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One Pot Copycat Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

By Carolyn Stilwell

5 from 1 vote

Updated Jan 28, 2025, Published on Oct 24, 2021

The other week I went to Trader Joe’s excited to buy the frozen butternut squash mac & cheese. To my disappointment, it was SOLD OUT. Lucky for me, the cashier told me about the pumpkin 4 cheese yogurt dip saying it tastes very similar to the frozen mac & cheese if you mix it into some pasta. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try, and I’m so glad I did because this version is EVEN better. It’s saucier, cheesier, more flavorful, and you aren’t limited to the small container. I hope you give it a try!

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5 from 1 vote

One Pot Copycat Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

By: Carolyn Stilwell

Have you tried the frozen butternut squash mac & cheese at Trader Joe's? If so, you probably know it's delicious. But this version is EVEN better. It's saucier, cheesier, more flavorful, and you aren't limited to the small container.

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Equipment

• Dutch Oven
• Box Grater
• Wooden Spoon

Ingredients 

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Seasonings

• ▢ 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Cayenne
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Fresh Thyme, can use dried – just a pinch
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Fresh Rosemary, can use dried – just a pinch

Other Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tablespoon Butter
• ▢ 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
• ▢ 1.5 cups Water
• ▢ 1.5 cups Milk, I used whole milk
• ▢ 12 oz Rigatoni, I used rigatoni, use more or less pasta depending on how much sauce you prefe
• ▢ 1/2 cups Cheddar Gruyere Cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ 1 container Trader Joe's Pumpkin 4 Cheese Dip

US Customary – Metric

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Instructions 

• Combine all seasonings in a small bowl and set aside.
• Heat butter in a dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and combine with the butter. Stir continuously for about 3 minutes.
• Add water, milk, seasoning mix, and uncooked pasta. Let the liquid come to a boil and then turn down to medium-low heat and simmer until pasta is al dente.
• Once al dente, grate cheese and add to the pasta. Spoon in the pumpkin dip. Mix everything until well combined and melted.

Video

@carolbeecooks

One Pot Copycat Trader Joe’s Butternut Sqash Mac & Cheese but WAY better #macandcheese #pumpkinmacandcheese #onepotmeals #onepotrecipe

♬ Praise God – Kanye West

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcal, Carbohydrates: 70g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 341mg, Potassium: 341mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 401IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 298mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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