This creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese offers a lighter spin on the classic dish – it’s low on calories and keto-friendly!
Now this is a veggie you'll actually wanna eat! I love making these cheesy cauliflower as an indulgent side dish that's low calorie but high in protein.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthier comfort food: Your fave mac and cheese, in a low carb format. Enough said.
- Delicious sauce: It's super creamy and delicious, made with cream cheese and cheddar.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado oil.
- Cauliflower – use pre-cut cauliflower to save time.
- Yellow onion – white onion would be the best substitute here.
- Butter – try using margarine instead.
- Milk – use regular milk, half and half or skim milk.
- Light cream cheese – you can leave this out and double up on the cheddar cheese.
- Cheddar cheese – mozzarella, gouda or Swiss would all be good.
- Chopped chives – feel free to leave these out altogether.
How to make cauliflower mac and cheese
Step 1: Roast the cauliflower.
Roast the cauliflower and onions until fully cooked.
Step 2: Make the cheese sauce.
Whisk the butter, milk, cream cheese and cheddar cheese together.
Step 3: Simmer the sauce.
Simmer until smooth.
Step 4: Toss everything together.
Toss the cauliflower in the cheese sauce and serve.
Tips for the best mac and cheese
Make sure you get the best mac and cheese every time with these tips:
- Use freshly grated cheese: It'll give you a way better melt than the pre-shredded stuff.
- Spice up the sauce: Turn up the heat by adding jalapenos, green chilies or chili powder.
- Let the sauce simmer: Simmer over low until it gets nice and thick.
- Try out different variations: Add in extra veggies, meat like bacon or chicken, or different cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best kind of cheese for mac and cheese?
I like using a combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese, but mozzarella, gouda, Swiss and/or parmesan would all be good.
Why is my sauce grainy/gritty?
If your cheese sauce is grainy or gritty, you had the heat turned up too high. You need to simmer the sauce over low heat for best results.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, but it'll need to cook for longer (about 30 mins). Make sure to pat it dry before tossing it in the sauce.
Serving suggestions
Enjoy this mac and cheese on its own or as a side dish to one of these yummy mains:
- Stuffed chicken breasts
- Burger lettuce wraps for a low-carb feast
- Pulled pork sandwiches
Storing and reheating
Storing: Store any leftovers in the fridge for 5 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 mins or on the stovetop with some butter.
More low-carb cauliflower recipes
Meal prep tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to pack up individual servings of this cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Freeze this recipe in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped into small pieces
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup light cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add cauliflower and onions and toss with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While cauliflower is cooking, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a large saucepan, then add milk, cream cheese and cheddar cheese, whisking to combine and simmering over low heat for 4-5 minutes until smooth.
- Remove cauliflower from oven and toss in cheese sauce. Garnish with extra shredded cheddar cheese (optional) and chives then serve and enjoy!
Video
Comments & Reviews
lescarbeau marc says
very good try it last week
Shannon M says
I have to limit my dairy. Have you had any luck with making this with vegan cheese or other cheese alternatives?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Shannon – I have not tried it with vegan cheese. Please keep me posted if you try it!
Beth says
Generally I don’t Ike cauliflower…..ever!! But I really LOVE this recipe!!!! I decided to give it a whirl because I’m getting company this weekend and a lot of them are doing the Keto diet. This was soooo good!!! I added some crumbled bacon to give it a smokey taste since I will be making it with smoked meat in his weekend. I strongly encourage everyone to try this recipe!!!
Taylor Stinson says
So glad you liked it Beth!!
Geena says
Omg this looks so good will update once I make it