Bn's Cauliflower Mac-and-Cheese

By scottnjennie

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter. plus extra for the dish
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (2 whole wheat bread slices pulsed in a food processor)
• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
• 1 lb macaroni, penne, or rotini
• 12 oz sharp Cheddar, grated
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper

Details

Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 45mins

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, then cook the pasta according to package directions.

Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium heat and sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 2 1/2 minutes. Add the bread crumbs and stir until coated. Set a side.

When the pasta has 8 minutes left, add the cauliflower.

On top of the boiling pot, melt the Cheddar and sour cream in a double boiler, stirring occasionally. Season with pepper to taste. Set it aside.

When the pasta is tender, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain. Add the cheese sauce and reserved pasta water and stir to combine. Salt to taste.

Put the pasta and cauliflower in a buttered 9x13 inch baking pan, sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and place in the oven. Bake until the bread crumbs are brown and sauce is bubbling, about 12-15 minutes. Serve hot.