This One Ingredient Is How You Get Next-Level Mac and Cheese

The Thanksgiving table excites multiple senses with festive colors, divine aromas and rich flavors. Predictability is another comforting aspect of Thanksgiving. Anyone who celebrates Turkey Day knows exactly the savory goodness that awaits them in a slice of dark turkey meat, or the wonderfully gooey texture and sharp notes of a heaping spoonful of mac and cheese.

But what if the cook generously providing this feast is in the mood to change things up a bit? Some would suggest you shouldn’t try to fix what isn’t broken. “Don’t mess with perfection,” people always say, especially not when it comes to beloved holiday foods. 

Novelty is one of the many spices of life, though. If you’ve ever wanted to elevate your Thanksgiving menu but feared the cries of disappointment from would-be diners craving exactly what they had last year, this recipe for butternut squash mac and cheese is the answer to your culinary dilemma.

The subtle, sweet nuttiness of puréed butternut squash enhances the piquant notes of Gruyère and sharp white cheddar, complementing the classic flavors we already know and love. The result is a delectable, creamy sauce (the sauce is what makes the mac and cheese, after all) that won’t raise red flags for the anti-vegetable eaters at the table, and which also tastes so much more incredible than the regular cheesy offering. 

It looks like you can improve on perfection after all, and this is the dish that proves it.

View Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese