Hidden Veggie Mac n’ Cheese

Posted on by llbalanced
Hidden Veggie Mac n' Cheese
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    [post_title] => Hidden Veggie Mac n' Cheese
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10.05

This gooey goodness has been a LONG time coming, friends. I hesitated to create a Mac n' Cheese recipe, because there is such an overwhelming abundance of them online. But what I'm learning, with deepest gratitude and humility, is that y'all want my version of dishes. And so, I will deliver!

For an LL Balanced Mac n' Cheese, I wanted to use real-deal dairy, as there are still plenty of folks who can digest it in moderation (myself included). I made sure to use the best quality I could find—cheddar from pasture-raised, grassfed cows and full-fat organic mascarpone. This ensures humane practices behind the farm-to-shelf journey of these products. It also helps ensure that our bodies respond to them in the best way possible, because they're in easily-recognizable form (instead of unnaturally processed), and they contain a healthier fatty acid profile.

While I kept the traditional dairy cheese, I wanted to use a few nutritious, non-traditional add-ins. First, I went for my favorite Eat Banza noodles. Made from chickpeas, this pasta is higher in fiber and protein than wheat noodles, and it is great for helping move things along, digestively speaking (feels?!). Plus, I LOVE the taste and texture. I order my Banza noodles on Thrive Market, but you can also find them at Costco and Target at a great price.

Secondly, I had to throw a veggie in there somewhere, and cauliflower was a perfect fit! A vitamin and mineral-packed chameleon, steamed and pureed cauliflower also adds creaminess, but it is undetectable in the final dish! If you want to add even more veggies to this Mac n' Cheese, feel free to toss in some roasted broccoli, which is a delicious combination.

If y'all give this Mac n' Cheese a try, please let me know and tag me on Instagram @lauraleabalanced #llbalanced. I hope you love it!!!!

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TOTAL TIME :
8-10servings
INGREDIENTS
  • 2 boxes Banza Pasta (16 oz total) any noodle of choice (brand link below)
  • 4 cups cauliflower florets, 1 1/2" pieces (approx 1/2 large head)
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup butter from grassfed cows (I like kerrygold)
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese or goat cheese (mascarpone is mild, goat cheese has tang)
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 packed cups grated cheddar cheese from grassfed cows (approx 8 oz, I use Organic Valley)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheee
  • Optional: thinly sliced green onions for garnish
DIRECTIONS
  1. Cook pasta al dente (around 1 minute less than lowest recommend time on package directions e.g. if it says 6-8 minutes cook for 5 minutes). Set pasta aside in the colander. Add cauliflower florets and 1/4 cup water to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 5 minutes, or until fork tender.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. To a high powered blender, add hot cauliflower (plus any liquid left in the bowl), garlic, dijon, butter, mascarpone, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Puree until smooth (you see a bit of graininess but you don’t want any chunks). I suggest holding a towel over the top to prevent splattering.
  3. Add cauliflower sauce to a large pot, along with 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese. Turn heat to medium-low and stir until cheddar is completely melted. Turn off heat and add cooked pasta; toss to coat completely. Add mac and cheese mixture to a cast iron skillet or similar-sized baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and parmesan, if using. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy immediately; just be careful of heat. Mac n Cheese will keep for up to 5 days tightly sealed in the fridge. Try not to put into your Tupperware until it is completely cooled, or leave the lid off if it isn't. You want to prevent condensation from forming. NOTE: the leftovers will have a sulfuric smell because of the cauliflower; but you won't taste it!
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