Are you a big fan of Mac and Cheese but looking for a delicious variation of the staple dish? Then, bid farewell to a regular Mac and cheese, and instead try this excellent Gordon Ramsay baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe!
The possibilities are endless with mac and cheese; hence, Gordon Ramsay has taken this approach to enrich the dish with a healthy veggie! This recipe can also be a great way to feed your fussy kids veggies in disguise!
This informative article will give you all the necessary information to make this recipe. Our professional Chef tries and tests the recipe, so you will find some tips to improve it! Now, let us dig right into it!
What's In The Post
Is This The Exact Gordon Ramsay Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe?
This is the recipe for Gordon Ramsay’s baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower. The recipe process and ingredients are the same, and you can relish the same once your dish is ready to be devoured!
Every macaroni and cheese recipe has a different story behind it. This recipe tells a story about how Chef Ramsay likes incorporating his British heritage into this unique universal baked dish. Keeping the same homage in mind, our Chef Jasbir has followed this recipe.
This recipe uses the exact ingredients that Chef Ramsay uses to make his authentic version. Moreover, the steps have also been followed, just like the original recipe, to ensure this dish’s result is phenomenal, just like the one made by Gordon Ramsay himself!
How Is Gordon Ramsay’s Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Different From Regular Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower?
Generally, when most people make macaroni and cheese, they do not add cauliflower. So, the fact that this recipe has perfectly cooked cauliflower florets said to it is a standout compared to other macaroni and cheese recipes.
However, if you have encountered some fantastic macaroni and cheese recipes loaded with cauliflower, this recipe is still pretty unique. The recipe uses a white sauce base made with a roux and then added cheese, which makes it pretty different from a regular macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe.
The white sauce is also enriched with English mustard, which pays homage to Chef Ramsay’s British roots. Last but not least, there is also a significant difference in the types of cheese used to make this recipe, unlike the standard kinds of cheese used for other similar recipes.
Why You Will Love This Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe
If you are genuinely a fan of simple macaroni and cheese (I mean, who isn’t?!), you will not need more reasons to love this fantastic recipe.
But some interesting facts about this particular recipe make it unique and will be why you will love this macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe. Have a look at all the reasons listed below!
- Versatile Ingredients: There is no need to worry if you don’t have some ingredients to make this recipe. You can very easily substitute some of the ingredients with others.
- Easy Steps: The recipe is simple and easy to follow for both beginners and professional cooks. Even if this recipe is your first time in the kitchen, you can still manage a delicious meal!
- Time Efficient: This recipe will barely take time to prepare, which is a massive plus for anyone with a busy schedule. The oven will do a lot of work for you while you do all other chores.
- Exceptional Flavor: Of course, one of the main reasons you will love this recipe to the core is its fantastic flavor. The flavor is delicious and different and will make you want to make this recipe over and over again!
Is Gordon Ramsay’s Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Vegan?
Unfortunately, Gordon Ramsay’s macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe is not vegan.
The recipe consists of butter, cheese, and milk, all unsuitable for a vegan diet. Although this recipe is entirely vegetarian, it does not suit vegans as it is packed with dairy products.
However, you can experiment with ingredients and switch the dairy products with vegan ones to make this dish vegan-friendly.
Equipment Required For Gordon Ramsay’s Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower
Here is a list of all the ingredients you need to make this fantastic recipe.
- Bowls: This medium and large recipe will need a few bowls. These bowls will mainly be used for mixing and storing boiled macaroni and cauliflower florets.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: If you would like to follow the recipe to the core along with all the measurements of ingredients, it is best to use measuring cups and spoons as they will give you precise measurements every time.
- Saucepan: Use a large saucepan for this recipe to help you boil the macaroni and cauliflower florets.
- Whisk: A large whisk will be handy while preparing the recipe’s roux and white sauce base.
- Silicone Spatula: This equipment is not mandatory; however, it helps better with scraping the sauce and transferring the dish to a baking tray.
- Baking Dish: Go for a deep baking dish for this recipe, enough to accommodate all the macaroni, cauliflower, and sauce.
Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Ingredients
The simple list of ingredients needed to make this fantastic dish is as listed below:
- Dried Macaroni : To make a recipe enough to feed a family of four, it would be best to use one plus ¼ cup of dried macaroni.
- Cauliflower Florets: Using about 11 ounces of medium-sized cauliflower florets would be optimum for the perfect cauliflower-to-macaroni ratio.
- Butter: You will need about four tablespoons of butter to make the sauce base for this recipe, along with a few extra knobs.
