Butternut Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Fill a large pot with water. Salt the water, and place over high heat to boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni and cook until tender, about 10 to 13 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and then drain the macaroni in a colander. Return the macaroni to the pot and toss with 2 tsp olive oil to prevent from sticking. Set aside.

While the macaroni is cooking, prep the vegetables. On a baking sheet, toss the butternut squash in 2 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and slightly caramelized, about 18 to 20 minutes. Destem the swiss chard, and then cut the stems into ½-inch pieces. Stack and roll the leaves, and roughly chop into 1-inch pieces. Peel and mince the shallot and garlic.

In a small skillet, heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat. Add half the minced garlic (reserving the rest) and cook until fragrant, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the chard stems and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn heat to low and add the chard leaves, season with salt and pepper, and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add to macaroni.

Rinse and dry the lemon. Using a microplane or box grater, zest the peel. Wipe the skillet you used for the chard clean, put it back on over low heat, and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the shallot and remaining garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the panko and cook until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the lemon zest.

Add the tofu, dijon mustard, paprika, vegan Worcestershire, nutritional yeast, and half of the roasted butternut to the blender. Add 2/3 cup from the reserved 2 cups pasta water, and turn blender on low. Slowly continue to add water and turn up the blender speed, until the sauce is smooth and silky. Halve the lemon and squeeze the juice of one half into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the butternut sauce and the remaining roasted butternut to the macaroni and chard. Mix well and heat on medium heat until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, divide the butternut macaroni and cheese between your plates, and top with garlic panko breadcrumbs. Enjoy!