Best 6 Cauliflower Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a healthier, yet equally comforting version of the classic mac and cheese with this delectable Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese recipe. Featuring a creamy sauce made from cauliflower, this dish offers a nutritious twist on the traditional pasta dish, providing a rich and satisfying meal without compromising on taste. Discover a symphony of flavors and textures as the roasted cauliflower adds a subtle sweetness and a delightful crunch, while the creamy sauce, made with a blend of almond milk and nutritional yeast, delivers a luscious and cheesy experience. Explore variations of this recipe, including a vegan version that uses plant-based milk and vegan cheese alternatives, ensuring everyone can enjoy this guilt-free comfort food. Experiment with different toppings such as crispy bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables to create a customized and flavorful dish. Embark on a culinary journey with this Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese, a wholesome and satisfying meal that caters to various dietary preferences and taste buds.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Cauliflower

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt, as needed, plus 1/2 teaspoon
1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets
Vegetable oil spray
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, plus 1/2 cup for topping the casserole
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the water with salt.
  • Spray the baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
  • Cook the cauliflower in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pat between several layers of paper towels to dry. Transfer the cauliflower to the baking dish and set aside.
  • Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, and whisk in the cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese, salt, pepper and garlic and whisk just until the cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, pour over the cauliflower, and stir to combine. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake until browned and bubbly hot, about 15 minutes. Serve.

CAULIFLOWER MAC N CHEESE



Cauliflower Mac N Cheese image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 1h50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Salt
1 pound short cut pasta (recommended: macaroni, ziti or penne rigate or, whole wheat or whole grain pasta)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large head cauliflower
1 cup chicken stock
3 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons flour
About 2 1/2 cups whole milk
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
3 to 4 sprigs fresh sage leaves, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup sharp white Cheddar cheese
1 cup Gruyere cheese
1 cup shredded Parmigiano cheese
1 small bundle watercress, washed and chopped

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil for pasta. Salt the water and undercook the pasta by 2 minutes, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • While the water comes to a boil, in a covered Dutch oven heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Cut the core away from the cauliflower and set the head into the pot and add 1 cup stock, cover and steam 12 to 15 minutes until tender. Remove and separate the cauliflower into florets. Discard water from pot.
  • Over medium heat in the same pot, melt the butter, then add onions and garlic. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender. Add in the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Whisk in the whole milk and season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and sage. When thickened, stir in the Dijon mustard and 2/3 of the combined cheeses.
  • Drain the pasta, add to the cauliflower, stir in the cheese sauce, transfer to baking dish, top with remaining cheese. Cool completely and cover for a make-ahead meal.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Bake until brown on a baking sheet to catch the bubble-over. The casserole will take 40 to 45 minutes to heat through.
  • Garnish bowls of cauli-mac-n-cheese with chopped spicy watercress.

CAULIFLOWER "MAC 'N' CHEESE" CASSEROLE



Cauliflower

This gluten-free dish offers all the melty goodness of a mac 'n' cheese dinner, without the carb-heavy pasta. A dash of curry powder adds a gentle hint of spice that makes this a freezer dinner the whole family can get excited about. Make a double batch and freeze an extra for an emergency dinner that's actually delicious.

Provided by Anna Stockwell

Categories     Freezer Food     Macaroni and Cheese     Cauliflower     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Cheese     Milk/Cream     Dinner     Vegetarian     Cheese Week

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 cups coarsely chopped cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 cups whole milk
6 ounces cream cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 ounces mozzarella, shredded (about 1 1/4 cups)
6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded (about 1 1/4 cup), plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives (optional)
Special Equipment
1 (2-quart) or 4 (2-cup) freezer-to-oven-safe baking dishes

Steps:

