Cauliflower Mac N' Cheese

ellie_'s Note:

We enjoyed this very much -- my son finished off the pan! Although this is a bit more work than regular mac n' cheese it is also a tad more healthier thant the reg recipes. No one will guess the secret ingredient is caulflower in this recipe. Recipe source: local newspaper which adapted the recipe from The Food Matters Cookbook.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth or 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cauliflower, cored and separated into large pieces
• 8 ounces macaroni (we used small shells)
• 1/2 cup cheese, grated (we used sharp cheddar but this is also a great recipe to clean out the cheese drawer and use bits an)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• pepper
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated (I used the packaged Kraft grated cheese)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with Pam or use a small amount of oil to grease pan.
3. Bring a pot of water to boil and add salt. When it reaches a boil add cauliflower for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Transfer cauliflower to blender or food processor. We used a blender but I think a food processor may be a better option. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes; drain; rinse and put in prepared baking dish.
4. In a small sauce pan put in the broth and bay leaves and heat over medium low heat. When small bubbbles appear (5 minutes) turn off heat and let broth stand. Remove bay leaves from broth.
5. Process cauliflowe with 2 cups of the broth, 2 T oil, the cheese, mustard , nutmeg, and salt and pepper. You may need to work in batches -- my blender overflowed a bit. If sauce becomes too thick add the remaining broth (1/2 cup).
6. Pour sauce over pasta. ***can be refrigerated one day if desired; bringing to room temp before proceeding.***.
7. Sprinkle to with Parmesan and bread crumbs.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is bubbling and crumbs turn brown.

Reviews

[AllergyGirl]

So good. I was so pleased with the taste and the creaminess, and for under 400 calories a serving! That's amazing! Thanks for sharing. Will probably be making this again.

[totalofseven]

Amazingly creamy despite having only 1/2 cup of cheese! My SO thought I must have added some milk or cream. I followed the other reviewer's advice and kept a few cauliflower florets. I also steamed some broccoli over the pot while the pasta was cooking and added that to spruce up the dish with some texture. SO thought it could have had a crispier top crust but that was my fault because the bread crumbs started to brown 5 minutes in so I covered with foil for the remaining cooking time. DELICIOUS recipe! Will be adding this to my G recipe circle. Thank you!

[Sharon123]

This was good. I too used small shells for the macaroni. I enjoyed the cauliflower in it, but next time make leave in small florets. Thanks Ellie! Made for Newest Zaar tag.