Cook light comfort food without compromising taste

>>> this morning in "today's kitchen," comfort foods on the lighter side. "cooking light" contributor has a new approach to comfort foods that won't compromise foods and a new way to cook light. good morning.

>> good morning.

>> i'm so excited. comfort food light. not two things you usually hear together.

>> no, and we've done it and the secret is butternut squash . i've been cooking butternut squash with skim milk and low sodium chicken sauce.

>> this is for mac & cheese .

>> this is for mac & cheese .

>> cooking it in the milk for 25 minutes.

>> and it gets really nice and tender. i'll blend this up and before i blend it up i'll also add some greek yogurt , fat-free greek yogurt plain, it will boost the protein and the calcium.

>> a nice creaminess.

>> we're not using a beschemel to keep it light. we'll also add in a teaspoon of kosher salt

>> i imagine you used fresh butternut squash .

>> you do want the chunks and want the cubes and real want it to absorb all of that yumminess inside there. it's hot so i'm going to put on the lid but take the center out to let the steam release and there we go. you keep getting that nice beautiful golden color.

>> okay.

>> transfer this. and natalie, can i ask you to add in the cheeses.

>> sure.

>> even though we're keeping this light, we are making it cheesy because you have to. it is mac & cheese .

>> parmesan and pecorino romano and gruyere. we would have added a little bit more mixture from the pan and the reason why we're using this instead of elbows because look at the shape. you've got a curly q, ridges. and it's going to hang on to the sauce. i'll put that into an already coated pan.

>> do we add the skim milk at all?

>> we would add that in there.

>> okay.

>> so all of this goes in as well.

>> you can mix it in the bowl or the casserole dish like we're going to do. save a step.

>> i love that we're matching.

>> give this a really good stir. probably better a whisk or something.

>> exactly. and when it's hot it's going to melt in really easily. ours got a little bit top.

>> and panko breadcrumbs. we've toasted them and put parmesan in there so when you top it it will give a nice crunch on top to your mac & cheese .

>> great way to sneak the veggies past my kids too.

>> absolutely.

>> and bake it for how long?

>> 25 minutes.

>> looks amazing.

>> a little fresh parsley on top.

>> and on the side you've got the spinach with pine nuts and make it seasonal. pumpkin cranberry muffins. they are in season, cranberries. you can also use dried. want to try some.

>> serve it up. thanks so much.

>> up next, kathie lee and hoda coming up after your