spices.   
5. Add the milk and stir the mixture constantly over the low to medium heat until it thickens.  
6. Finally, add cheese and continue to stir and cook it until melted. 
7. With the squash in a 2 qt. baking dish pour the cheese mixture over the squash.  Stir to combine everything, and top it with the breadcrumbs.  
8. Bake at 320 uncovered for 20 minutes. 
9. Enjoy 

Give this Squash and Cheese a shot.  The picture may not look like a million bucks, but it'll leave you feeling like a million bucks.