Boos Butternut Squash Mac-n-Cheese

• 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

1. Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
2. Salt the water, then add the pasta and cook al dente, or with a bite to it.
3. While the pasta cooks, heat a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
4. Add the EVOO and butter.
5. 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.
6. Cook the grated onions for a minute or 2, then add the flour and cook together for a minute or 2 more.
7. Whisk in the stock, then add the butternut squash and cook until warmed through and smooth.
8. Stir in the cream and bring the sauce to a bubble.
9. Stir in the cheeses in a figure-eight motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg, and pepper.
10. Taste to adjust seasonings.
11. Drain the cooked pasta well and combine with the sauce.
12. Serve alongside chicken sammies or all on its own with a green salad.
13. Garnish with thyme leaves.
14. (Boo would also have a little extra sprinkle of that cheese, please!)
15. Boo was my dog, my friend, and my test-kitchen eater for twelve years (eighty-four, to her) and about 2,700 recipes.
16. These recipes are a tribute to all the flavors and foods Boo loved best.
17. I was the luckiest girl in the world to share my life and so much good food with Miss Boo.
18. When you make this meal, have a bite for her or for the special animal in your life.

salt, macaroni, extravirgin olive oil, unsalted butter, fresh thyme, onion, allpurpose, chicken, butternut squash, cream, cheddar cheese, couple, nutmeg, freshly ground black pepper

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/boo-s-butternut-squash-mac-n-cheese-374234 (may not work)