- Plain Flour: Four tablespoons of plain flour will help thicken the sauce and prepare the roux.
- English Mustard Powder: Two teaspoons of English mustard powder will help give this recipe a spicy finish.
- Whole Milk: About 21 fluid ounces of milk will make this sauce rich and creamy.
- Cayenne Pepper: A pinch of cayenne pepper will add to the flavor and make this recipe hot.
- Salt: Ah, one of the most essential ingredients out there! Of course, no recipe is complete without salt; here, two teaspoons of the same will help enhance the flavors.
- Matured Cheddar Cheese: This cheese will give the recipe a lovely sharp finish so that you will need a total of 3.5 ounces.
- Lancashire Cheese: About 3.5 ounces of this traditional English cheese will add creaminess to your dish.
- Cheshire Cheese: Again, the same quantity, 3.5 ounces of Cheshire cheese, will add a robust flavor to the dish, which is not too overpowering.
- Breadcrumbs: Add three tablespoons of white breadcrumbs to the dish before baking, resulting in a crispy and delicious top.
- Thyme: Lastly, you must add a sprig of thyme for a perfectly herby finish.
Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Ingredient Substitution
Most of the ingredients added to this recipe are simple to find. However, I completely understand if you are still looking for specialized cheese around you. Look at these easy ingredient substitutions that you can use instead.
- Lancashire Cheese: If you are having trouble finding some Lancashire cheese, your best bet would be to go for white cheddar instead. White cheddar cheese will give this recipe that creamy finish that Lancashire cheese would.
- Cheshire Cheese: Cheshire cheese tends to have a crumbly texture, and if you can’t find the same, you can use feta cheese for a similar sharp flavor and crumbly texture instead.
- Dairy-Based Ingredients: If you are lactose intolerant or want to make this recipe vegan, switch all the dairy-based ingredients like milk, butter, and all three types of cheeses with vegan or plant-based products.
Which Is The Best Cheese For A Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe?
Again, if some cheese options are used to make this recipe seem too specific, you can relax. Plenty of other types of cheese work amazingly well for this recipe and, in general, are a good choice for macaroni and cheese. Please look at these options and why they are the best choices!
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sticking to basics first, sharp cheddar cheese has the perfect robust flavor and a slightly creamy texture, making it ideal for this recipe.
- Smoked Gouda Cheese: Smoked gouda cheese tends to be creamy, which is perfect for this recipe, and the smokiness also adds a lovely zest to the flavor.
- Gruyere Cheese: The nutty flavor of gruyere cheese makes a lovely addition to just about any macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe.
- Cream Cheese: If your sauce base is extra creamy and rich, simple cream cheese is the best in a macaroni cheese and cauliflower recipe.
- Brie: Brie has a sharp flavor with a lovely, rich finish, making it one of the best types of cheese for such a recipe.
Do You Need To Roast The Cauliflower For This Recipe?
No, you don’t need to roast the cauliflower for this recipe. Instead, you need to boil it in water.
Roasting the cauliflower for this recipe is unnecessary, as we will be baking the macaroni and cheese later. The baking process will make the cauliflower perfectly crispy for the recipe. Roasting the cauliflower might make it too chewy once it is baked. Hence, it is best to boil it.
Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Preparation + Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
What Is The Best Temperature To Cook This Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe?
The best temperature to cook this macaroni and cheese cauliflower recipe is 200 degrees Celsius in the oven, or 392 degrees Fahrenheit.
The abovementioned temperature is perfect as it ensures the cheese turns gooey while baked. The temperature is also low for the cheese to burn or for the insides dish insides to Gordon
Ramsay Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe Steps.
Step 1- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil, along with some salt.
Step 2- Add the medium-sized cauliflower florets to the water and boil them for 5 minutes.
Step 3- Bring some more water to a boil in a separate saucepan and add in the macaroni. Let it boil till fully cooked.
Step 4- Strain the water from both and keep it aside in separate bowls.
Step 5- Mix the boiled pasta and cauliflower in a large bowl along with a dollop of butter.
Step 6- Place a different saucepan on the stove and add the remaining butter. Let it melt.
Step 7- Add plain flour to the melted butter.
Step 8- Once the flour and butter are mixed, add the English mustard powder.
Step 9- Mix the mixture well and pour in the milk.
Step 10- Let the sauce come to a boil and then thicken a bit.
Step 11- Add some cayenne pepper and salt to the sauce.
Step 12- To the sauce, add little pieces of sharp cheddar cheese.
Step 13- Follow that by adding the Lanchester cheese.
Step 14- Lastly, add the Cheshire cheese and let the sauce thicken.
