One Pot Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese

When you’re craving a cheesy dish of mac and cheese but want to sneak in some veggies, this recipe is for you. Cook the macaroni in a pot with cauliflower. Add half and half or whole milk, seasonings, and the cheeses. The water adds to the yummy taste, and you don’t need a food processor or the oven to have a tasty dish on the table in 30 minutes. It works well as a side dish or a main dish. You are just replacing half the pasta with a nutritious vegetable. Broccoli also works well in this dish if you don’t like cauliflower. Need a vegetarian dish with more veggies? Add green peas to the mix with the cauliflower. Garnish with optional bread crumbs, green onions, or shredded cheese. I love adding a few chicken bacon pieces for taste and crunch. (Al Fresco has 60% less fat and 40% less sodium)

The best tip I ever got in cooking mac and cheese is to grate your sharp cheddar cheese yourself. Did you know that pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking ingredients and doesn’t melt as well as fresh cheese? That’s fine for cheese garnishment but not for a cheese sauce. I love the classic sharp cheddar, but it’s also fun to use a combination of cheeses for added flavor. Gouda or fontina can add extra depth of flavor, but I’m adding a touch of tangy flavor with Monterry Jack. For more heat, try Pepper Jack!

One Pot Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Use organic when available. Serves 8

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One Pot Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese

A fast, cheesy dish of mac and cheese which also sneaks in a veggie, cauliflower. It's on the table in 30 minutes and is a great week night dish.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword caulflower mac and cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb macaroni or short-cut pasta
• 4 cups water
• 1 medium head of cauliflower chopped
• 3/4 cup half and half or whole milk
• 3 oz cream cheese cubed
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup Monterrey Jack shredded or cheese of choice
• 2 tbsp margarine or butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• optional garnish of bread crumbs, sliced green onions, herbs, shredded cheese or bacon pieces

Instructions

• Place 4 cups water in large pot & bring to a boil
• Add macaroni and cauliflower
• Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally
• Add half-and-half or milk, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, & garlic powder to pasta pot
• Cook until pasta is al dente (slightly firm) & cream cheese is melted, about 4-5 minutes.
• Do not overcook cauliflower
• Stir in grated cheeses & butter until melted and creamy
• Season with salt, pepper
• If sauce is too thick, add splash of milk
• Optional garnish with bread crumbs, sliced green onions, shreded cheese or bacon pieces

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