Ham and Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese - Crazy Cooking Challenge

Ham and Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese - ButterYum

Welcome to my first submission to the Crazy Cooking Challenge hosted by Tina from Mom's Crazy Cooking.

• What is it?  A monthly blog hop.
• This month's challenge?  Search blogs for macaroni and cheese recipes, chose one, make it, and blog about it. 
• The purpose?  To highlight other blogs and have fun meeting new bloggers along the way.  
• How can you participate?  Visit the links below and vote for your favorite!

So, who likes homemade Mac and Cheese?  More like who doesn't, right?  I know, I love it.  Especially when it includes meat and veggies because that means I only have to make one dish for dinner.  As far as I'm concerned, that makes this the ultimate mac and cheese.

Okay, so I started with a recipe for cauliflower mac and cheese that I found on a wonderful blog called Chocolate and Carrots by Caroline - the recipe is one Caroline adapted from another blog.  I adapted it yet again to accommodate my family's preferences and it was a hit with everyone, even my picky teen who doesn't like anything I cook.  Maybe you'll give it a try and make a few adaptations of your own.  Enjoy!

Ham and Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese - ButterYum

Ham and Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
makes one 9x13 casserole

1 head cauliflower, chopped (cooked in salted water until tender)
1 pound elbow macaroni (cooked in salted water until al dente)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk, plus 1/2 cup more  for pureeing cauliflower
2 cups grated cheddar cheese (7 ounces)
12 ounces cooked diced ham
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder (or 1 teaspoon prepared mustard)
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes

Preheat oven to 350F.  Butter a 9x13 casserole pan; set aside.  Puree cooked cauliflower and 1/2 cup milk in a food processor until smooth; set aside.

In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter over med-hi heat.  Add flour and whisk to combine; continue cooking while stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. Add 4 cups milk, mustard, salt and pepper; boil for 2 full minutes or until thick; whisking constantly.

Turn off heat and whisk in cauliflower puree and cheddar cheese until smooth.  Fold in cooked pasta and diced ham; pour into prepared casserole dish.  Sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs and dot with 2 tablespoons cubed butter.  Bake uncovered for 1 hour until hot and bubbly.  If needed, place under broiler for 1-2 minutes to brown.  Rest for 10 minutes before serving (will be soft).

Note: to cut square servings as shown, allow to cool for at least an hour.