Sage + White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash is a delightful blend of creamy, rich mac and cheese and the sweet, earthy flavors of roasted acorn squash. This dish features tender acorn squash halves filled with a luscious white cheddar and sage-infused macaroni and cheese, then baked to perfection. The combination of savory cheese and aromatic sage with the natural sweetness of the squash creates a comforting, gourmet meal that’s perfect for fall and winter dining.

Why You’ll Love it:

Flavor Fusion: Combines the creamy richness of white cheddar mac and cheese with the natural sweetness of roasted acorn squash, creating a harmonious blend of savory and sweet flavors.
Nutritional Balance: Provides a wholesome meal that includes vegetables (acorn squash) and comforting, satisfying cheese and pasta.
Visual Appeal: Presents beautifully on the plate with vibrant, golden squash halves filled with creamy mac and cheese, making it a standout dish for entertaining or family meals.
Versatility: Can serve as a main dish for a vegetarian meal or as a hearty side dish alongside roasted meats, offering flexibility for various dining preferences.
Seasonal Delight: Perfectly captures the essence of autumn with the use of seasonal ingredients like acorn squash and aromatic sage, making it ideal for cozy fall gatherings.

Ingredient Notes:

Acorn Squash: A winter squash resembling an acorn in shape, with green-orange skin and a yellow-orange flesh. It boasts a mild, nutty flavor with a subtle sweetness, akin to butternut squash. Its texture pairs well with the sharpness of white cheddar mac & cheese, adding both flavor and visual appeal.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a robust flavor, ideal for roasting vegetables like acorn squash.
Rotini Pasta: Known for its corkscrew shape, rotini pasta is perfect for capturing and holding the creamy cheese sauce in each twist.
Salted Butter: Enhances the richness and flavor of the dish, especially when used to sauté shallots and garlic.
Shallot: A small, purple onion variety appreciated for its delicate, sweet flavor, which complements the dish without overpowering other ingredients.
Garlic: Essential for adding depth and savory notes to the dish.
Cream: Half & half or whole milk; half & half offers a luxurious creaminess that enriches the cheese sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: Used to create a roux that thickens the cheese sauce to a creamy consistency.
Ground Nutmeg: Provides a warm, nutty spice that enhances the flavors of cheese and dairy-based sauces, adding depth and complexity.
Fresh Sage: An aromatic herb that lends an earthy, slightly peppery flavor with hints of citrus and mint, perfect for autumn and winter dishes.
White Wine: Adds acidity that balances the richness of the cheese sauce, elevating its overall flavor profile.
Chicken Broth: Enhances the savory depth of the sauce, providing a robust backdrop for the cheese and herbs.
Topping: Consists of Italian breadcrumbs, chopped pecans, fresh parsley, and butter, adding a crunchy texture and additional layers of flavor to the finished dish.

Substitutions & Variations:

Variety in Textures: Enhance texture by adding sautéed mushrooms to the mac & cheese, offering a delightful contrast.
Meat-Lovers Version: Incorporate crumbled, browned sage sausage for a hearty twist. Drain excess grease on a paper towel-lined plate before adding to the cheese sauce and pasta.
Sweet and Flavorful Squash: Substitute acorn squash with butternut squash for a sweeter, more flavorful variation.
Adjusting Cheese Flavor: To mellow the sharpness of the cheese, replace half of the cheese with shredded mozzarella, balancing the flavors while maintaining creaminess.
Alternative Cheese Option: Experiment with smoked Gouda, adding a smoky richness that complements the dish’s flavors.
Alternative Pasta Shapes: Explore other short-cut pastas such as cellentani, macaroni, radiatore, shells, and campanelle, each providing unique textures and holding cheese sauce well.
Enhancing with Herbs: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the cheese sauce for additional aromatic complexity.
Spicy Twist: Incorporate diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.

White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash, Unbaked

How to Make Stuffed Acorn Squash:

Roast Acorn Squash:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Squash: Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Brush the interior flesh of the squash with extra virgin olive oil, and season with a sprinkle of kosher salt and a few cracks of pepper.
- Roasting: Place the squash halves cut side down on a parchment-lined 9×13 baking dish. Roast the acorn squash for 40-45 minutes, or until the interior flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
- This method ensures that the acorn squash halves roast evenly and develop a deliciously caramelized flavor.

Prepare Mac & Cheese:
- Cook Rotini Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta using a colander and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic, Shallot, and Sage: In the same large pot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, minced shallot, and chopped fresh sage. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the garlic mixture with 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir until well incorporated.
- Create Sauce Base: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring to whisk out any lumps of flour. Add white wine, cream, and ground nutmeg. Continue whisking for a few minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly, achieving a thin-medium gravy consistency. If the mixture doesn’t start to thicken after 2 minutes, slightly increase the heat.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and fold in the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine with Pasta: Stir in the cooked rotini pasta until well coated with the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- These steps ensure a creamy and flavorful mac and cheese with the aromatic addition of garlic, shallot, and sage, complemented by a rich, cheesy sauce enhanced with nutmeg and white wine.

Construct and Bake:
- Stuff the Squash: Flip the roasted squash halves over and fill each one with 1/4 of the prepared white cheddar mac & cheese.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine chopped pecans and Italian breadcrumbs.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle each stuffed squash with about 1 tablespoon of the pecan mixture and add a small pat (about 1/4 tablespoon) of butter on top. Bake the stuffed acorn squash for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by topping with finely chopped fresh parsley and a few cracks of pepper. Serve and enjoy this delicious sage and white cheddar mac & cheese stuffed acorn squash.
- These steps ensure a flavorful and visually appealing dish, perfect for showcasing the rich flavors of sage, white cheddar, and roasted acorn squash.

Upclose, Baked Mac & Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash

Tips & Recipe Notes:

Choosing Acorn Squash: Select squash that feels heavy for its size, with firm, unblemished skin. This ensures it’s ripe and flavorful.
Even Cooking: When roasting the acorn squash, ensure they are placed cut-side down on the baking dish to steam and soften evenly.
Enhancing Flavor: Brushing the squash with extra virgin olive oil before roasting adds a subtle richness and helps achieve a caramelized exterior.
Mac & Cheese Consistency: To achieve a creamy mac & cheese, stir constantly while adding cheese to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.
Customizing Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like smoked Gouda or fontina for unique flavor profiles that complement the sweetness of acorn squash.
Topping Texture: The combination of chopped pecans and Italian breadcrumbs adds a crunchy contrast to the creamy mac & cheese filling.
Butter Addition: Adding a small pat of butter on top of each stuffed squash enhances richness and flavor during baking.
Garnishing: Freshly chopped parsley adds a burst of color and freshness to the finished dish, along with cracked black pepper for a hint of spice.
Serving Suggestions: Serve the stuffed acorn squash as a main dish for a vegetarian meal or as a hearty side dish alongside roasted meats.
Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the mac & cheese filling and roast the squash ahead of time, then assemble and bake just before serving for convenience.
Variations: Customize by adding sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or roasted garlic to the mac & cheese filling for additional depth of flavor.
Enjoy this comforting dish, perfect for autumn dinners and gatherings, with its blend of creamy cheese, savory sage, and roasted squash flavors.

Fresh Sage and White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash with Chopped Pecans

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