Step 15- Switch off the stove and pour in the macaroni and cauliflower mixture.
Step 16- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, and sprinkle the top with black pepper and breadcrumbs.
Step 17- Now, grate some of the three types of cheese on top.
Step 18- Your macaroni cheese and cauliflower are ready to be baked.
Step 19- Please place it in a preheated oven and let the dish bake for 15 minutes at 392 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 20- Just like that, voila, your dish is ready to be served!
Tips To Make This Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Taste Better
If you follow the recipe exactly as it is from start to finish, the chances of your dish coming out perfectly are high. However, here you will find some tips and tricks our Chef mentioned, which will ensure your recipe turns out even better! Could you have a look at them?
- Do Not Overcook Pasta Or Cauliflower Florets: It is vital to boil the two ingredients until they reach the perfect al dente stage. Refrain from overcooking either of the two, which will make the dish mushy.
- Do Not Let The Butter Brown: Another vital step in this recipe is not letting the butter brown. Instead, once it has melted completely, you can add the flour to ensure the taste of the sauce is perfect.
- Be Gentle While Mixing The Sauce With The Macaroni And Cauliflower: When mixing the boiled macaroni and cauliflower with the sauce, ensure the florets don’t get mushy.
How Will Gordon Ramsay’s Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Look & Taste Like?
If you have ever seen the original version of this dish made by Chef Ramsay himself, you can expect your version of this baked dish to look the same.
The baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower look incredibly delicious with that perfectly baked top. The top is covered with gooey and melty cheese, accompanied by some baked breadcrumbs.
Once you dig into the baked dish, you’ll see a spoonful of gooey goodness with bite-sized pieces of macaroni and cauliflower.
As far as the flavor is concerned, it is as well-balanced as possible. The three types of English cheeses work their magic by giving the dish a sharp yet creamy taste and texture. Moreover, the baked breadcrumbs on top also add a lovely crunch to the overall soft baked dish.
Why Does My Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Go Watery?
No one would want their baked dish to have a watery texture! It can be a huge bummer not to have that perfect consistency.
Well, there are two obvious reasons why this could have happened. If you read these tips beforehand, you can easily avoid this issue when making your recipe.
- Your Sauce Is Too Thin: One of the primary reasons your baked dish may have gone watery is undoubtedly due to the consistency of the sauce. To avoid this issue, mix the right amount of flour well with the butter before adding in the milk, as it helps make the sauce thicker.
- Your Cauliflower Is Not Well Cooked: Veggies are known to release some water while they are cooking, which is why the key to getting this recipe right is to cook your cauliflower florets beforehand. Before you add the cauliflower florets to the dish, ensure they are adequately cooked.
Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Nutritional Values
Gordon Ramsay’s baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower is a moderately healthy dish as a single portion has about 250 calories. However, it has many carbohydrates, so balance that with some protein.
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 10 mg |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
Can You Make This Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make this baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower beforehand. However, it is best to wait to assemble the dish beforehand.
This baked recipe has a few elements, like the cheese sauce base, boiled cauliflower florets, and boiled macaroni.
You can prepare all these dish elements ahead of time and store them in the fridge. However, to enjoy the true essence of this baked dish, it is best to assemble it and bake it right before you want to eat it.
How Can You Store This Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe?
You may have prepared the entire recipe beforehand or may have leftovers. Alternatively, you may have different elements cooked separately and want to assemble the dish later. In either case, it is pretty simple to store this baked dish.
This section will show you the best way to store this recipe. Here is the best way to store assembled and baked elements that are not cooked separately or mixed.
- For Elements Not Assembled To Make The Baked Dish: If you have boiled cauliflower, macaroni, and cheese sauce, you can store all three in airtight containers and place them in the refrigerator. They will stay as they are for about two days.
- For An Assembled Baked Dish: You can store a fully baked dish in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days. However, be careful when transferring to an airtight container, as you will have to ensure the crispy elements on the top of the dish do not mix up with the rest.
What To Serve With Gordon Ramsay Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower?
This fantastic recipe tastes delicious even if you eat it as it is. However, there are ways to improve this dish, such as serving it with other delectable dishes. Moreover, serving this baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower with a protein side will make it much more balanced. So, here are some lovely options that you can very well serve with this baked delicacy:
- Gordon Ramsay Chicken Thigh: Since we have already taken from the master chef, why not serve the dish with something he made, too? This recipe for chicken thigh by Gordon Ramsay makes for a perfect protein-rich accompaniment.
