Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Cauliflower is just one of those vegetables that I haven't interacted with much in my lifetime. A while ago, I did try making cauliflower rice, but other than that I have not cooked with cauliflower.  I was excited to give the cauliflower a chance this week and decided to cover the white vegetable in a cheesy sauce with a kick.  Inspired by Ree Drummond's recipe, I made a version of my own.  The poblano pepper gave the mac & cheese a distinctly delicious flavor while roasting the cauliflower kept the vegetable al dente with a bit of brown.  With a mixture of cheddar and parmesan cheese, the cauliflower dove into the yummiest cheese sauce and then baked with a topping of breadcrumbs and cheese.  I never knew cauliflower could be so yummy!  My recipe is below!

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower
1-2 Tbs. of olive oil
salt and pepper

2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
1 poblano pepper deseeded and diced
Sprinkle of dried chili flakes
Sprinkle of garlic salt
Sprinkle of black pepper

1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated

2 Tbs. parmesan cheese
3 Tbs. panko breadcrumbs

Directions:
  1. Turn oven on high broil and line a baking sheet with tin foil.
  2. Wash your cauliflower and cut into florets.  Pat dry with paper towel and place on baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle 1-2 Tbs. olive oil over florets and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.  
  4. Roast on high broil for 8ish minutes until florets are al dente and just starting to brown.  Set aside.
  5. In a medium pan, melt 2 Tbs. butter over medium heat.  Add deseeded and diced poblano pepper and cook until soft.  About 5 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle in chili flakes, garlic salt, and pepper and stir.  
  7. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute.  Add milk and whisk until thick (about 2 minutes).  Meanwhile, pre-heat oven to 375.
  8. Take pot off the heat and add grated cheddar cheese.  Stir until smooth.  Add more milk if mixture is too thick or more cheese if mixture is too thin.
  9. Add cauliflower into sauce then pour into a greased 8x8 pan.
  10. In a small bowl, combine parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs.  Sprinkle over the top of mac and cheese.
  11. Bake on 375 for 25-30 minutes until breadcrumbs are toasted and mac and cheese is bubbly.  If needed, turn on broil to brown top.
  12. Let cool a bit then enjoy! 

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