Super cheesy and full of veggies without all the junk of regular macaroni and cheese. Specks of red & green hot peppers add festive holiday color to the dish
Disclosure: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the Southeast Dairy Association. I am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Macaroni and cheese is the perfect winter meal because it's warm and comforting.
Unfortunately, it's not the best option as it's loaded with tons of cheese, white pasta, butter, etc.
And on top of that, what if lactose {the sugar found in dairy products} upsets your stomach?
Macaroni & cheese or any dish with milk products for that matter are all out of the question.
Luckily, you can prepare your normal dishes containing milk with lactose free milk! {You can find this right next to regular milk in your grocery store's dairy section.}
Lactose free milk is made with the lactase enzyme to help break down lactose into simple sugars {glucose & galactose} that your body can more easily digest.
It's the same milk with all the same nutrients and protein, but it is easier for you to digest. Win win!
In an effort to provide lactose sensitive people with some holiday recipes, The Southeast Dairy Association is challenging members of the Recipe ReDux to create "Festively Lactose Free" appetizer, entree, and dessert recipes using lactose free milk.
So here is my festive holiday macaroni & cheese.
I love this recipe because it is super cheesy without all the fat & calories of regular macaroni and cheese.
And my favorite part is that there is over 2 cups vegetables in the recipe. Most macaroni and cheese recipes have no vegetables.
Chop the onions and cauliflower really small and you'll hardly even notice they are in there.
This makes me so excited for the coming holiday season! I love Christmas time, and it makes me so happy to put red & green peppers in my macaroni and cheese to make it more festive. Plus, the spiciness helps warm you up when it's cold outside.
Holiday Macaroni Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 ounces uncooked macaroni about 1.5 cups
- 1.5 cup cauliflower chopped, fresh or frozen
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 cup onion from 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 TBSP all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
- 1.5 cup lactose-free 2% milk divided
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded, sharp (preferably white)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Pinch Pinch of paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 small hot red pepper fresno
- 1 small hot green pepper jalapeño or serrano
- 1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 TBSP cheddar cheese shredded, sharp (preferably white)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta in boiling water 5 minutes until almost tender; add cauliflower in the last 2 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Whisk 1/2 cup milk and 2 TBSP flour together and add to saucepan with bay leaf. Whisk in remaining 1 cup milk. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil while stirring and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, salt, red pepper, paprika, ground pepper, and butter. Cook, stirring until all melted and combined. Stir in half of the red pepper and half of the green pepper.
- Turn off heat and stir in pasta and cauliflower. Spread macaroni mixture into a 2-quart square baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle with remaining red & green peppers.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling.
Notes
Meme
Tracy_Nutrition says
Love health-i-fied mac n cheese recipes! This looks good!
memeinge says
Thanks!! I never liked mac & cheese as a kid, but homemade mac & cheese is soo good 🙂
Janice@macaroni and cheese says
We always try to pass our holiday with a great refreshment . So we makes some delicious food on this special day. My kids always request me to make some exceptional yummy food for them. That's why I think this above recipe of Macaroni & Cheese is a great alternative for that.Thanks for your above recipe. I will try this at my home as soon possible.