Pepperoni Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • ½ head cauliflower, florets only
  • 2 cups milk, divided use
  • 2½ cups wagon wheels (or macaroni), uncooked
  • ¼ cup mini pepperonis
  • 1¾ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
  • ¼ cup + 1½ tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided use
  • ¼ cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a large pot, place 2 cups water, 1 cup milk and cauliflower florets. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is very tender.
  3. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, cook the wagon wheels almost according to the directions on the box, but reduce the amount of cooking time, so that the wheels are still undercooked and firm. They will finish cooking in the oven*.
  4. Drain the cauliflower after it has finished cooking, Place cauliflower in a blender and blend until smooth. In a medium pot, over medium low heat, add the cauliflower, 1 cup milk, mini pepperonis. Slowly stir in 1¼ cup cheddar cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and ricotta cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in wagon wheels. Mix until wheels are well coated with the cheese mixture. Pour the pasta and cheese into a baking dish (I used a roughly 8" x 10" ceramic dish).
  6. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 1½ tablespoons Parmesan cheese and paprika. Sprinkle ½ cup cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta dish and then sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the top of the dish.
  7. Bake the pasta for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbling. Serve hot.
Notes
* The directions on my box of pasta stated that I should cook them for 7 minutes in order for them to be al dente. I cooked the pasta for 4 minutes so that they were still hard.
Recipe by The Little Chef at http://littlechefblog.com/pepperoni-cauliflower-mac-cheese/