Pre-heat oven to 200°C. Cut butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the butternut squash halves in a large baking sheet, skin side down, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until it has softened. Scoop out the butternut squash flesh.
In a blender combine 425g of pumpkin flesh and the milk. Blend until it has a smooth consistency.
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for about seven to ten minutes, or as per package instructions. Drain the pasta, top with a drizzle of olive oil and keep aside. Reserve the pasta water on the side.
In a large-size saucepan, melt butter and mix in flour to make the roux. Continue mixing the roux until it has turned slightly golden brown. It is important to brown the roux to remove the floury flavour from your white béchamel sauce. Add milk mixture and continue mixing to avoid any clumps and anything from sticking to the base. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir thelabneh, followed by the cheese, into the béchamel sauce in small handfuls. Stiruntil the cheese just melts before adding more cheese.
Return the saucepan to the stove on low heat, gently stirring the pasta into the sauce, adding ½ cup at a time, until all the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Adjust the seasonings.
In a medium size pan, melt butter and gently fry with garlic, sage, and chili flakes. Add in the bread crumbs and saute until in develops a golden brown colour. Remove from heat and mix in the parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Serve Pumpkin Mac and Cheese in a bowl and top it with the panko breadcrumb mixture. Enjoy!
Alternatively, prepare as a bake. Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C for about 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the dish is bubbly. Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve your delicious Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!