Fontina Mac with Squash and Sage Recipe

Fontina Mac with Squash and Sage Recipe

  • 6 tablespoons shredded Parmesan
  • 8 ounces shell pasta
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons butter, divided
  • 12 whole fresh sage leaves, plus 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups 1 percent milk
  • 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups shredded Fontina
  • 1 1/3 cups reduced-fat shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  1. Heat oven to 375°. On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, shape Parmesan into 8 2-inch rounds. Bake until golden, 10 minutes; remove from sheet to cool. Cook pasta as directed on package; set aside. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 2 teaspoons butter. Cook whole sage leaves until crisp, 45 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving butter. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until light brown, 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cook, 5 minutes. Add squash, garlic, reserved butter and salt. Cover; simmer until squash is very soft, 25 minutes. In a food processor, puree squash mixture. In a pot over medium-low heat, heat squash puree, Fontina, Swiss, chopped sage and cayenne; stir until cheese melts. Stir in pasta. Serve with Parmesan crisps and sage leaves.