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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Rich, creamy, and delicious, this simple homemade cauliflower mac and cheese is a family favorite and a fun twist on classic mac and cheese.
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Rich and hearty, this extra creamy homemade cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is a simple and quick meal. Tender cauliflower florets are mixed with loads of cheese, heavy cream, and seasoning for an awesome twist on traditional mac and cheese.
If you like this keto mac, for another keto-friendly recipe, try this cauliflower fried rice or zucchini noodles.
CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need:
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 ounces, Colby jack, freshly shredded
- 2 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
- Fresh chopped parsley
PRO TIP:
Save yourself the chopping and pick up a bag of prepped cauliflower in your grocery store to cut down on prep time.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
CHEESE: You could use any mix of your favorite cheese for this cheesy cauliflower recipe — get creative and try different varieties to find your favorite combo! Gruyère is yummy or you could use creamy goat cheese. A little bit of parmesan cheese sprinkled on top would be tasty as well. You could also make a vegan cheese sauce in this recipe as well.
BROCCOLI: You could also add in broccoli florets if you’d like.
FRESH VS FROZEN: I used fresh cauliflower, but you could also use frozen if you’d like. Be aware that frozen cauliflower will change the texture of the recipe a little.
SPICE: If you like spicy food, you could add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce as well for an extra kick.
CREAM CHEESE: Regular or low-fat cream cheese will work fine in this recipe.
GARLIC: I love adding garlic as a base to most anything I cook. If you’d like a bit of garlic flavor, add minced garlic or a dash of garlic powder along with the other spices.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
PRO TIP:
If you are feeding a crowd, double the recipe, add it to a 9×13 baking dish, top the cooked cauliflower and cheese with extra cheese and broil in the oven for a few minutes to melt.
STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP TWO: Chop cauliflower into bite-size pieces and toss with olive oil to evenly coat. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
STEP THREE: Place the cauliflower pieces on the baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until tender.
STEP FOUR: In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, whisk together heavy cream, paprika, mustard powder, and cheeses.
PRO TIP:
Don’t skip the mustard powder, it really creates a delicious flavor.
STEP FIVE: Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted and smooth.
STEP SIX: Add in the roasted cauliflower and stir so that the cauliflower is evenly coated in cheese sauce.
STEP SEVEN: Top with freshly cracked black pepper and freshly chopped parsley.
PRO TIP:
You could also garnish with crispy bacon on top!
HOW TO SERVE
This delicious recipe can be served as a main dish or as a yummy side dish. You’ll crave the flavorful, rich sauce and veggie boost from this ultimate comfort food. Adding a Caesar salad or green beans on the side would be a great way to finish off the meal.
MORE CAULIFLOWER RECIPES
STORAGE
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftovers of this creamy mac can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, and then warmed up the next day for lunch on the stovetop, baked, or in the microwave.
The next time you are looking for a tasty meal idea, skip the regular mac and cheese and grab the veggies for this ultimate homemade cauliflower mac n cheese. The creamy cheese sauce is amazing and it’s a great way to feed even picky eaters on a busy weeknight.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use frozen cauliflower florets for this recipe?
This delicious cauliflower mac would be tasty with either fresh or frozen cauliflower although just be aware that frozen cauliflower may change the texture of the dish slightly.
Can I double this recipe?
This is the perfect recipe to double. Make as directed and then add the cauliflower and sauce into a 9×13 baking dish, sprinkle extra cheese on top and broil for a few minutes to melt.
Why didn’t my cheese melt properly?
It is best to grate your own blocks of cheese rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese tends to be coated with an anti-caking preservative and doesn’t melt as well as freshly grated cheese.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Rich, creamy, and delicious, this simple homemade cauliflower mac and cheese is a family favorite and a fun twist on classic mac and cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 4 ounces Colby jack cheese freshly shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Chop cauliflower into bite-size pieces and toss with olive oil to evenly coat. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place cauliflower pieces on baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, whisk together heavy cream, paprika, mustard powder, and cheeses.
- Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add in the roasted cauliflower and stir so that cauliflower is evenly coated in cheese sauce.
- Top with freshly cracked black pepper and freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
TIP: Save yourself the chopping and pick up a bag of prepped cauliflower in your grocery store to cut down on prep time.
TIP: If you are feeding a crowd, double the recipe, add it to a 9×13 baking dish, top the cooked cauliflower and cheese with extra cheese and broil in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
TIP: Don’t skip the mustard powder, it really creates a delicious flavor
TIP: You could also garnish with crispy bacon on top!
Nutrition
Calories: 225.44kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 7.74g | Fat: 19.73g | Saturated Fat: 10.9g | Cholesterol: 58.05mg | Sodium: 188.2mg | Potassium: 332.98mg | Fiber: 1.97g | Sugar: 2.29g | Vitamin A: 689.93IU | Vitamin C: 46.19mg | Calcium: 184.07mg | Iron: 0.6mg
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Comments
Toni Thomason says
A delicious alternative to a classic dish.
Gloria says
So cheesy and delicious, our whole family loves this.