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Spicy Cauli-Mac and Cheese
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Spicy Cauli-Mac and Cheese

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, comfort food, Southern
Keyword: comfort food, mac and cheese, Pasta, spicy mac and cheese
Servings: 8
Calories:

Ingredients

  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 8 ounces pasta
  • ½ head cauliflower chopped (12 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves very finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeños or to taste, seeded and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter browned
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups 2% or whole milk warmed
  • ½ cup fat free cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F. Spray a large ovenproof casserole or baking dish with nonstick spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water, add the penne, and cook according to the package directions. A few minutes before the pasta is finished cooking, add the chopped cauilflower. Drain well and return to the pot. ( You can also use the same pot for cooking, just keep the pasta and cauliflower in the colander.)
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until nutty golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the garlic and jalapeños and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring often, for 1 to 2 minutes. (This helps remove the raw taste of the flour.)
  • Whisk in the milk and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, mustard powder, cayenne, and hot sauce. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Combine sauce and cauliflower and pasta. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole. Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the cheesy pasta. Season with paprika. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.