Cauliflower, Pasta and Cheese Gratin

Source: Cooking Light

8 cups water
6 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
8 ounces uncooked small seashell pasta (I used elbow pasta)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups 1% low-fat milk (I used skim milk)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (I used regular extra-sharp cheddar)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 (1-ounce) slices white bread (I used sourdough)
2 teaspoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400°.

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan; add cauliflower and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling water, and cook 4 minutes or until tender. Remove cauliflower with a slotted spoon, reserving cooking liquid; set cauliflower aside. Bring cooking liquid to a rolling boil. Add pasta, and cook 7 minutes or until al dente; drain and set aside.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine flour and milk in a saucepan, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in thyme and garlic; cook over medium heat until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, cheeses, onions, mustard, and pepper. Combine cauliflower, pasta, and cheese sauce in a large bowl. Spoon the cauliflower mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Place bread in food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form to measure 1 cup. Combine breadcrumbs with butter; sprinkle evenly over cauliflower mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Nutritional Information: CALORIES 375 (24% from fat); FAT 10g (sat 5.7g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.7g); PROTEIN 21.2g; CHOLESTEROL 28mg; CALCIUM 476mg; SODIUM 788mg; FIBER 3.1g; IRON 1.5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 49.6g

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2000

I talked about this recipe HERE.