Spanish Mac and Cheese

Active Time: 25 MinsTotal Time25 Mins
Yield: Serves 12 (serving size: 1/2 cup)

It’s surprising how much flavor you can achieve in such a short amount of time. Little bits of Spanish chorizo (the hard, cured kind) are wonderful in the breadcrumb topping.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces uncooked short whole-grain pasta (such as penne, farfalle, or rotini)
  • 1 cup frozen butternut squash puree (about 12 oz.), thawed
  • 3 ounces Manchego cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 ounces dry-cured Spanish chorizo, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 209
  • Fat 9g
  • Satfat 3g
  • Unsatfat 4g
  • Protein 7g
  • Carbohydrate 25g
  • Fiber 3g
  • Sugars 1g
  • Added sugars 0g
  • Sodium 335mg
  • Calcium 10% DV
  • Potassium 0% DV
  • Calories 209
  • Fat 9g
  • Satfat 3g
  • Unsatfat 4g
  • Protein 7g
  • Carbohydrate 25g
  • Fiber 3g
  • Sugars 1g
  • Added sugars 0g
  • Sodium 335mg
  • Calcium 10% DV
  • Potassium 0% DV

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat broiler to high with oven rack in middle of oven. Cook pasta according to package directions in a Dutch oven. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to pan; add reserved cooking liquid, squash, Manchego cheese, cream cheese, salt, and cayenne. Stir until well combined. Spoon mixture into an ungreased 11- x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.

Step 2

While pasta cooks, heat chorizo and oil in a skillet over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until chorizo is crispy and oil turns red, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in panko. Spoon over pasta mixture in baking dish.

Step 3

Broil in preheated oven until lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika.

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