Comfort Week - All Time Favorite Comfort Food

(Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart)
What is "comfort week" without some comfort food?! Well today I'm going to share my all time favorite comfort food recipe with you, but I'm cheating a little and not using a picture I took myself. I made this meal recently, but it was eaten before I took any pictures! Yes, it's that good!

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

by Rachael Ray

Ingredients:
1 pound macaroni with lines, such as tubatini or mini penne rigate
Salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for garnish
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken stock
1 box frozen cooked butter nut squash (10 ounces), defrosted
1 cup cream or half-and-half
2 cups sharp cheddar (8 ounces), grated
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano, a couple of handfuls
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, eyeball it
Black pepper

Preparation:
Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta. Salt the water then add the pasta and cook to al dente or, with a bite to it.
While 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 onion in butter and oil 1-2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1-2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and smooth. Stir in cream or half-and-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in a figure 8 motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings.
Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce.

Note: I make a few changes to the recipe. I use basil rather than thyme and add cooked chicken. I also add a variety of veggies I have on hand such as mushrooms or zucchini.

In Rachael Ray's words "Yum-o!"