Roasted Cauliflower Bacon Mac and Cheese with Cavatappi

This isn’t your average mac and cheese. We’re taking it up a notch with roasted cauliflower that brings a sweet, nutty flavor and tender-crisp texture, plus smoky bacon bits for that irresistible crunch. The curly cavatappi pasta catches every bit of the creamy, cheesy sauce.

Best of all, it comes together in about 35 minutes with simple ingredients. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side, this dish delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.

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Ingredients

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Cauliflower FloretsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

13.5 ounce MilkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Italian Cheese BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Toss cauliflower on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast until tender, 20-25 minutes.
2. Once water is boiling, add cavatappi. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Discard all but 1 tsp bacon fat from pan.
4. Melt butter in the same pan over medium heat. Add scallion whites and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add flour and stir constantly until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and stock concentrate. Increase heat to high and let bubble until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat, whisk in cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Crumble bacon into small pieces. Stir bacon, cavatappi, cauliflower, and 2 tbsp reserved pasta water into the sauce. If pasta seems dry, add more pasta water.
6. Divide mac and cheese between plates. Garnish with scallion greens and serve.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Large pot

IMUSA 16 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid - Large Cooking Pot for Soups, Stews, Pasta, Seafood Boiling and Family Meals - Riveted Handles for Easy TransportView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on AmazonKirecoo Stainless Steel Stock Pot - 8 Quart Heavy Duty Induction Cooking Pot with Visible Lid for Pasta, Soup, Spaghetti, Nonstick Thick Bottom Big Stockpot, Deep Cookware for Canning, Boiling, SimmerView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini works well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the bacon and use vegetable stock concentrate instead of chicken. For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of milk or water, stirring until creamy. You can also microwave in 30-second bursts.