Cauliflower And Shells With Cheddar Dill Sauce

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1/4 sweet onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1/4 cup butter (cut into smaller pieces)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 tablespoon salt
• 1/8 tablespoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 cups 1% low-fat milk (can use other types of milk, this is just what i used)
• 2 tablespoons half-and-half
• 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or grated)
• 6 slices american cheese, chopped into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
• 12 ounces pasta (medium sized pasta shells recommended - 3/4 of the box)

Recipe

• 1 steam cauliflower florets until cooked thoroughly but still slightly firm (about 6 minutes). set aside.
• 2 boil pasta until al dente; drain. mix with cauliflower in a large serving bowl.
• 3 in a medium sauce pan, cook diced onion in olive oil over medium high heat until translucent (about 2-3 minutes).
• 4 add pieces of butter and stir until melted.
• 5 add flour, salt and pepper to butter and onions; stir and mix thoroughly for about one minute (you can add more butter if the mixture is too "sticky").
• 6 add milk and half and half to the sauce pan; bring sauce to a boil.
• 7 reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce begins to thicken (4-6 minutes).
• 8 remove sauce from heat. add cheddar and american cheeses and stir to melt. once melted, add parmesan cheese and fresh dill and stir to combine.
• 9 pour cheese sauce over pasta and cauliflower and toss to coat.
• 10 enjoy :).