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Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

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A comforting and creamy mac and cheese recipe that uses cauliflower blended into the sauce for a lighter, veggie-packed twist without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 1 medium head cauliflower (about 4 cups chopped), steamed until tender
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Chop cauliflower into florets. Steam in a steamer basket over boiling water for 8-10 minutes until very tender. Drain well.
  3. Transfer steamed cauliflower to a blender or food processor. Add milk, butter, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Blend until silky smooth. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
  4. Pour cauliflower sauce into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk continuously and cook for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened and bubbling gently. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  5. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat.
  7. Serve mac and cheese topped with toasted breadcrumbs, or transfer to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly on top, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta as it will continue cooking in the sauce. Drain cauliflower well after steaming to avoid watery sauce. Toast breadcrumbs carefully to avoid burning. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch. For vegan, use plant-based milk, vegan cheese, and vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: cauliflower mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, vegetarian mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-cauliflower-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/