Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
357 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Description
The recipe starts with boiling macaroni and adding cauliflower to the water midway through to ensure both cook to a tender but not mushy consistency. Separately, a cheese sauce is prepared and poured over the drained pasta and cauliflower mixture in a baking dish. The dish is stirred to coat all pieces evenly with sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese to form a golden crust upon baking.
Baking at a moderate oven temperature for 20 minutes allows the cheese to bubble, thicken the sauce, and develop a slight brown crust on top, adding texture contrast. The sauce may appear runny initially but thickens as it cools, helping the casserole to set properly.
This version offers a comforting meal or side dish with the added benefit of incorporating cauliflower texture and flavor subtly. Optional additions can enhance or vary the taste, such as mixing in BBQ sauce or red chili flakes to change the flavor profile.
Cauliflower can also be blended into the cheese sauce to mask its presence more fully if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 recipe cheese sauce
- 250 g macaroni
- 1 head cauliflower cut into small pieces
- 50 g parmesan grated
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Put 250 g Macaroni into a pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, add 1 head Cauliflower to the pan of pasta.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce.
- Drain the macaroni and cauliflower and put into a baking dish.
- Pour over the cheese sauce. Mix well so that all the macaroni and cauliflower are coated.
- Sprinkle over 50 g Parmesan.
- Put into the oven for 20 minutes. The top should be browning and bubbling.
Notes
- The cheese sauce may seem runny when combined with macaroni but thickens after cooling, providing proper consistency.
- Adding a couple of tablespoons of BBQ sauce into the cheese sauce adds a unique flavor variation.
- To conceal the cauliflower flavor and texture, blend the cooked cauliflower into the cheese sauce before mixing with pasta.
- Sprinkle red chili flakes in the cheese sauce for a spicy kick, if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 19mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 297mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 613mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 218IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 70mg | 78% |
| Calcium | 243mg | 24% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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