Best 8 Macaroni And Cheese With Cauliflower Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort dish, gets a healthy makeover with the addition of cauliflower. This creamy and cheesy pasta is made with a blend of cauliflower and macaroni, providing a boost of nutrients and a lighter texture. The recipe uses a combination of sharp cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy sauce made with milk, butter, and flour. It's a perfect meal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend lunch.

In this article, we've compiled a collection of macaroni and cheese with cauliflower recipes that cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. From a low-carb version made with cauliflower rice to a gluten-free option using chickpea pasta, there's something for everyone. We also have a vegan macaroni and cheese recipe made with a creamy cashew sauce and a flavorful roasted cauliflower topping. Whether you're looking for a healthier take on a classic dish or a plant-based alternative, these recipes offer a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MAC AND CHEESE WITH CAULIFLOWER



Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
1/3 cup panko
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
8 ounces whole-grain elbow macaroni
1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 2% milk
2 ounces light cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
1 5-ounce package baby spinach (about 8 cups)

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 grated garlic clove in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat until foamy. Stir in the panko, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the parsley.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs for al dente, adding the cauliflower during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain the macaroni and cauliflower; set aside. Carefully wipe out the pot.
  • Return the pot to the stove, add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 grated garlic cloves and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, return to a simmer and cook until thickened and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese and cheddar until smooth; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Stir the spinach into the cheese sauce until wilted, then add the macaroni and cauliflower; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the reserved cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Divide among bowls and top with the herbed panko.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 740, Fat 35 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Cholesterol 99 milligrams, Sodium 873 milligrams, Carbohydrate 74 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 32 grams, Sugar 11 grams

SKINNY CAULIFLOWER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Skinny Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese image

The savory version of having your cake and eating it too, this slimmed-down, super-creamy mac and cheese gets a veggie boost from 2 cups of cauliflower florets, which add wonderful flavor and texture.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 cups water
2 cups chopped cauliflower florets
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1/2 cup Progresso™ Panko Italian style crispy bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

  • In 4-quart saucepan, heat water to boiling over medium heat. Add cauliflower and macaroni; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is tender. Drain; return to saucepan, and cover to keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, stir milk, flour, mustard, salt, black pepper and red pepper with whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted.
  • Add cheese sauce to cooked pasta mixture; mix well. Spoon into baking dish. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over pasta mixture in baking dish. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410, Carbohydrate 47 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 3 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 670 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 1/2 g

CAULIFLOWER "MACARONI" AND CHEESE



Cauliflower

A healthier version of the classic comfort food... it won for "Best Mac and Cheese" at our annual cookout, kids love it, and you don't feel as guilty!

Provided by angelinamarie3

Categories     Cauliflower Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and set on paper towels to dry.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and cook until bubbling. Slowly add 1 cup Cheddar cheese; cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Place cauliflower in the prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over top and stir until thoroughly coated. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is fully melted, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.8 calories, Carbohydrate 6.3 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 11.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.7 g, Sodium 283.9 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

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.

BAKED CAULIFLOWER MACARONI & CHEESE



Baked Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese image

Cauliflower florets are baked into this creamy macaroni and cheese with a golden brown panko topping.

Provided by Horizon Organic

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Horizon® Organic

Time 30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

Cooking spray
1 ½ cups bite-size cauliflower florets
1 (6 ounce) box Horizon® ClassicMac™ Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
½ cup reduced fat milk
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
⅓ cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
⅔ cup panko bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a ceramic or glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and boil for one minute. Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Cook pasta shells in the same water, following instructions on the Horizon package. To the drained pasta, add 1/2 cup milk (instead of 1/4 cup as shown on the package), 2 tablespoons butter, and packet of cheese powder.
  • Stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; mix well until combined and cheese is melted. Add cauliflower and mix. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Spoon macaroni and cheese into prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter. In a small bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337.1 calories, Carbohydrate 35.7 g, Cholesterol 51.6 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 691.8 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

CAULIFLOWER & MACARONI CHEESE



Cauliflower & macaroni cheese image

What do you get if you add cauliflower, cheese and macaroni? Comfort food heaven

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Lunch, Main course

Time 30m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

250g macaroni
1 head cauliflower , broken into pieces
25g butter
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp English mustard powder
450ml milk
100g cheddar , grated

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni following pack instructions, adding the cauliflower for the final 4 mins.
  • Melt the butter in a pan, then stir in the flour and mustard powder and cook for 2 mins. Gradually add the milk, stirring all the time to get a smooth sauce. Add three-quarters of the cheese and some seasoning to the sauce.
  • Drain the macaroni and cauliflower and stir into the cheese sauce. Transfer to an ovenproof dish, then sprinkle over the remaining cheese and flash under a hot grill until golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 446 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 10 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 57 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 19 grams protein, Sodium 0.68 milligram of sodium

CAULIFLOWER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by KathyP53

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h20m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
8 ounces pancetta, julienned
1 1/2 lbs cauliflower, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white wine
3 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Fontina cheese
3 cups shredded gouda cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lb macaroni, cooked until al dente

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In bowl, combine crumbs, melted butter, parsley, 1 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoons black pepper. In 4 quart pot over medium heat; cook pancetta 8 minutes. Transfer to small bowl; reserve fat.
  • Cook cauliflower in batches 10-12 minutes, adding up to 3 tablespoons butter if needed. Transfer to bowl. Deglaze pot with 2 tablespoons water; add to cauliflower. Wash pot.
  • In same pot over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Cook flour 3 minutes. Whisk in wine and milk; cook 10 minutes. Stir in cheeses, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoons black pepper, cayenne, nutmeg and cream, then cooked pasta, pancetta and cauliflower. Top with bread crumbs., Bake 30 minutes, broil 4-5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 589.9, Fat 26, SaturatedFat 15.2, Cholesterol 77.7, Sodium 481.4, Carbohydrate 68.2, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 4.9, Protein 20.7

CAULIFLOWER AND MACARONI



Cauliflower and Macaroni image

This is another wonderful old recipe from my Aunt. Can also be made with broccoli and any type of pasta. This is a great way to use up any leftover quantities of dried macaroni.

Provided by Maureenie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large head cauliflower, parboiled and cut into stems, liquid reserved
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 lb mixed macaroni (broken spaghetti, ditalini, ziti)
romano cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil over medium flame in pot with low sides.
  • Add garlic, parsley, oregano, and red pepper.
  • Add 1 cup of reserved liquid from cauliflower and 1 cup water.
  • Add cauliflower, cover, and bring water to a boil.
  • Add salt and pasta and stir well. Lower heat to simmer and cover.
  • Cook and stir until done, about 20 minutes.
  • Consistency will be thick and soupy. Can add more cauliflower water if too dry during cooking.
  • Sprinkle with cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 360.5, Carbohydrate 55, Fiber 7.3, Sugar 6.1, Protein 11.9

Tips:

  • To save time, use a pre-riced bag of cauliflower.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower by hand.
  • Be sure to drain the cauliflower well after ricing or grating it.
  • Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. A sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses will give you a more flavorful mac and cheese.
  • If you like a crispy topping, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the mac and cheese before baking.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately, or bake it ahead of time and reheat it when you're ready to eat.

Conclusion:

This macaroni and cheese with cauliflower is a delicious and healthy twist on a classic comfort food. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. The cauliflower adds a boost of nutrients without sacrificing any of the flavor. So next time you're craving mac and cheese, give this recipe a try.

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