Best Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
A creamy, cheesy cauliflower mac and cheese that offers a low-carb alternative to traditional macaroni and cheese. Roasted cauliflower is blended with a rich sauce made from heavy cream, cream cheese, and a blend of cheddar, Gruyere, and Monterey Jack cheeses for a satisfying, comforting dish that pairs perfectly as a side or a vegetarian main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting and Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small bite-size pieces (1 large head OR 2 small heads)
Roasting
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Cheese Sauce
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or milk, or a combination to total 1 1/2 cups)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Roast Cauliflower: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the cauliflower pieces on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to coat all pieces evenly. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and some edges have browned.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large pot set over low heat, combine the heavy cream and cream cheese. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted into the cream. Gradually add the shredded cheddar, Gruyere, and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until the mixture is smooth and all cheese has melted. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook only until the sauce comes to a simmer, then remove from heat and whisk vigorously to create a silky texture.
- Combine and Serve: Add the roasted cauliflower to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat all pieces evenly. Serve immediately, optionally dusted with paprika for a hint of spice, and enjoy a comforting, lower-carb mac and cheese alternative.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with whole milk or a mix of milk and cream to lighten the dish.
- Roasting the cauliflower gives the dish a deeper flavor and better texture compared to boiling.
- For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or microwave, but may require a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure cheeses used are free of animal rennet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: cauliflower mac and cheese, low carb mac and cheese, roasted cauliflower recipe, cheesy cauliflower, comfort food, vegetarian mac and cheese
