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Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Shock Munch
A homemade mac and cheese recipe that is perfect for the whole family including picky eaters, this veggie mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food.
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Course Hidden Veggies
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • ½ of an onion, chopped
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets and steamed
  • 1 cup of milk (I used 2%)...note...have an extra cup handy in case you need it
  • 5½ cups of cooked macaroni noodles
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 8oz classic cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 5oz Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • Smoked (or regular) paprika (optional)
  • 1 -1½ cups panko bread crumbs (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook the macaroni, in boiling salted water, according to the manufacture's directions. I undercooked my macaroni by 2 minutes so they soak up more sauce while they cook further, later in the recipe. Drain and set aside until needed.
  • In a double boiler, or if you have a fancy steamer, steam the cauliflower until soft and can be easily pierced by a knife, approx 7 minutes.
  • While the cauliflower is cooking, sauté the garlic and onion, with a good pinch of salt and pepper, until they are soft and slightly brown, approx 5-7 minutes. Set aside until needed.
  • Once the cauliflower is cooked, put it in a food processor, or blender, along with the onion, garlic, and ½ a cup of the milk. Process or blend all the ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
  • Pour ¾ of the cauliflower mixture into a large pot, that's been heated over medium heat. Add your cheddar and gruyere cheese, and stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted. Now add your cooked macaroni, a cup or so at a time, and stir until everything is well combined. While stirring, the mixture will start to get "stringy" because of the melted cheese. Add your remaining ½ cup milk, a little at a time, until you reach the creaminess you desire. Of course add more if you feel the mixture needs it. Taste for salt and pepper, adding as much as you see fit.
  • At this point, if you like creamy mac and cheese, you can eat it as is! It will be delicious!
  • However, if you prefer baked mac and cheese, you can do a few extra steps!
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 cake pan and sprinkle the top with smoked, or regular, paprika.
  • If you don't like bread crumbs on your mac and cheese, bake it without the bread crumbs for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese starts bubbling.
  • If you DO like a bread crumb topping, do the following...
  • In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butters. Add the bread crumbs, stir and cook on medium heat, until the the bread crumbs are toasted, it should only take a few minutes.
  • Top the mac and cheese with the buttery, toasted bread crumbs.
  • Put the mac and cheese in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese starts bubbling.
  • Once the cheese mixture is bubbling, take it out of the oven, and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Enjoy!