- Jamie Oliver’s Roast Chicken: Another classic dish by a fantastic chef! Roast chicken is one of those recipes that can never go wrong, and it also makes for a lovely accompaniment with this baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower.
- Bobby Flay Fried Chicken: Fried chicken is one of those dishes that go well with just about everything, and this fantastic recipe by Bobby Flay will be the perfect protein to add to your baked macaroni cheese and cauliflower meal.
- Paula Deen Chicken Salad: As long as a salad is rich in protein, it will work well with this baked dish. Paula Deen’s chicken salad is undoubtedly worth a try to be served on the side.
- Julia Child’s Chicken And Mushrooms: Last but not least, if you are a true fan of the legendary Julia Child, try this recipe for chicken and mushrooms to serve with your excellent baked meal!
Recipe Card
Gooey Gordon Ramsay Baked Macaroni Cheese And Cauliflower Recipe
Equipment
- Bowls
- Measuring cups
- Spoons
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Silicone Spatula
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Dried Macaroni
- 11 ounces Cauliflower Florets
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 4 tablespoons Plain Flour
- 2 teaspoons English Mustard Powder
- 21 fl. ounces Whole Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 3.5 ounces Matured Cheddar Cheese
- 3.5 ounces Lancashire Cheese
- 3.5 ounces Cheshire Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Breadcrumbs
- 1 sprig Thyme
Instructions
- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil, along with some salt.
- Add the medium-sized cauliflower florets to the water and boil them for 5 minutes.
- Bring some more water to a boil in a separate saucepan and add in the macaroni. Let it boil till fully cooked.
- Strain the water from both and keep it aside in separate bowls.
- Mix the boiled pasta and cauliflower in a large bowl along with a dollop of butter.
- Place a different saucepan on the stove and add the remaining butter. Let it melt.
- Add plain flour to the melted butter.
- Once the flour and butter are mixed, add the English mustard powder.
- Mix the mixture well and pour in the milk.
- Let the sauce come to a boil and then thicken a bit.
- Add some cayenne pepper and salt to the sauce.
- To the sauce, add little pieces of sharp cheddar cheese.
- Follow that by adding the Lanchester cheese.
- Lastly, add the Cheshire cheese and let the sauce thicken.
- Switch off the stove and pour in the macaroni and cauliflower mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, and sprinkle the top with black pepper and breadcrumbs.
- Now, grate some of the three types of cheese on top.
- Your macaroni cheese and cauliflower are ready to be baked.
- Please place it in a preheated oven and let the dish bake for 15 minutes at 392 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Just like that, voila, your dish is ready to be served!
Nutrition
Conclusion
You can’t wait to try this recipe as soon as possible since we have come to the end of this article. A lot of people find baked recipes complicated to follow. But this recipe right here proves that baked dishes can be anything but complicated.
The process followed for this recipe is simple, along with the ingredients, which is a huge plus. As long as you take care of little tips and tricks on how to get this recipe right, the chances of it not turning out excellent are minimal.
So, go about the above recipe, and you will impress everyone, including yourself! Moreover, I have some good news if Gordon Ramsay and his recipes genuinely inspire you. We have covered many of his recipes in the easiest and best ways possible!
If you want a snack or lighter recipe, I recommend looking at Gordon Ramsay Potato Salad and Gordon Ramsay Grilled Cheese Recipe. Both of them make a lovely meal any time of the day.
You can also try Gordon Ramsay’s French Toast recipe if you are a breakfast enthusiast. Other than that, if you would like some lovely, sweet endings to your meals, look at Gordon Ramsay Yorkshire Pudding and Gordon Ramsay Hot Bananas recipe, too. Let me know in the comments which of these you are excited to try first, and I will see you next time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can the cauliflower florets and macaroni be boiled in the same pot for this recipe?Â
It is best to keep the two from being boiled as they take different amounts of time to cook, so boiling them together may leave one overcooked or undercooked.Â
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by switching out the dairy-based ingredients with plant-based ones.Â
Is this recipe gluten-free, and if not, can it be made so?Â
Unfortunately, this recipe is not gluten-free. However, you can make it gluten-free by switching all the gluten-based ingredients, like macaroni, flour, and breadcrumbs, with gluten-free ingredients.Â
Can a different type of mustard be used to make this recipe?Â
Yes, you can easily switch up the mustard with the type you like most for this recipe.Â
What exactly does mustard add to this recipe?Â
Mustard adds a spicy flavor kick to this recipe, which blends well with the other ingredients.Â
Can the cheese be switched up in this recipe?
Yes, you can easily swap the cheese with a type you like most for this recipe.Â
