Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe

This Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe is a creamy and comforting recipe, which is made with tender fresh vegetables and melted extra-sharp Cheddar. It’s the perfect make-ahead family meal, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 small head or bundle broccoli, trimmed into florets
• 1 small head cauliflower (or half a large head), trimmed and cut into florets
• 1 pound whole-wheat macaroni or penne (or other short cut pasta)
• 2 cups sour cream (or reduced-fat sour cream)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup finely chopped chives
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or crushed into paste
• A few drops hot sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

How To Make Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe

1. Blanch the vegetables: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water generously. Add the broccoli and cauliflower florets. Boil the vegetables for 5 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Remove them with a spider or a strainer and drain well. Keep the boiling water in the pot.
2. Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling vegetable water. Cook the pasta until it is undercooked by about 2 minutes (very al dente), as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta well.
3. Make the sauce base: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the sour cream, Dijon mustard, chopped chives, grated garlic, hot sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth.
4. Assemble the mixture: Add the drained pasta, the blanched cauliflower and broccoli, and 2/3 of the grated Cheddar cheese to the bowl with the sour cream mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine.
5. Transfer and top: Transfer the mixture to a casserole or baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top to cover. Make-Ahead Tip: At this stage, you can cool and chill the dish in the refrigerator to bake later.
6. Bake: To heat and eat, place the casserole on a baking sheet (to catch drips). Bake it in the middle of a preheated 375 degree F oven until the top is deeply golden and the sauce is bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Uniform Sizing: Cut your broccoli and cauliflower florets into bite-sized pieces that roughly match the size of your pasta. This ensures you get a perfect ratio of pasta, veg, and cheese in every bite.
• The Sour Cream Hack: This recipe skips the traditional “roux” (butter and flour) and milk base found in most mac and cheese recipes. Instead, it uses sour cream. This creates a tangy, rich sauce that binds everything together without the risk of a grainy flour taste.
• Undercooking is Key: Because the pasta bakes for 40+ minutes in the oven, you must undercook it during the boiling stage. If you boil it to fully soft, it will turn to mush in the casserole.
• Seasoning: Vegetables and pasta soak up a lot of salt. Don’t be shy with the salt in the boiling water, and taste your sour cream mixture before adding the raw ingredients to ensure it’s flavorful.

What To Serve With Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese

This dish is a heavy hitter that combines carbs, veg, and protein (cheese), so keep sides simple.

• Roasted Chicken: A simple rotisserie or roast chicken pairs perfectly.
• Green Salad: A sharp vinaigrette salad cuts through the dairy richness.
• Tomato Soup: Serve a small cup alongside for a veggie-heavy meal.
• Sausages: Grilled Italian sausages work well with the peppers and onions profile.

How To Store Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe

• Refrigerate: This is designed as a make-ahead meal. You can assemble it unbaked and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Once baked, leftovers keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a 350°F oven covered with foil until warm.
• Freeze: You can freeze the unbaked casserole. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Note that sour cream sauces can sometimes separate slightly upon freezing, so stir it up if possible after reheating.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 480
• Total Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 650mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
• Protein: 20g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving.

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