Baked Shells and Cheese with Cauliflower and Ham |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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If you have mac and cheese fans, then you'll love this baked version that incorporates cauliflower into the pasta and cheese mixture. Ingredients:
8 cups water |
7 cups small cauliflower florets (about 1 1/2 pounds) |
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided |
2 1/3 cups uncooked small seashell pasta |
1.1 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup) |
3 cups 1% low-fat milk |
2 garlic cloves, minced |
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese |
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh parmesan cheese |
2 teaspoons dijon mustard |
1/4 teaspoon black pepper |
3/4 cup diced cooked extra-lean ham (4 ounces) |
cooking spray |
2 (1-ounce) slices whole-wheat bread |
2 teaspoons butter, melted |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; add cauliflower and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling water, and cook 4 minutes or until tender. Remove cauliflower with a slotted spoon to a large bowl, reserving cooking liquid; set cauliflower aside. Bring cooking liquid to a rolling boil. Add pasta, and cook 6 minutes or until al dente; drain and add to cauliflower in bowl.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and milk in a medium saucepan, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in garlic; cook over medium-high heat until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, cheeses, mustard, and pepper. Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower mixture; add ham, stirring to coat. Spoon cauliflower mixture into a 13 x 9inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Tear bread slices into quarters. Place bread in food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form to measure 1 cup. Combine breadcrumbs with butter; sprinkle evenly over cauliflower mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Young Chefs can:
6. Break cauliflower into small pieces, and place in measuring cups
7. Tear bread slices into quarters
8. Older Chefs can:
9. Dice ham with dinner knife
10. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture
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