Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
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Updated on 05/30/22
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Mac and cheese is classic comfort food that's loved by kids and adults alike. But if you're looking to follow a gluten-free or keto diet, then it's not usually an option. Thanks to a simple ingredient swap using versatile cauliflower, this drool-worthy cauliflower mac and cheese is diet-friendly while still satisfying the same cheesy, melty craving.

Tender-crisp roasted cauliflower is coated in a simple cheese sauce of cheddar, cream cheese, milk, and spices. Dijon mustard adds a nice kick of flavor without overwhelming the dish. Topped with a sprinkling of Parmesan and baked, it comes out bubbling and lightly browned on top. Broil it for a minute or two if you like the top extra toasty.

If you're not eating gluten-free or keto, you can add a topping of melted butter and breadcrumbs for an extra crunch.

Ingredients

  • 1 (2-pound) head cauliflower, cut into medium florets, stem trimmed and coarsely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 4 ounces cubed cream cheese, room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Thinly sliced chives, optional, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese ingredients

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

    baking dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 F.

    cauliflower on a baking dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Add the milk, cream cheese, mustard, turmeric, and garlic powder to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk until the cheese sauce is warmed through and creamy. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese.

    cheese sauce in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower and cheese sauce and mix. Taste for seasoning. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.

    cheese sauce poured over the cauliflower in a baking dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. Bake for about 20 minutes or until bubbly, warmed all the way through, and brown on top. If you'd like your mac and cheese browner on top, place under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes. Top with chopped chive, if desired.

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, in a baking dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Recipe Variations

  • If you're not eating keto or gluten-free, add a breadcrumb topping for extra crunch. Mix 1/3 cup breadcrumbs with 3 tablespoons melted butter and top the casserole before baking along with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Change up the flavor by using different cheeses. Try Gruyere cheese or swap half of the cheddar cheese for pepper Jack for a kick.
  • Mix in a few tablespoons of cooked chopped bacon.
  • Add some color and extra veggie power by mixing in up to 1 cup of frozen peas.
  • Add a couple of pinches of cayenne pepper and diced jalapeno for spicy mac and cheese.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
419 Calories
33g Fat
12g Carbs
20g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 419
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 43%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 660mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 67mg 335%
Calcium 530mg 41%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 360mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)