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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Pasta

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    Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

    Published: Dec 28, 2015 · Updated: Jul 30, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon

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    Pinterest image of Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese with text

    A healthier version of mac and cheese that replaces half the pasta with roasted cauliflower. Delicious and easy for a weeknight.


    Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

    If you're like me, this is your mantra today:

    I have been eating the best holiday food ever! But now it's time to get real. However, I don't want to.

    I HATE IT WHEN


    My solution to the stubbornness I'm so proud of, is a slightly healthier version of Mac 'n' Cheese! I've cut the pasta almost in half and replaced it with roasted cauliflower. Even better, this is a great way to disguise veggies for the kids.

    I used cheddar mixed with herbed Boursin cheese to make it extra creamy. If you can't find that specific Boursin, other flavors with do. As well as replacing it with cream cheese (just add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning if you are using plain cream cheese!)

    Let the dieting begin! Well, kind of. Not really yet.

    📖 Recipe

    Recipe image of Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    Tara Teaspoon
    Boursin with herbs adds flavor, but you can swap it for cream cheese if you like.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups (12 ounces) cauliflower florets
    • Cooking spray
    • ½ pound cavatappi or other curly pasta
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • Pinch cayenne
    • 2½ cups grated cheddar (7 ounces)
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
    • ½ cup Boursin Garlic and Herbs spreadable cheese (4 ounces)
    • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 425°F. Spread cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet and coat lightly with cooking spray. Roast until florets begin to brown, about 10 min. Remove cauliflower and reduce oven to 375°F.
    • Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat whisk olive oil and flour for 1 min. Add milk, whisking constantly. Stir in mustard, salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture has thickened, about 8 min. Remove sauce from heat. Add 2 cups cheddar, Parmesan and Boursin and stir until melted. Add pasta and cauliflower; stir to coat.
    • Pour pasta into a greased 2-qt baking dish. Sprinkle on ½ cup cheddar, then bread crumbs. Bake until bread crumbs are golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 30 min.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 568kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 24gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1028mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 873IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 568mgIron: 1mg
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipe by Tara Bench. Photographer: Lisa Hubbard. Food Stylist: Susan Vajaranant. Prop Stylist: Penelope Bouklas. Originally published in LHJ 11/12

    Comments

      4.67 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Mary says

      July 19, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      What a great twist!

      Reply
    2. Brit says

      May 12, 2020 at 12:34 am

      Oh this is what I need in my life! Healthy without sacrificing flavor!

      Reply
    3. angela says

      December 07, 2021 at 5:23 pm

      i remember this recipe on ladies home journal

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        December 13, 2021 at 11:10 am

        Yes! It was one of my favorite recipes that I developed while I was at Ladies Home Journal. Thanks for reaching out! Tara

        Reply
    Pinterest image of Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese with text

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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