
Cauliflower and macaroni cheese in one pasta bake? This family-friendly gratin is comforting and filling
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal673
- fat34g
- saturates16g
- carbs56g
- sugars9g
- fibre3g
- protein35g
- salt2.8g
Ingredients
- 200g streaky bacon
- 300g dried pasta
Pasta
pah-stahPasta is the Italian name for Italy's version of a basic foodstuff which is made in many…
- 1 cauliflower, cut into large florets
Cauliflower
coll-ee-fl-ow-ahA brassica, like cabbage and broccoli, cauliflower is a mass of tiny, tightly packed flower…
- 25g butter
Butter
butt-errButter is made when lactic-acid producing bacteria are added to cream and churned to make an…
- 25g plain flour
- 300ml milk
Milk
mill-kOne of the most widely used ingredients, milk is often referred to as a complete food. While cow…
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 140g cheddar, grated
Cheddar
Ched-ahOnce cheddar was 'Cheddar', a large, hard-pressed barrel of cheese made by a particular…
- 1 soft wholemeal roll, whizzed to breadcrumbs
- salad, to serve, (optional)
Method
Heat the grill to high and bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Grill the bacon slices for 5 mins or until crispy, then drain on kitchen paper and cut into small pieces.
Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Add the cauliflower to the pasta pan for the final 8 mins, so that it is just tender, then drain, reserving 2 tbsp of the cooking water.
Melt the butter in a small pan over a low heat, then stir in the flour and cook for a couple of mins. Gradually stir in the milk, mixing well between each addition. Bring to a simmer, then cook for a few mins until thickened. Season, add the mustard and half the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Tip the pasta and cauliflower back into the pan along with the reserved cooking water. Stir through the cheese sauce and bacon, then transfer the mix to a baking dish. Mix together the breadcrumbs and remaining cheese, then sprinkle over the pasta. Cook for 5 mins under the grill until browned. Serve with a salad, if you like.
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