Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Bacon

• 8 ounces, weight Bacon
• 4 cups Cauliflower, Cut Into Small Florets
• 1 pound Penne Pasta
• 1/4 cups Butter
• 1/4 cups Flour
• 3 cups Whole Milk
• 8 ounces, weight Gruyere, Shredded
• 8 ounces, weight Jack Cheese, Shredded
• 18 teaspoons Cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoons Chili Powder
• 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
• Kosher Salt And Black Pepper To Taste
• 2 ounces, weight Jack Cheese, Shredded
• 1/2 teaspoons Chili Powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
2. In a large pan, cook the bacon over medium heat, rendering all of the fat and cooking until crispy.
3. Drain the bacon and chop.
4. Set aside.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
6. Put the cauliflower florets in the boiling water and let simmer 60-90 seconds.
7. Remove the cauliflower with a strainer or slotted spoon and rinse with cold water in a colander.
8. Set the cauliflower aside.
9. Bring the water back to a boil.
10. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy pot.
11. Add the flour and using a whisk, mix the butter and flour together until smooth.
12. Let the sauce cook for about 4-6 minutes or until the sauce is still pale, but the raw flour taste is gone.
13. Add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook it a few minutes less than al dente.
14. You still want it firm.
15. Use the timing on the package as a guideline and cook less than the al dente time.
16. Drain the penne when done.
17. Meanwhile, add the milk to the roux, and stir well until all of the lumps are out.
18. Add the cheeses, cayenne, chili powder and garlic powder.
19. Stir really hard until the sauce is smooth.
20. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
21. In the large pot with the sauce, mix the pasta, cauliflower and bacon with the sauce.
22. Toss to coat.
23. Prepare a 9x13 glass pan, greasing it with a tablespoon of butter.
24. Add the pasta, cauliflower and bacon, all tossed in the sauce to the pan.
25. Top everything with the remaining 2 ounces of shredded jack cheese and sprinkle it with chili powder.
26. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for about 25 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy on top.
27. Serve hot and enjoy!

weight bacon, cauliflower, pasta, butter, flour, milk, weight gruyere, cheese, cayenne, chili powder, garlic, kosher salt, cheese, chili powder

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/macaroni-and-cheese-with-cauliflower-and-bacon/ (may not work)