Every now and again inspiration strikes. I was feeling pretty down Tuesday. J called and asked if I’d thought about what we might want to do for Bible Study dinner. We’ve gotten into a good pattern since J started hosting at his house where he cleans, preps for the hour before study and I go home and prepare a meal. It works for us and I really enjoy the challenge of making food that will feed 10 people on a budget. Like I said, I was feeling pretty grumpy, so when J called I told him that, yes, I had thought about dinner, but, no, I hadn’t come to any conclusions. He said we’d order pizza, a practice that we’ve really tried to get away from.
So, I got off the phone and asked my colleagues what I could possibly make that would be cheap and would feed many. Our wonderful IT guy, Michael, said “macaroni with hot dogs!” And suddenly my sad, self-pitying soul said, “Yes! Feed the hole in my heart with cheese and noodles!”
After some noodling (pardon the pun), this is what I came up with. Not exactly mac and hot dogs, but close. Also, it’s a variation on Nanni’s Mac-and-Cheese, that the family loves.
Butternut Squash, Bacon, Rosemary Macaroni and Cheese
1 9 by 13 Baking Dish, Greased
1 Box of Whole Wheat Elbow Noodles
½ Butternut Squash, Peeled and Cubed
6 Strips of Thick Cut Bacon
½ Yellow Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Package of Colby Jack Cheese Cubed
3 Cups Whole Milk
6 Tsp Flour
1 Tbsp Dried or Fresh Rosemary
2 Cups Seasoned Bread Crumbs
Total Time: 60 min. Time in Oven: 30 min.
Cook temp: 375 F
Boil water for pasta and steaming butternut squash. While water is heating up, cut up and peel squash and add prepped squash to steamer. Steam for at least 15 minutes. (You could also roast the squash, but it would take a bit longer.) Boil noodles.
- While squash is steaming and noodles are cooking, cook all of the bacon. Dice the onion and garlic.
- Drain noodles. Mix in the onion, the garlic, the squash, ½ of the chopped bacon, and ¾ of the cheese. Spread evenly in cooking dish. Poor milk into the casserole. The milk should come up to right before the top of the noodles, but should not cover the noodles.
- Dust the top of the macaroni with flour. Top with bread crumbs, rosemary, remaining bacon and remaining cheese.
- Place in heated oven and allow to cook for 30-45 minutes.
Enjoy!