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salt macaroni extra-virgin olive oil unsalted butter fresh thyme onion all-purpose chicken butternut squash cream Cheddar cheese couple nutmeg freshly ground black pepper
Viewed: 46 - Published at: 2 years agoIngredients
- Coarse salt
- 1 pound macaroni with ridges, such as tubettini or mini penne rigate
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) (once around the pan)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, plus a few sprigs for garnish
- 1/2 medium onion
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 10-ounce box frozen cooked butternut squash, defrosted
- 1 cup cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups (8 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (a couple of handfuls)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (eyeball it)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method
- Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
- Salt the water, then add the pasta and cook al dente, or with a bite to it.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add the EVOO and butter.
- When the butter melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into the pot with a hand-held grater or Microplane.
- Cook the grated onions for a minute or 2, then add the flour and cook together for a minute or 2 more.
- Whisk in the stock, then add the butternut squash and cook until warmed through and smooth.
- Stir in the cream and bring the sauce to a bubble.
- Stir in the cheeses in a figure-eight motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg, and pepper.
- Taste to adjust seasonings.
- Drain the cooked pasta well and combine with the sauce.
- Serve alongside chicken sammies or all on its own with a green salad.
- Garnish with thyme leaves.
- (Boo would also have a little extra sprinkle of that cheese, please!)
- Boo was my dog, my friend, and my test-kitchen eater for twelve years (eighty-four, to her) and about 2,700 recipes.
- These recipes are a tribute to all the flavors and foods Boo loved best.
- I was the luckiest girl in the world to share my life and so much good food with Miss Boo.
- When you make this meal, have a bite for her or for the special animal in your life.
