Golden Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Golden Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cauliflower
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, cored and cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Golden Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, steam the cauliflower florets until very tender, about 10-12 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork. Drain any excess water thoroughly. Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a food processor and process until smooth, or mash very well with a fork or potato masher. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Do not let it brown.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the warmed whole milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently, and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir in the pureed cauliflower until fully incorporated into the cheese sauce.
⏱️ 4 min
- 7
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac & cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Golden Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cauliflower
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, cored and cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Golden Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, steam the cauliflower florets until very tender, about 10-12 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork. Drain any excess water thoroughly. Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a food processor and process until smooth, or mash very well with a fork or potato masher. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Do not let it brown.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the warmed whole milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently, and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir in the pureed cauliflower until fully incorporated into the cheese sauce.
⏱️ 4 min - 7
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac & cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375