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Cauliflower Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese

Cauliflower Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese

with Cavatappi and Scallions

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on October 20, 2023

Bacon. Mac ‘n’ cheese. Need we say more? Okay, how about gooey, melty, bouncy, smoky, savory, and cascading with curls of cavatappi? Not convinced? Well, there’s a good amount of calcium-rich cauliflower in there too—roasted, not boiled, to bring out its natural sweetness and give it a crisp-edged tenderness that is sure to please.

Allergens:
Cereals containing gluten
Milk

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Total35 minutes
Active
DifficultyEasy
serving amount

2

Scallions

10

Cauliflower Florets

6

Cavatappi Pasta

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten)

4

Bacon

1

Flour

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten)

6.75

2% Reduced Fat Milk

(Contains: Milk)

1

Chicken Stock Concentrate

½

Italian Cheese Blend

(Contains: Milk)

1

Butter

(Contains: Milk)

Not included in your delivery

2

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

/ per serving
Energy (kJ)3724 kJ
Energy (kcal)890 kcal
Fat46 g
of which saturates18 g
Carbohydrate83 g
of which sugars11 g
Protein31 g
Salt1280 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.
Baking Tray
Large Pot
Strainer
Large Frying Pan
Paper Towel
Whisk

Instructions

Prep and Roast Cauliflower
1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Toss cauliflower on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until tender, 20-25 minutes.

Boil Pasta
2

Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (1½ cups for 4 servings), then drain.

Cook Bacon
3

Meanwhile, heat a large, dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until just crispy, 6-10 minutes. Turn off heat. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Discard all but 1 tsp bacon fat (2 tsp for 4 servings) from pan.

Make Cheese Sauce
4

Melt 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) in same pan over medium heat. Add scallion whites; cook until softened, 1 minute. Add flour and stir constantly until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water (½ cup for 4), and stock concentrate. Increase heat to high and boil until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat; whisk in Italian cheese. Season with salt (we used ½ tsp; 1 tsp for 4) and pepper.

Finish Mac 'N' Cheese
5

Chop bacon into small pieces. Stir bacon, cavatappi, and cauliflower into pan with sauce. TIP: If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water 1 TBSP at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Serve
6

Divide mac ’n’ cheese between plates. Garnish with scallion greens and serve.

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