Recipe courtesy of Michael Symon

Mac And “Cheese”

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 25 min
  • Active: 25 min
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
"This recipe is vegan, but you wouldn’t even notice because of how delicious and ‘cheesy’ it is!"

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook 3 minutes less than the label directs. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1/4 cup olive oil. When hot, add the cauliflower and onion; season with salt and pepper. Sauté until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the water or stock, bring to a simmer and cook until everything is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. (Note: When blending hot liquid, fill only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner ajar. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth.)
  3. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toast, stirring, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Toss the pasta with the cauliflower puree in a bowl. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and top with the toasted breadcrumbs, herbs and dairy-free “cheese.” Bake until the casserole is warmed through and the breadcrumbs are crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.