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Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower Recipe

Tender elbow pasta and tiny pieces of crunchy cauliflower are married in a creamy cheese sauce. This classic comfort food is a great way to add hidden vegetables into your picky eaters’ diets, or even your own. This isn't cauliflower "macaroni" and cheese; this is real mac and cheese with tiny, tender cauliflower florets. And you're going to love the difference.
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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 337kcal
Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups cauliflower finely chopped
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated, shaved or shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 3 minutes shy of until al dente. Drain, rinse and add the cooked pasta to the prepared dish in a single layer.
    16 oz elbow macaroni
  • Evenly sprinkle the chopped cauliflower over the top. Mix together slightly.
    2 cups cauliflower
  • In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Add milk and whisk until mixture is creamy and thickened, approximately 3 minutes.
    4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3 cups milk
  • Add white cheddar cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper and paprika to the pan and stir until cheese has melted.
    2 cups white cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Pour the cheese mixture over the top of the pasta and cauliflower. Top with Parmesan cheese.
    1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until very lightly golden brown around the edges. Serve immediately!

Notes

  • Consider running the cauliflower through a food processor if you’re really trying to hide the texture from kiddos.
  • Fresh minced garlic or garlic or onion powder would be a great addition to this delicious cauliflower mac for a little zip.
  • To get the most health benefits from your cauliflower, it is recommended to cut it 30-40 minutes before cooking.
  • You can mix the parmesan with bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers for a crispier topping.
  • If you're looking to spice things up, you can add some black pepper or cayenne pepper into the cheesy cream mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 281mg | Iron: 1mg
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