  • Toss cauliflower and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce plastic with a knife a few times to vent, and microwave on high 10 minutes. Carefully remove plastic and transfer cauliflower to a colander. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, cook milk, cream cheese, curry powder, mustard, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth, about 4 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Add cauliflower and toss to combine. Add mozzarella and 6 oz. cheddar and toss to combine-mixture should be cool enough so cheese doesn't melt. Transfer cauliflower mixture to freezer-to-oven-safe baking dish or dishes.
  • If baking immediately, preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil and bake casserole until heated through and just beginning to bubble, about 45 minutes for large dish, or about 30 minutes for small dishes. Remove foil and sprinkle cheddar over. Heat broiler and broil until top is browned and bubbling, 2-5 minutes.
  • If freezing to bake later, cover dish with an airtight lid or double layer of plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months. To cook, preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil and bake casserole 45 minutes for large dish, or 30 minutes for small dishes. Remove foil and stir well with a rubber spatula. Continue to bake, uncovered, until just bubbling and heated through, 10-15 minutes more. Sprinkle cheddar over. Heat broiler and broil until top is browned and bubbling, 2-5 minutes.
  • To cook individually portioned frozen casseroles in the microwave, partially cover and microwave on high 4 minutes. Uncover, stir, and microwave at 1-minute intervals until heated through, 4-5 minutes more.
  • Top with chives, if using, before serving.
  • Do Ahead
  • Casserole(s) can be assembled 1 day ahead; cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

5-INGREDIENT CAULIFLOWER MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



5-Ingredient Cauliflower Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: cauliflower, salt, pepper, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh parsley

Provided by Mercedes Sandoval

Categories     Sides

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 head cauliflower
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
¼ cup sour cream, or greek yogurt
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
fresh parsley, chopped, optional

Steps:

  • Cut cauliflower into small florets, about 4 cups (1.2 kg).
  • Add cauliflower florets into a 6-quart (6 L) Dutch oven of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes.
  • Drain the cauliflower in a colander, and return to the pot. Reduce heat to low.
  • Add in salt, pepper, and sour cream, and stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.
  • Remove from heat. Top with parsley (optional).
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 calories, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 14 grams, Sugar 7 grams

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE



Cauliflower

Somewhere between macaroni and cheese, British cauliflower cheese and a cauliflower gratin is this burbling dish of tangy, creamy cauliflower. Cauliflower florets cut into noodle-size pieces step in for macaroni in this pasta-less macaroni and cheese; they're roasted and draped in a mixture of melty Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne. You could also add mustard, thyme or rosemary, or even caramelized onions, and swap out the Cheddar for Gruyère or another cheese. As the cauliflower cooks in the cream mixture, the cream thickens slightly and the cauliflower continues to brown. Serve it with a bright, crisp salad to offset the richness.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, weekday, casseroles, vegetables, main course, side dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 large cauliflower (2 1/2 pounds), cut into small florets the size of macaroni
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar (about 6 ounces)
1 cup heavy cream
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, spread in an even layer and roast until browned and cooked through but retaining some bite, about 15 minutes.
  • Transfer the cauliflower to an 8-inch or other 2-quart baking dish. (You could also bake this in individual ramekins; just mix the cauliflower with the other ingredients in a medium bowl before dividing.) Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar. Add the remaining 1 1/4 cups Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne to the cauliflower and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then top with the reserved 1/4 cup Cheddar.
  • Roast until the cream has thickened, the cheese has melted, and some of the cauliflower is browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

CAULIFLOWER MAC-N-CHEESE



Cauliflower Mac-N-Cheese image

Simple mac-n-cheese.

Provided by Zach Paquette

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
½ cup cauliflower florets
cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
½ (8 ounce) package cream cheese
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Place cauliflower in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
  • Coat a large saucepan with non-stick cooking spray; place over medium heat. Add oil and flour; cook, stirring constantly, until a thick paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk; cook and stir until mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Mix cauliflower, Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper into milk mixture; stir until sauce is smooth. Fold macaroni into sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.3 g, Cholesterol 77.7 mg, Fat 28.5 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 655.5 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right cauliflower: Look for a head of cauliflower that is firm and white, with no brown spots or blemishes.
  • Cook the cauliflower until it is tender: You can boil, steam, or roast the cauliflower, but make sure it is cooked through before you add it to the cheese sauce.
  • Make a creamy cheese sauce: Use a combination of cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cream to make a smooth and creamy sauce.
  • Season the cheese sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
  • Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce: Use your favorite type of macaroni, such as elbow macaroni or penne.
  • Top with bread crumbs and bake: This will give the cauliflower mac and cheese a crispy topping.

Conclusion:

Cauliflower mac and cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional mac and cheese. It is made with cauliflower instead of macaroni, which makes it lower in carbs and calories. It is also a good source of fiber and vitamins. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck. It is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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