Description
Comfort meets innovation in this cauliflower mac and cheese, blending creamy goodness with nutritious veggies for a healthier twist on classic comfort food. Cheesy, rich, and satisfying, this dish promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare oven at 375F (190C) to create an ideal roasting environment.
- Coat cauliflower florets with olive oil, seasoning thoroughly with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Spread seasoned cauliflower on baking sheet, roasting for 20 minutes until edges turn golden and crisp.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
- Incorporate flour into melted butter, whisking continuously to eliminate lumps and develop a roux.
- Slowly stream milk into the roux, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and achieve a creamy consistency.
- Introduce cheddar cheese and aromatic spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder.
- Stir sauce until cheese melts completely, creating a rich and velvety texture.
- Gently fold roasted cauliflower into the cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, spreading evenly for uniform cooking.
- Return to oven, baking for 15 minutes until top becomes slightly bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving hot.
Notes
- Roast cauliflower thoroughly to enhance caramelization and develop deeper flavor profiles, which adds complexity to the traditional mac and cheese texture.
- Swap regular cheddar with aged sharp cheddar or blend multiple cheeses like gruyere and parmesan for a more sophisticated and rich taste experience.
- Consider using gluten-free flour or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the dish remains creamy and accessible to different dietary needs.
- Add crispy bacon bits, panko breadcrumbs, or chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley on top to create an extra layer of crunch and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg