Cauliflower And Mushroom Mac And Cheese Recipes

BAKED CAULIFLOWER, LEEK AND MUSHROOM MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook 3 1/2 cups of the cauliflower until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Remove the florets with a slotted spoon, and plunge in the ice water to stop the cooking. When cool, strain and reserve.
• Return the water in the pot to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Strain the pasta, shaking the colander a few times to drain excess water.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat in a large pot. When the butter foams, add the leeks, mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are lightly browned and the mushrooms are tender, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Whisk in the half-and-half and bay leaf, and cook, continuing to whisk, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Lower the heat to a simmer, add 2 teaspoons salt and simmer 1 minute. Remove the pot from the heat, take out the bay leaf and let sit for a minute. Add 3 1/2 cups of the Cheddar, and stir until smooth. Gently fold the cooked cauliflower and pasta into the cheese sauce, and transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
• Pulse the remaining 1/2 cup cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles couscous. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in the microwave, about 1 minute. Add the melted butter, breadcrumbs, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the food processor and pulse until combined. Sprinkle evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle on the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar, and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve hot.

CAULIFLOWER & MACARONI CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni following pack instructions, adding the cauliflower for the final 4 mins.
• Melt the butter in a pan, then stir in the flour and mustard powder and cook for 2 mins. Gradually add the milk, stirring all the time to get a smooth sauce. Add three-quarters of the cheese and some seasoning to the sauce.
• Drain the macaroni and cauliflower and stir into the cheese sauce. Transfer to an ovenproof dish, then sprinkle over the remaining cheese and flash under a hot grill until golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad, if you like.

CAULIFLOWER "MACARONI" AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and set on paper towels to dry.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and cook until bubbling. Slowly add 1 cup Cheddar cheese; cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place cauliflower in the prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over top and stir until thoroughly coated. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is fully melted, about 10 minutes.

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Bring cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Add 1 cup Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and coriander. Whisk just until the cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour over cauliflower, stirring gently to combine. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until light brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes.