Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Printer-friendly)
Creamy cheese sauce meets tender cauliflower and pasta for a comforting, lighter twist on the classic comfort dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into bite-sized florets
→ Pasta
02 - 8 oz elbow macaroni or gluten-free pasta
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Topping
14 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook for 4 minutes. Add pasta and cook both together for 5–6 minutes, until pasta is al dente and cauliflower is just tender. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux; cook for 1–2 minutes until bubbling but not browned.
04 - Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
05 - Combine cooked pasta and cauliflower with the cheese sauce. Mix well and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
06 - In a small bowl, toss breadcrumbs with Parmesan and olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get all the creamy comfort of classic mac and cheese while sneaking in a serious serving of vegetables
- The cauliflower adds the perfect tender texture without ever feeling like youre eating something healthy
02 -
- Cooking the cauliflower and pasta together saves time and helps the cauliflower absorb pasta water for better flavor
- Always remove the cheese sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and graininess
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest sauce texture
- Let the dish rest those 5 minutes so the sauce sets up slightly and slices more cleanly