Description
Jamie Oliver’s Cauliflower Cheese Pasta is a creamy pasta dish where roasted or boiled cauliflower is blended into a cheesy sauce, and then tossed with cooked pasta. It’s a unique take on traditional mac and cheese with a veggie-packed twist.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 400g (14 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or macaroni)
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- 1 medium cauliflower, chopped into florets
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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- 2 garlic cloves, minced
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- 250ml (1 cup) milk
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- 200g (7 oz) grated cheddar cheese
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- 50g (2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
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- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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- 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
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- 50g (2 oz) breadcrumbs (optional topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Cauliflower
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- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
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- In the same pot, add the cauliflower florets during the last 5 minutes of pasta cooking. Drain both and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
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- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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- Stir in the milk, grated cheddar, Parmesan, and Dijon mustard. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 3: Blend the Cauliflower into the Sauce
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- Add the cooked cauliflower to the cheese sauce. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy (leave some chunks if you prefer texture).
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
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- Toss the drained pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is coated evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Optional Topping and Bake
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- If desired, transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes until golden and crispy.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
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- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.