Mac and cheese could not be a more perfect comfort food. We've jazzed it up with cauliflower and Turkish seasoning to add new dimension to a favourite and have you begging for more.
170 g
Penne
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1 tbsp
All-Purpose Flour
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1 tbsp
Turkish Spice Blend
½ cup
Parmesan Cheese, shredded
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113 g
Baby Spinach
1 unit
Vegetable Broth Concentrate
285 g
Cauliflower, florets
1.25 tsp
Dijon Mustard
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113 g
Red Onion, sliced
2 tbsp
Italian Breadcrumbs
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2 tbsp
Butter*
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cup
Milk*
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Salt and Pepper*
Oil*
Preheat the oven to 400°F (to roast the cauliflower). Start prepping when your oven comes up to temperature! If you don't have an oven-proof pan, use a regular pot or pan, then in Step 5 transfer the mac and cheese to an 8x8-inch baking dish before broiling!
Wash and dry all produce.* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. On a baking sheet, toss the cauliflower and half the Turkish spice blend with a drizzle of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in the centre of the oven, stirring halfway through cooking, until golden-brown, 25-28 min.
Meanwhile, add the penne to the boiling water and cook until tender, 10-12 min. (Drain when the pasta is done cooking.) Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, half of the Parmesan, remaining Turkish spice blend and 1 tbsp oil. Set aside.
Heat a medium oven-proof pan over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and swirl until melted. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3-4 min. Sprinkle over the flour and stir to coat the onions. Slowly whisk 1 3/4 cups milk into the pan. (TIP: Slowly whisking in the milk helps ensure the sauce will be smooth!)
Whisk the broth concentrate and mustard into the pan. Simmer, whisking often, until the sauce thickens, 2-3 min. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining Parmesan until melted, 1-2 min. Gently stir the cauliflower, spinach and penne into the sauce until the spinach wilts, 1-2 min.
Turn the broiler on high. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese. Broil in the centre of the oven, until the top is golden-brown, 3-4 min.
Divide the mac and cheese between plates.