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Home » Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese {Keto, Low Carb}

Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese {Keto, Low Carb}

Last Updated March 10, 2020. Originally Published May 6, 2019 By Susan Leave a Comment

Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese- A low-carb alternative to traditional Mac & Cheese. Cauliflower stands in for the pasta , but you won’t even miss it! This Keto friendly version is every bit as creamy, cheesy and decadent. Comfort food without the carbs!
Cauliflower "Mac" & Cheese - cauliflower florets in a  rich cheese sauce in a grey bowl

It’s no secret around here…I totally love cauliflower! And I’ve made a few things where cauliflower stands in for other ingredients like these Faux Loaded Potato Skins  or these Sour Cream + Chive Mashed “ Potatoes”  (nope not one potato in either recipe but you’d never know it!) and I even have a whole Pinterest Board  called “Crushing on Cauliflower” dedicated to my love for cauliflower.

So, shocker! I’m at it again! This time it’s a low-carb spin on the quintessential comfort food Mac & Cheese. Judging by how many new cauliflower items( like pizza crusts and riced cauliflower) are popping up in the markets these days I  think cauliflower love is pretty strong.

Cauliflower florets covered in melted cheese sauce in a cast iron baking dish

How to Make Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until crisp tender ( about 5 mins.). Drain cauliflower and pat dry with paper towels. Place cauliflower in a 8 x 8 baking dish(sprayed with non-stick spray), set aside.
  2. In a small sauce pan, bring cream to a simmer, whisk in cream cheese and mustard until fully combined. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper. Continue whisking  until cheese is melted (about 1-2 mins.).
  3. Pour cheese mixture  over cauliflower in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top and bake (uncovered) at 375 F for 15 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbly.

process photo showing layering of cauliflower florets topped with cheese sauce and shredded cheese in a black baking dish ready to go into the oven

Recipe Notes:

What size to cut cauliflower florets

You’ll want the cauliflower florets to be cut into bite sized pieces (approx. 1 inch pieces). If you are using pre-packaged cut cauliflower florets, you may need to cut them to about 1 inch in size.

What size head of cauliflower to use?

For this recipe you’ll want to select a cauliflower that is about 2 lbs. in size which is about 4 cups of cauliflower florets.

Cauliflower releases water when cooked

Keep in mind sauce will thicken as cauliflower mac & cheese cools.  If need be you can spoon off any extra liquid. It won’t change the flavor and your cauliflower bites will be loaded with cheesy goodness.

How to Reheat Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese?

You can easily reheat in the microwave, oven or even stove-top.

  • Microwave: In a microwave safe dish for approx. 1-2 min. (depending on strength of microwave).
  • Oven: In an oven proof dish covered with aluminum foil. 350 F for about 20-25 minutes.
  • Stove-top: Heat desired amount in a sauce pan over medium heat until warm.

Add-Ins/Toppers

This recipe is super flexible, feel free to customize it! Some ideas to either stir in prior to cooking or topping cauliflower mac & cheese when it’s fully cooked: crumbled bacon, diced ham, green chilies, shredded chicken, shredded BBQ pork.

Cauliflower "Mac" & Cheese {Keto, Low Carb}

Cauliflower "Mac" & Cheese {Keto, Low Carb}
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
30 mins
 
Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese- A low-carb alternative to traditional Mac & Cheese. Cauliflower stands in for the pasta , but you won’t even miss it! This Keto friendly version is every bit as creamy, cheesy and decadent. Comfort food without the carbs!
Author: Susan | SimpleHealthyKitchen.com
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite sized florets (about 2 lbs/4 cups)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 oz. cream cheese, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 ¼ cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided ( or shredded White Cheddar)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until crisp tender ( about 5 mins.). Drain cauliflower and pat dry with paper towels. Place cauliflower in baking dish, set aside.
  3. In a small sauce pan, bring cream to a simmer, whisk in cream cheese and mustard until fully combined. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper. Continue whisking until cheese is melted (about 1-2 mins.).
  4. Pour cheese mixture over cauliflower in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup cheddar cheese on top and bake (uncovered) for 15 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbly. Serve.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Serving ( ⅙ of recipe) Calories: 227 Fat: 18.6 g Saturated fat: 12.0 g Carbohydrates: 5.3 g Sugar: 1.6 g Sodium: 261.3 mg Fiber: 1.7 g Protein: 9.4 g Cholesterol: 36.2 mg
3.5.3251

 

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Filed Under: 30 Min. or Less, Fall Favorites, Keto, Low Carb, Mains, Sides

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