Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Recipe
Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Kitchen Science
4
40 minutes
447
Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac is a comforting skillet pasta that will please the whole family. The subtle flavor of cauliflower is pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce, giving the dish a delicious depth of flavor. The chipotle peppers add a hint of spice to contrast with the pasta's tenderness while also creating an interesting texture that you can't get any other way.
This easy-to-make recipe can be on the table in just 40 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or looking for cozy comfort food, Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac will hit the spot.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Florets of cauliflower
- 8 oz Fusilli or rotini whole-wheat pasta
- 1 cup Nonfat milk
- 1 Adobo chipotle pepper, minced
- 1 tbsp Adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ¼ cup Coarsely diced yellow onion
- 2 minced Garlic cloves
- 4 cups Fresh spinach, chopped
- ¼ tsp of Salt
- 1 tbsp Whole-grain Dijon mustard
- 4 oz Shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
- 2 oz Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (approximately ½ cup)
- 1 tsp Freshly ground pepper
- 1 pinch Paprika
Directions
In a big pot, place a steamer basket, add water just below the basket, and bring it to a boil. Add cauliflower to the basket; cover, decrease the heat to medium, and steam until very tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Then, bring a big pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 2 minutes shorter than the package guidelines. Transfer the noodles to a large mixing bowl.
Place the cauliflower in a food processor or blender. Puree in the milk, chipotle, and adobo sauce until smooth.
The large saucepan should be completely dry. In a pan over medium heat, heat the oil. Cook until the onion is cooked and translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook until the garlic is aromatic, about 1 minute.
- Cook until the spinach is barely wilted, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and carefully add the cauliflower mixture, stirring. Mix in the mustard and salt. Whisk in the Cheddar and mozzarella gradually until smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently toss to blend. Garnish with pepper and paprika, if preferred.