Name: Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 medium onion (diced); 1 medium jalepeno (diced); 4 tbsp. butter; 1 head of Josie's Organic cauliflower (broken into bite size pieces); 1/2 lb. large macaroni noodles; 1 tsp. salt; 1 tsp. fresh cracked pepper; 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/4 cup flour

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This Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with jalapeno is a dish that I have only made a handle of times and I am not sure why, because it is perhaps the dish that my husband talks about the most. I guess it's time to take the hint! This unique mac and cheese dish features a spicy jalapeno cheese sauce, pasta noodles, and cauliflower for a cheesy side dish that is sure to satisfy. This Creamy Jalapeno Pasta Dish is so good, your family is going to be asking for it again and again

cauliflower mac and cheese in a deep blue casserole dish

Why do jalapeno and cheese go so well together?

We see it everywhere don't we? Nachos with with cheese and jalapeno, jalapeno cheddar poppers. Heck, I even made riced cauliflower with cheese and jalapeno because I love the combo so much!I don't know where the origin of jalapeno and cheddar cheese is from, but it's delicious. I think it has to do with combining the creamy, rich cheddar cheese with jalapeno, which is spicy without being too spicy. Ya know what I mean? The heat cuts the richness in just the perfect way.

Looking for more delicious jalapeno recipes? I think you'll love these!

Why add cauliflower to regular mac and cheese?

You could certainly do all one or the other but I LOVED the way this turned out. And the easiest part? I was able to cook the pasta and cauliflower in the same pot of boiling water for the same amount of time. Talk about easy. By adding cauliflower to traditional macaroni noodles, you add veggies AND cut down on the carbs ever so slightly. The texture is also *chef's kiss.*

You'll love cauliflower in this creamy cauliflower chowder too!

Ingredients

onion
jalapeno peppers
butter
cauliflower
macaroni noodles
salt
cracked pepper
shredded Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar cheese
heavy cream
whole milk
flour

jalapeno pasta topped with green onions on a white plate with a fork

How to cook pasta with cauliflower

In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta and cauliflower until pasta is al dente and cauliflower is firm but cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. I cook them together because they cook at the same time and I don't have to dirty another pan this way!

How to make jalapeno cheese sauce

Time to start your cheese sauce!
To a large skillet, add butter, chopped onion, and minced jalapeno pepper. Cook on medium high for 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
Turn heat down to medium and whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream until sauce is thick and smooth.
Slowly add cheese and stir until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Drain the pasta and cauliflower extremely well and stir into the spicy jalapeno cheese sauce.

Top Tip

This dish can easily be made completely gluten free by removing the regular pasta and doubling up on the cauliflower. Just make sure to use gluten free flour when making the roux or omit that entirely. This will result in a slightly thinner cheese sauce, but it will still be very tasty.

On the flip side, you can keep this strictly pasta and remove the cauliflower. I would double up on the pasta to keep the ratio of pasta to cheese sauce the same.

Can you use riced cauliflower?

I haven't tried that but I don't see why not! Add it later into the boiling of the pasta than at the beginning to ensure they cook at the same pace. Or, use a smaller pasta noodle that more closely resembles the size of riced cauliflower.

jalapeno pasta in a deep blue casserole dish at an angle

Variations

Add bacon for a jalapeno popper pasta dish!
Substitute green bell pepper for the jalapeno if you would like to make this dish less spicy.
You can easily make this a baked pasta dish. Top with an extra cup of shredded cheese and bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

What to serve with cauliflower mac and cheese?

This side dish SCREAMS Thanksgiving to me. And with that holiday coming up, that's what I have in mind-- a delicious and unique Thanksgiving side dish. You could truly serve it with anything, on its own, with grilled chicken, or with ham!

Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese