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.
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!
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
- macaroni
- cauliflower
- onion
- sour cream
- milk
- shredded Mozzarella
- mustard
- breadcrumbs
🔪 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 breadcrumbs, parsley, and one tablespoon olive oil. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
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Best Cauli Mac and Cheese
EQUIPMENT
- casserole dish
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 the top is golden brown.
TurksWhoEat says
What an excellent idea! I think I'll definitely have to try this.
Jas says
I hope you do and I hope you like it 🙂 Let me know! Thanks for visiting.
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
What, you have granddaughters?!?! How did you do that, had children when you were 12?! LOL Anyway, love the idea! Besides, technically cauliflower is not a veggie, it's not green 🙂
Jas says
LOL, Angie, you're too sweet. I turned 52 in December, but thank you! 😀
So, what is cauliflower then if not a veggie? I can't keep up with the trends, ha! 😉
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I am SOOOOO with you on hiding the veggies! For the longest time, I got away with sneaking zoodles in with the spaghetti—and then my picky eater got wise to my trick. Luckily, he hasn't figured out the cauliflower trick yet! This is a great way to lighten up one of my favorite naughty comfort foods—I mean, who doesn't like mac and cheese! I would love it like this anyway: no subterfuge needed. But the picky one is another matter...I can't wait to try this out on him!
Jas says
LOL, they get smart rather quickly, don't they? Good luck hiding veggies, Michelle and thanks for stopping in!. 😀
Jann Olson says
I've never thought to add cauliflower to mac n cheese, but I bet it's yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
It really is yummy, Jann! Thanks for stopping in!
Lisa says
I too make a lot of mac & cheese because my kids' love it. But I am always concerned about it not being the healthiest of entrees. I have pinned this and will definitely give it a try.
Jas says
Thank you, Lisa! It's hard pleasing the picky eaters as they generally dislike healthy foods. 🙂
Mother of 3 says
This sounds yummy! I have snuck cauliflower into our Alfredo sauce, zucchini in a chocolate cake, and pureed carrots into tomato sauce. I have one boy that is quite picky when it comes to anything with vegetables. Pinning this.
Jas says
Pureed carrots in tomato sauce is a brilliant idea! I might even try it for myself as I'm not a carrot fan (unless it's in a cake, lol). Thanks for sharing and happy 2018!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
That does sound like the best cauliflower mac and cheese! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party!
Jas says
Thank you, Helen! It's very well hidden and yummy. 😉
Donella says
Added this to my Yummly recipe box. I'm always looking for ways to sneak in veggies with the kiddo's favorite meals and sides.
Jas says
Sneaky, sneaky, lol! Thanks for stopping in Donella. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
Pili says
I usually disguise cauliflower in the meals too, it's not a popular veggie around here. Thanks for another opportunity to make more healthy meals, pinning!
Jas says
Lol, you can't even taste it in this dish. You can chop it really small so to hide it better! 😉
Rose says
I loooove cauliflower. I can't wait to try this recipe out. I may have to make it for my niece and nephew as well
Jas says
Me too, Rose! I put it in everything, lol! Bet your niece and nephew won't notice 😉
Leanna says
This is a wonderful simple idea. It would lower the carb and calorie count per serving as well as adding vitamins.
Jas says
Most definitely, Leanna! Thank you for stopping in, hope you're enjoying your weekend!
Michelle says
Sounds delicious!
Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
Jas says
Hi, Michelle. Thank you and thanks for stopping in!
Rachel says
I'm a huge fan of cauliflower, and I love mac n cheese. Will definitely make this recipe!
Jas says
Me too! Love it in any shape or form, lol. Let me know how it turns out for you :)
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
What a great way to get kids to eat their veggies, as well as some adults! Love it!
Jas says
Hi, Carol. Thank you, we need to be tricked sometimes too, don't we? 😉
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Sometimes we cooks have to be a little sneaky to get our families to eat a healthier. Like you idea of adding the cauliflower, I know I would enjoy your dish very much.
Jas says
Thank you so much, Karen! The healthier you want it to be, the harder it gets. But, one dish at a time and we'll get there, right?
Bam's Kitchen says
You are a very sneaky grandma,,,hiding veggies in the mac and cheese... Love the little crunchy topping too. Wishing you a super 2017!
Jas says
He, he....what can I say? 😉 Thanks, Bobbi, and all the best in 2017 to you and your family!