Cauliflower and Chicken Mac n Cheese Casserole

I posted about a healthy twist to Mac n Cheese the other day, but last night, we decided to change it up a bit, and I must say, it was delicious!! I'm guessing Gus thought so too, there was hardly any leftovers, and it went right along with his Paleo Diet.

This recipe is the perfect size for 2-4 people, depending on how hungry you are, and if you have anything else on the side!

*Just a helpful tip, make sure you have everything ready to go, this recipe moves quick!*

Cauliflower and Chicken Mac'n'Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite size pieces
• 1/2 an onion, chopped
• 2tbsp. minced garlic
• cayenne pepper
• salt
• pepper
• basil
• 2tbsp. butter
• 3tbsp. flour
• 2c. Milk
• 2c. Cheese
• 2 egg yolks
• extra cheese to sprinkle on top

Directions:

1. Start a pot of salted water on high to bring to a boil.

2. While waiting for water to boil, sauté onion and garlic with butter in pan till fragrant, then add chicken, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and basil
 

3. Brown chicken on all sides, then remove pan from heat

4.Preheat oven to 350degrees F.

5.Once water boils, add cauliflower, and boil for four minutes, or AT least before it starts to get mushy (I did about 3minutes) Drain, but reserve 1/2c of liquid for the sauce.

6. Set the pot back on the stove, and turn burner up to medium heat. Melt butter slowly, then add flour and whisk for about 4 minutes. *You're making a roux, and you want to cook as long as possible, to get rid of the flour taste*

7. Add milk and 1/2c of cauliflower liquid, and stir constantly until sauce begins to thicken, about 8-10 minutes. Whisk in the egg yolks and cheese until cheese melts, then take off the burner.

8. In a casserole dish, layer your cauliflower and chicken on the bottom, and then pour cheese sauce over the top. Here, you can sprinkle some bread crumbs on top if you'd like, or do like we did, and sprinkle some more cheese..you can never have too much cheese, right?! ;)

9. Bake casserole for about 20 minutes, then serve it up!!