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Make this Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe and enjoy your favorite comfort food without sacrificing taste! This Mac and cheese recipe is made healthier and keto-friendly using cauliflower instead of pasta!
This Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is what you call the adult Mac and Cheese. Now you can have Mac and Cheese without worrying about all the carbs! If you aren’t doing a keto diet, feel free to use low-fat cheese. As far as the heavy cream, you can substitute that with milk and some butter. There are other options for substituting heavy cream but we’ve found that this works best.
If you’re looking for other delicious keto recipes, why not also try my Keto Double Chocolate Cookies and my Keto Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps!
why you’ll love this keto cauliflower mac and cheese
- A dreamy creamy cheese sauce. Made with melty cheddar, nutty parmesan, and heavy cream, this velvety cheese sauce is divine!
- Low carb mac and cheese. Made with cauliflower, this mac and cheese are super hearty but without the worry of all those carbs!
- Easy mac and cheese. Only a handful of kitchen staple ingredients needed, this goes from pantry to table in 30 mins!
ingredients you’ll need
These are just a list of the ingredients you will need to make this Keto mac and cheese. Full measurements are found further down below this post.
- Cauliflower
- Olive Oil
- Heavy Cream
- Cheese – cheddar, Parmesan
- Seasoning – onion powder, garlic powder, salt.
- Jalapeno
HOW TO MAKE keto CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE
- First, broil the cauliflower – Place the seasoned cauliflower florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and broil for 5-8 mins.
- Next, make the cheese sauce – Place your cream, jalapeno, and seasoning in a pot and cook on heat then add the cheeses until melted. Bring to the boil then simmer.
- Then, combine – Remove the florets from the oven and toss in a large bowl with the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
- Finally, serve immediately.
recipe notes and tips
- You may boil the cauliflower florets in a pot for about 10-15 minutes before broiling to get a more tender cauliflower and faster cooking. Some like the cauliflower to be a bit crunchy. This is a personal preference.
- Use a preheated broiler.
- Heat the cheese mixture until smooth, be careful not to overheat.
- If you aren’t doing a keto diet, feel free to use low-fat cheese.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with milk and some butter.
- The cheese sauce will thicken as it cools from boiling hot to warm. If you want it even thicker, you can add more shredded cheese.
- If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave.
- You can use frozen cauliflower, however, it won’t have the same texture as fresh.
- For a milder heat from the jalapenos, deseed them and remove the ribs.
What goes with Mac and Cheese?
Wondering what you can add to mac and cheese? There are a few things you can top your Mac and Cheese with. For this Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe, we simply added some Jalapenos. Here is a list of toppings you can add to your Mac and Cheese:
- Bacon Bits (or make your own and cut into smaller pieces)
- Bread Crumbs
- More grated parmesan cheese or any other cheese
- Black Pepper
- Hot Sauce
- Shredded Chicken for added Protein
- Veggies
What meats go good with mac and cheese?
This comes down to your personal preference. Mac and cheese are one of those comfort foods that work so well with many types of meat. Try these:
- Chopped ham or bacon
- Chicken chunks or shredded turkey
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Ground beef
- Seafood
What is the best cheese for mac and cheese?
It feels like any cheese would be great with mac and cheese. Often times people wonder, so we have listed a few for you to pick from:
- Smoked Gouda
- Parmesan
- Sharp or white cheddar
- Fontina
- Gruyere
- Gorgonzola
- Parmigiano Reggiano
Can you freeze mac and cheese?
Store any leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Also, when ready to eat, allow to thaw and either bake to reheat or warm it up in the microwave.
Other recipes you might like
- Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Loaded Harvest Quinoa Salad
- Creamy Wild Mushroom Pasta
- Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Easy Hawaiian Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
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Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Large Head of cauliflower
- 2 Tsp Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Small Jalapeno, finely diced
- 1 Tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to high broil.
- Cut the head of cauliflower into small florets and toss them in a bowl with the olive oil. Place the florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Broil for 5-8 minutes or until the florets are tender and roasted.
- Meanwhile, place the heavy cream, jalapeno, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt into a saucepan or small pot over high heat.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Add in the cheeses and stir until melted.
- Remove the florets from the oven and toss in a large bowl with the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- You may boil the cauliflower florets in a pot for about 10-15 minutes before broiling to get a more tender cauliflower and faster cooking. Some like the cauliflower to be a bit crunchy. This is a personal preference.
- Use a preheated broiler.
- Heat the cheese mixture until smooth, be careful not to overheat.
- If you aren’t doing a keto diet, feel free to use low-fat cheese.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with milk and some butter.
- The cheese sauce will thicken as it cools from boiling hot to warm. If you want it even thicker, you can add more shredded cheese.
- If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave.
- You can use frozen cauliflower, however, it won’t have the same texture as fresh.
- For a milder heat from the jalapenos, deseed them and remove the ribs.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
