A healthier version of mac and cheese that replaces half the pasta with roasted cauliflower. Delicious and easy for a weeknight.
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.
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
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
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
Side Dish Recipes
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!
Recipe by Tara Bench. Photographer: Lisa Hubbard. Food Stylist: Susan Vajaranant. Prop Stylist: Penelope Bouklas. Originally published in LHJ 11/12
Mary says
What a great twist!
Brit says
Oh this is what I need in my life! Healthy without sacrificing flavor!
angela says
i remember this recipe on ladies home journal
Tara Teaspoon says
Yes! It was one of my favorite recipes that I developed while I was at Ladies Home Journal. Thanks for reaching out! Tara