I've been trying to eat more vegetables but comfort food is just so good. This Mac & Cheese is made with a pound of cauliflower and you won't even realize its there. More on that Later, BUT FIRST THE RECIPE! Photo recipe after the actual recipe!
This Mac and cheese will still hit the spot while coming in at about half the calories of baked Mac and cheese and better yet you can make this in one pot in about 30 minutes! I've made this recipe way too many times in the past few weeks but it really hits the spot while still providing some nutritional value. I have also used this recipe as a base for a healthier chili Mac or served it topped with bbq. Both my healthier peach bbq and green chicken chili recipes are going up on the blog soon!
Hidden Cauliflower
Mac & Cheese Ingredients:
1 Pound Cauliflower Florets
1 Pound Large Elbow Macaroni
4 Ounces Sharp Cheddar
2 Ounces Gruyere (smoked if you can find)
2 Tablespoons Spicy Brown Mustard
Salt
Pepper
Preparing the Mac & Cheese:
Start cooking by brining a large pot of salted water to a boil.
While waiting for the water to boil separate your cauliflower into smaller about bite sized pieces. Breaking them down smaller in this step will make the sauce smoother later on. You can also shred the 4 oz of cheddar and 2 ounces of gruyere (seriously if you can find smoked gruyere in the cheese section.....get it...you won't regret it!). I also highly recommend grating your own cheese . Freshly shredded cheese melts better than the bagged shredded cheese you can buy in the store and will give you a much richer flavor.
By now the water should be boiling. Add the cauliflower florets and allow them to boil for 6 minutes. Once your 6 minute timer goes off add the pound of macaroni and cook according to the package (this should take at least 8 minutes. If the macaroni you purchased cooks for less than 8 minutes you should boil the cauliflower a few minutes longer to compensate. Once the noodles are cooked drain the pasta and add back to the pan without rinsing. You want the noodles and cauliflower to remain hot.
Store the noodle mixture around in the pot. The cauliflower should begin to breakdown. A few pieces of cauliflower might give you some difficulty but you can just smoosh it against the pot with the back of the spoon.
Finally add the mustard and a few grinds of freshly cracked black pepper and a 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until combined. Add all of the cheese to the mixture as well and your cheese has incorporated with the cauliflower to form the sauce. Add more salt and pepper to taste and serve with a few cracks of fresh pepper as well. Voila! easy healthy comfort food!
Enjoy the recipe and let me know how you liked it! Tag @Butfirsttherecipe_ on instagram to be feature in our highlights!
xoxo Emily
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