Best homemade mac and cheese loaded with cauliflower will trick the pickiest eaters into eating their veggies.
Today I'm teaching you a little trick. My granddaughters come over for dinner every other week. Their only request? Mac and cheese. I think I need to buy some stock in pasta, but I digress.
Mac and cheese is simple to make from scratch (no need for boxed versions that are full of additives), and is very forgiving in that you can't really mess it up, even when experimenting with it.
In this version, I added cauliflower. The flavor is mild and it wouldn't set off my granddaughters’ “veggie radar” because it blends right in (as does its color). It also adds a mild sweetness to the dish.
Tip: Never reveal your secret!
It turns out there are plenty of picky eaters among adults as well, but trust me, you can trick them too with this yummy dish. I'm a real magician when it comes to hiding veggies. I've snuck a whole cabbage head into this sneaky casserole and no one ever knew. The veggies are not really hidden in these southwestern egg rolls, but they are so fun to eat.
I'm always looking for ways to make comfort foods a bit healthier.
Have you snuck veggies into your dishes? How do you make your recipes wholesome? Tell me in the comments!
Best Cauli Mac and Cheese Recipe
[bctt tweet="#Best #mac and #cheese with #cauliflower will trick the pickiest eaters into #eating their #veggies." username="via all_thats_jas"]
Ingredients:
Serves 4-6
- 8 ounces uncooked macaroni (I used whole grain Rotini)
- 1 small head cauliflower, chopped
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream
- ½ cup skim milk
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
- In a pot of salted water cook cauliflower and macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat two tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add cooked macaroni and cauliflower. Stir in sour cream, milk, cheese, and mustard. Season the macaroni with salt and pepper. Stir well until cheese is melted. Transfer to a casserole dish.
- In a small bowl mix bread crumbs, parsley, and one tablespoon olive oil. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Best Cauli Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked macaroni I used whole grain Rotini
- 1 small head cauliflower chopped
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup low fat sour cream
- ½ cup skim milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese I used Mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a pot of salted water cook cauliflower and macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat two tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add cooked macaroni and cauliflower. Stir in sour cream, milk, cheese, and mustard. Season the macaroni with salt and pepper. Stir well until cheese is melted. Transfer to a casserole dish.
- In a small bowl mix bread crumbs, parsley, and one tablespoon olive oil. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Featured on: Jay Tried and True, Pieced Pastimes, and The Cottage Market.
This is definitely a great way to 'hide' veggies deliciously, Jas! I like that you use low fat sour cream too. Pinning and sharing. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a good week!
I love that this recipe takes a comfort food and adds a healthy ingredient! Pinning for later. I am visiting from Friday at the Fire Station link-up.
I followed you on Pinterest and Facebook and would love for you to follow me!
Pinterest… https://www.pinterest.com/mintsandacherry/boards/
Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/mintsandacherry/
Thank you much, Kristin! Followed back 🙂
This sound wonderful! Thank you for sharing on Whisk It Wednesday Link Party at Carrie's Home Cooking! I can't wait to see what you post tomorrow! Cheers~Carrie
Thank you, Carrie! Hope you'll also like what I'll share tomorrow 🙂
I like so much mac cheese recipes but I have never seen one with cauliflower! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe 🙂
Hi, Christina! I hope you'll give this one a try. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Yum! Thanks for joining us at the To Grandma's House We Go link party!
Thank you, Sheri!
I love mac & cheese and I love to add cauliflower!
Perfect for sharing, thanks for bringing it to Fiesta Friday!
Great minds think alike... 😉
I love to hide veggies in meals 😉 And this one is definitely to try! I think Junior would love this one!
-Emmi
Hi, Emmi! My grands loved it so I hope your Junior will too 😀
Thank you what a great recipe!. I really like the layout of your photos on this recipe. A different perspective that makes the image pop. Pinned
Thank you, Susan! I'm so happy you like it and I appreciate your kind feedback. 😀
What delicious winter comfort food! I love the addition of cauliflower!
Thanks so much, Lynda! 🙂
I can't wait to try this recipe it looks very comforting to me. Happy to see you here at Full Plate Thursday and thanks so much for sharing with us.
Miz Helen
You got it right, Miz Helen. It is very comforting 🙂
So glad you share your creativity with us at Merry Monday. Can't wait to see what's new from you next week!
Thank you bunches, Shirley!
This sounds absolutely delicious, I love cauliflower cheese and this makes it possible for me to have it as a whole meal!
Thank you, Kat! It could definitely be a whole meal. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in!
I love cauliflower and mac and cheese so this basically blows my mind hehehehe. Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
I'm happy you like it, Kelly! Thanks a bunch 😀
Jas, you are making me hungry! This looks scrumptious!! Thanks for sharing this at Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Haha, sorry Mollie! Thank you bunches. 😀
Yes! I’ve been sneaking veggies into my kids Mac and cheese for years. Though mine complain if it isn’t bright orange and has bits of veggies. So frustrating. But cauliflower is definitely one of my go-to veggies to use. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
So funny that we all do it now. When I was growing up it was: eat it or go hungry. LOL
This recipe looks like a winner! All of the ingredients make this recipe look so yummy! I like that you added cauliflower to a mac & cheese recipe!
Hi, Natalie! It fooled my granddaughters, lol.