Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

KathyP53's Note:

Incredible comfort food.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 3 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• ¼ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• kosher salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 8 ounces pancetta , julienned
• 1 ½ lbs cauliflower , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons white wine
• 3 ½ cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Fontina cheese
• 3 cups shredded gouda cheese
• 1⁄8; teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄8; teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 lb macaroni , cooked until al dente

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In bowl, combine crumbs, melted butter, parsley, 1 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoons black pepper. In 4 quart pot over medium heat; cook pancetta 8 minutes. Transfer to small bowl; reserve fat.
3. Cook cauliflower in batches 10-12 minutes, adding up to 3 tablespoons butter if needed. Transfer to bowl. Deglaze pot with 2 tablespoons water; add to cauliflower. Wash pot.
4. In same pot over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Cook flour 3 minutes. Whisk in wine and milk; cook 10 minutes. Stir in cheeses, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoons black pepper, cayenne, nutmeg and cream, then cooked pasta, pancetta and cauliflower. Top with bread crumbs., Bake 30 minutes, broil 4-5 minutes.