Jamie Oliver Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower
Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower is a healthier take on traditional mac and cheese, where blended cauliflower is added to the cheese sauce for extra creaminess. This method not only enhances the flavor but also adds a subtle sweetness and more nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta & Cauliflower Sauce:
- 300g macaroni (or any short pasta)
- 1 medium cauliflower (chopped into florets)
- 500ml (2 cups) milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 100g (1 cup) cheddar cheese (grated)
- 50g (½ cup) Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
For the Topping (Optional):
- 50g (½ cup) breadcrumbs
- 25g (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Cauliflower
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the macaroni and cauliflower florets and cook until the pasta is al dente and the cauliflower is tender (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cauliflower Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
- Add the milk and cooked cauliflower, then let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Blend the mixture until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
- Stir in cheddar cheese, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Add some reserved pasta water if needed for a silkier texture.
Step 3: Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Mix the cooked macaroni with the cauliflower cheese sauce until well coated.
Step 4: Bake for Extra Crunch (Optional)
- Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter, then sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve hot with a side salad or garlic bread.