A simple, healthier alternative to traditional Mac and Cheese

The cauliflower season begins in October and ends in April. That's when it tastes the best. Even so, you can buy the vegetable all year round. Most often, we serve it with melted butter and breadcrumbs. Although this version is extremely delicious, it can become boring after a while.

Do you have a cauliflower at home and no idea how to use it in the kitchen? Discover this recipe for a delicious cauliflower casserole with a cheesy topping. You can make it in less than 15 minutes, and the dish will replace a two-course meal for you. You surely haven't eaten it in this version yet.

Mac and cheese is a simple casserole that is particularly popular in the United States and the United Kingdom. Elbow macaroni is cooked until soft and then transferred to a baking dish. The whole thing is covered with a thick, creamy sauce based on milk, cheese (usually cheddar), and flour and then baked in the oven.

Although the casserole is delicious, it is very calorie-dense and mainly provides carbohydrates. Fortunately, there's a way around this. Just replace the macaroni with cauliflower, and the dish will be half as calorie-dense but equally delightful.

How to prepare it? Wash the cauliflower and divide it into florets. Throw it into salted boiling water and cook for 10 minutes until it slightly softens. In the meantime, prepare the milk and cheese-based sauce. It tastes exactly the same as the one in mac and cheese. You can use regular yellow cheese, but if you want to add more character to the dish, use long-aged cheese (e.g., cheddar, pecorino, parmesan). Pour the cooked cauliflower with the sauce and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Your family will be delighted.

Ingredients:

              
• a head of cauliflower,
• 150 grams (5 oz) of cheese (e.g., yellow, cheddar, or parmesan),
• 50 grams (2 oz) of butter,
• 1.5 cups of milk,
• 4 tablespoons of flour,
• a teaspoon of nutmeg,
• salt,
• pepper.

Preparation:

1. Start by thoroughly washing the cauliflower. Divide it into florets and throw it into salted boiling water. Cook the vegetables for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove it from the water and place it in a baking dish.
2. Take out a large pot. Melt the butter in it. Add flour and fry everything for a minute. After a minute, pour in the milk and bring the sauce to a boil.
3. Add grated cheese, a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg when the sauce starts to boil. Pour the cooked cauliflower into the prepared sauce.
4. Place the ready casserole in an oven preheated to 350°F. Bake it for 20-25 minutes. After baking, take it out of the oven to cool a bit. Enjoy your meal!