Spicy Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Casserole Food

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the water with salt.
• Spray the baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
• Cook the cauliflower in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pat between several layers of paper towels to dry. Transfer the cauliflower to the baking dish and set aside.
• Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, and whisk in the cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese, salt, pepper and garlic and whisk just until the cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, pour over the cauliflower, and stir to combine. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake until browned and bubbly hot, about 15 minutes. Serve.

CAULIFLOWER "MAC 'N' CHEESE" CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Toss cauliflower and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce plastic with a knife a few times to vent, and microwave on high 10 minutes. Carefully remove plastic and transfer cauliflower to a colander. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, cook milk, cream cheese, curry powder, mustard, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth, about 4 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Add cauliflower and toss to combine. Add mozzarella and 6 oz. cheddar and toss to combine-mixture should be cool enough so cheese doesn't melt. Transfer cauliflower mixture to freezer-to-oven-safe baking dish or dishes.
• If baking immediately, preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil and bake casserole until heated through and just beginning to bubble, about 45 minutes for large dish, or about 30 minutes for small dishes. Remove foil and sprinkle cheddar over. Heat broiler and broil until top is browned and bubbling, 2-5 minutes.
• If freezing to bake later, cover dish with an airtight lid or double layer of plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months. To cook, preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil and bake casserole 45 minutes for large dish, or 30 minutes for small dishes. Remove foil and stir well with a rubber spatula. Continue to bake, uncovered, until just bubbling and heated through, 10-15 minutes more. Sprinkle cheddar over. Heat broiler and broil until top is browned and bubbling, 2-5 minutes.
• To cook individually portioned frozen casseroles in the microwave, partially cover and microwave on high 4 minutes. Uncover, stir, and microwave at 1-minute intervals until heated through, 4-5 minutes more.
• Top with chives, if using, before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Casserole(s) can be assembled 1 day ahead; cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

SPICY KETO CAULIFLOWER MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until crisp tender, about 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. When foaming subsides, add onion and season generously with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, 5 minutes.
• Add milk and cream cheese and cook, stirring, until cream cheese is melted. Decrease heat to low and add cheddar, gruyere, dijon, garlic, cayenne, and nutmeg. Cook until cheese is melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and adjust with additional cayenne and nutmeg, if desired.
• Add cauliflower, fold to coat with cheese sauce, and transfer to broiler. Broil until deeply golden and bubbling, about 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish with almonds and chives and serve immediately.

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, spread in an even layer and roast until browned and cooked through but retaining some bite, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the cauliflower to an 8-inch or other 2-quart baking dish. (You could also bake this in individual ramekins; just mix the cauliflower with the other ingredients in a medium bowl before dividing.) Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar. Add the remaining 1 1/4 cups Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne to the cauliflower and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then top with the reserved 1/4 cup Cheddar.
• Roast until the cream has thickened, the cheese has melted, and some of the cauliflower is browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.