Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake
Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cauliflower, medium head, cut into small florets
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or an 8x8 inch square baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375°F - 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, about 7 to 9 minutes. Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water during the last 3 to 4 minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain the pasta and cauliflower well in a colander and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the 2 1/2 cups of milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk constantly until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the cooked pasta and cauliflower florets to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour the pasta and cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta bake.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375°F
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cauliflower, medium head, cut into small florets
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or an 8x8 inch square baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375°F - 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, about 7 to 9 minutes. Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water during the last 3 to 4 minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain the pasta and cauliflower well in a colander and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the 2 1/2 cups of milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk constantly until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the cooked pasta and cauliflower florets to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour the pasta and cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta bake.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375°F