Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

Cauliflower is mixed with pasta and a creamy Cheddar sauce in this bubbly, cauliflower mac and cheese recipe that is a great weeknight dinner.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 395 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour, or more as needed
• 2 slices bread, toasted
• 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup sausage links
• ¼ cup butter, melted, or more as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 35 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.

Step 3

Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook sausage until heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Cut sausage into small cubes.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.

Step 5

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 6

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour and cook until a thick paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly mix milk into butter-flour mixture until sauce is smooth and thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir 1 cup Cheddar cheese into sauce until melted and smooth.

Step 7

Spread cauliflower into the prepared casserole dish; top with macaroni, covering the entire surface. Stir cheese sauce into cauliflower and macaroni until well coated. Sprinkle 1 cup Cheddar cheese over the top.