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Cheesy, small, and tender pieces of cauli that feel like pasta… oh. my! You'll make this quick and easy stovetop Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe on repeat -second helpings expected.
Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
One bite of this cheesy cauli mac will satisfy anyone’s comfort food craving! The cauliflower gets steamed to perfection and then tossed in a velvety cheese sauce you can whip up in less than 15 minutes.
It’s a great option for anyone following a low-carb or gluten-free diet or who loves their veggies smothered in cheese.
Ingredients
Four ingredients and seasonings turn cauliflower into a delicious, family-friendly meal! Measurements are in the printable recipe card, but first, let's review the items you'll need for this cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Cauliflower: the veggie swap for this low-carb mac and cheese.
- Milk: regular whole milk adds a creamy consistency.
- Half & half: makes it even creamier!
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Cream cheese: adds a tangy note to the cheese sauce.
- Shredded cheese: regular ole Cheddar or any quality cheese you have.
Best Cheese to Use for Cauliflower Mac
For the creamiest sauce, select block cheeses that melt easily and smoothly. For a more sophisticated cauliflower mac, go with Gruyere and Gouda; Cheddar and Colby Jack are great options if you're looking for a milder flavor.
Why a block of cheese? Most pre-shredded cheeses contain some type of starch to prevent the shreds from clumping together, meaning they won't melt as well when cooking.
How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
From the fridge to the stovetop, you can assemble this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe in less than 15 minutes. An easy, healthy, and quick side for any busy weeknight! Here's how to make it:
- Steam
When you cook the cauliflower in the microwave, add water and cover it with plastic wrap to trap the steam and cook the veggie. - Make the sauce
Meanwhile, combine liquids and seasonings in a saucepan. Then, add the cream cheese until it's dissolved. Finally, add the shredded cheese until it’s melted. - Toss it together
Drain the cauliflower before tossing it with the sauce to keep it from getting watery. Grab a plate and serve yourself a bite of pure joy!
Need more healthy kid-friendly options? Try my famous Quinoa Mac and Cheese next!
Making the Sauce Creamy
To make a super creamy cheese sauce, always add the cheese toward the end. If you add it too soon, the cheese will begin to break down and separate, creating little bits of ‘grain.’
It also helps that this cheese sauce is not made with a bechamel sauce, which contains flour. When not whisked properly, the flour will create lumps in the finished sauce, but we don’t have to worry about that here.
How to Keep it From Getting Watery
Before you add the steamed cauliflower to the sauce, drain the cooking liquid! Otherwise, your cheese sauce will be thin and runny.
Is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Healthy?
This cauliflower mac and cheese makes an excellent low-carb swap to the original with just 19 grams of carbohydrates; and 16 grams of net carbs. It qualifies as both a low-carb AND comfort-food side for everyday sides or special occasions.
What to Serve with Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Time to turn this cauli mac and cheese into a meal! Roasted Garlic Chicken Thighs and Baked Salmon in Foil are tasty entrees that make a great side-kick to our starring dish. You can also serve it with Healthy Turkey Burgers or Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon for extra flavor and nutrition!
Other Epic Cauliflower Recipes
On a cauliflower kick? Me too, and I’ve got plenty of recipes right up your alley, like this Roasted Curried Cauliflower. The florets take on a nutty-golden flavor from the oven’s heat and curry spices, it’s a must.
Another favorite is my Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup– there’s a secret to its depth of flavor, and it’s not in the splash of cream.
Of course, I can’t say goodbye without leaving you the Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or its Thai-inspired cousin, Coconut Cauliflower Rice. Both are solid ten on the flavor scale and suitable for low-carb diets.
Quick Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 4 ounces of cream cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Microwave the cauliflower:
- Place cauliflower florets and ½ cup of water in a 9×13 pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave the cauliflower for 6 minutes, carefully opening up one corner to release the steam, test for doneness, and add an additional minute or two of steaming if necessary.
Make the sauce:
- Make the sauce in a 5qt pot over medium high heat by heating up the milk, half and half, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Once warm, add the cream cheese and dissolve it into the milk mixture.
- Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the pot and mix to combine until the sauce is thick and smooth, turn off the heat.
Combine:
- Add the steamed cauliflower into the pot and toss with the cheesy sauce. Serve immediately.
Tara says
My whole family loved this cauliflower macaroni and cheese!