Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: Special Delivery

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (29)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(29)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 25 min

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Ingredients

Coarse salt
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi (corkscrew-shaped pasta)
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
3 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken stock or broth
3 cups shredded smoked Gouda
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to season the cooking water, then add the pasta. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the cauliflower and cook for 3 minutes more or until pasta is cooked al dente and the florets are just tender. Drain well and return to the pot.

While the pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and heat with the butter until it melts. Add the onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes to sweat them out and turn the juices sweet. Raise the heat a bit, then whisk in the flour, cayenne, and paprika. Whisk together until the roux bubbles up, then cook for 1 minute more. Whisk in the milk and stock and raise the heat a bit higher to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once it bubbles, drop the heat back to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the cheese to the thickened sauce and stir to melt it, a minute or so. Stir in the mustard and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Pour over the cauliflower and cooked pasta and toss to combine. Adjust the seasonings, transfer to a large platter, and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Diana Hacienda Heights, CA 02-05-2010
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Try This With Smoked Sausage
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is truly a keeper. I browned some diced smoked sausage, which intensified the smokiness, and set that aside to add... later when the cauliflower gets added. I also left out the onion and Dijon...just seemed like too many ingredients. Also, the recipe says that this is 4 servings but it was more like 16. If this was cut in half, there would probably still be enough for 8. Also, next time, I plan on setting aside some smoked Gouda to top the whole dish and bake for about 10 minutes. I shared this with some friends and they were hooked. Read more
recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Whitney Houston, TX 04-08-2009
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Excellent alternative to plain mac-n-cheese!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for dinner tonight and was absolutely delighted with it! I wasn't sure by the smell of it while cooking, but just... one taste and I was hooked. A little goes a long way...I halved the recipe and it was still a big batch. Read more
recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Mindy Herriman, UT 03-28-2009
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Yum!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Yum-o! One of my new favorite recipes of Rachaels! I added a 1/2 lb of crumbled bacon to please my husband and it turned... out wonderful! Next time I'll try to find a whole wheat pasta blend elbow to make it a little heathier. I also used 1% milk and it turned out great. I did end up buying to much Gouda, I only needed a little less than a 1lb to make 3 shredded cups.Read more
recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Jeff Austin, AZ 03-18-2009
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WOWZA!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We watched Rachael make this and had to try it. It was AWESOME! Definitelt our new mac n cheese.
recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Carissa New York City, NY 01-20-2009
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RIDICULOUS!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Sooo good, this recipe is amazing and ideal if you want something different from the classic mac-and-cheese recipe; I used... 3/4 lb. instead of the whole box of pasta, less cayenne and more paprika and actually baked it at 350 degrees for 30-35 minute with a topping of melted butter and panko breading - it was beyond phenomenal and indeed a repeat for comfort food craving!Read more
recipe Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower
Evelyn Pacoima , CA 10-30-2008
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here you go...
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Ingredients Coarse salt 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi (corkscrew-shaped pasta) 1 head cauliflower, cut into... florets 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 3 cups whole milk 1 cup chicken stock or broth 3 cups shredded smoked Gouda 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Freshly ground black pepper Directions Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to season the cooking water, then add the pasta. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the cauliflower and cook for 3 minutes more or until pasta is cooked al dente and the florets are just tender. Drain well and return to the pot. While the pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and heat with the butter until it melts. Add the onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes to sweat them out and turn the juices sweet. Raise the heat a bit, then whisk in the flour, cayenne, and paprika. Whisk together until the roux bubbles up, then cook for 1 minute more. Whisk in the milk and stock and raise the heat a bit higher to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once it bubbles, drop the heat back to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the cheese to the thickened sauce and stir to melt it, a minute or so. Stir in the mustard and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Pour over the cauliflower and cooked pasta and toss to combine. Adjust the seasonings, transfer to a large platter, and serve. Read more