Mac-n-Smoked Gouda with Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• coarse salt
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 8 ounce block of smoked gouda, sliced
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• coarse black pepper
• 0.25 cup smoked almonds, crushed

Directions:

1. Boil a large pot of water. Boil salt and pasta for 5 minutes, then add cauliflower and boil for another 3 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a medium sauce pot over medium-low heat until butter melts. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Raise the heat and whisk in flour, cayenne, and paprika until bubbly, then cook 1 minute more. Whisk in milk and broth and raise heat to bring sauce to a boil. Drop heat and simmer 5 minutes
3. Add cheese to sauce to melt it. Stir in mustard and season with salt and pepper. Pour over pasta and toss.

Makes 4 servings

Adapted from Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats, page 4