Recipe

Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac

Smoky, spicy mac ‘n’ cheese? Yes, please!

This comforting mac ‘n’ cheese recipe delivers a lot of sneaky nutrition, courtesy of the steamed cauliflower blended into the smoky, spicy chipotle cheese sauce. Add in sautéed onion and garlic, fresh spinach, and whole-wheat pasta, and you’ve got a high-fiber, high-protein, calcium-rich bowl you’ll enjoy all year long.

474 mg Ca Calcium

Ingredients | Serves 4

3 cups cauliflower florets

8 ounces whole-wheat fusilli or rotini pasta

1 cup nonfat milk

1 chipotle pepper in adobo, minced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard

¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard

4 ounces reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)

Ground pepper (optional)

Paprika (optional)

Preparation

Total Time 40 m

STEP 1

Place a steamer basket in a large saucepan, add water to just below the basket, and bring to a boil. Add cauliflower to the basket; cover, reduce heat to medium, and steam until very tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

STEP 2

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl.

STEP 3

Transfer the cauliflower to a food processor or blender. Add milk, chipotle, and adobo sauce; puree until smooth.

STEP 5

Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently stir to combine. Garnish with pepper and paprika, if desired.

STEP 2

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl.

STEP 3

Transfer the cauliflower to a food processor or blender. Add milk, chipotle, and adobo sauce; puree until smooth.

STEP 4

Dry the large saucepan. Add oil and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and transparent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add spinach and cook until lightly wilted, 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, carefully add the cauliflower mixture and stir to combine. Stir in salt and mustard. Gradually whisk in Cheddar and mozzarella just until smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.