Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: Perfectly rich, creamy and cheesy keto friendly Macaroni and Cheese made with Cauliflower! Get all of the decadence without the carbs and pasta! If you love this recipe, you will also love my Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Southern Mac and Cheese, Lobster Macaroni and Cheese , White Cheddar Mac and Cheese and Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese!
Thank you Chanel Murphy of My Fabulous Food for sharing your amazing recipe!
Hey everyone! My name is Chanel Murphy, and I am the owner of My Fabulous Food. I sell gourmet seasonings for culinary enthusiasts and love to create delicious recipes and beautiful food photography. I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina and love a variety of different foods. Seafood and low-country cuisine are my favorites! I love to experiment with different ingredients and get creative in the kitchen. Since becoming a mother, my belief is that recipes should be easy to make, but full of flavor. My cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is uncomplicated and reminiscent of traditional southern mac and cheese – without the carbs!
Why substitute cauliflower for macaroni?
I absolutely love mac and cheese! It’s one of my favorite dishes, and you can be so creative with it! I love to experiment with different cheeses and flavors. Sometimes I may add seafood in it, bacon, or truffles for extra flavor. What’s unique about this recipe? It does not contain all the carbs due to the cauliflower substitution, is keto-friendly, but still gives you that amazing mac and cheese taste!
Ketogenic-friendly recipes are generally low in carbohydrates and higher in fats. Following a ketogenic diet helps you to burn fats more easily and is beneficial for weight loss. When you reduce your carb intake, your body enters a state called “ketosis” where your body burns fat for energy.
What type of cheeses should I use to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?
My number one tip when making any mac and cheese is to use block cheese. Block cheeses are free from chemicals typically found in shredded cheeses. Shredded cheeses contain unhealthy additives used to prevent caking. You can easily grate block cheeses, and they add a creamier taste to your dish!
When I make mac and cheese, I love to try different cheeses. Some of my favorite cheeses to use are creamy havarti, gouda, gruyere, white cheddar, and mild and sharp cheddar. Mascarpone (Italian cream cheese) is also one of my favorite cheeses to use in mac and cheese.
How do I steam the cauliflower heads?
There are multiple ways to steam cauliflower heads. The goal is to soften the cauliflower prior to baking it. Keep in mind, unlike macaroni pasta, cauliflower produces a lot of its own moisture.
The first way is to use a large pot with a steamer basket over medium-high heat. With this method, add a couple of inches of water in the bottom of the pan, place the steamer basket on top of the pot and place the cauliflower in the basket. Afterwards, cover the pot with a lid. Steam the cauliflower heads for approximately 10 minutes.
If you do not have a steamer, another method is to place a metal colander over a large pot filled with two inches of water. With this method, you have to make sure the pot is large enough to hold the colander. Place a lid over the colander to make sure the cauliflower softens completely.
A third method is to simply fill a large pot with a couple of inches of water and place the cauliflower heads inside. Place the lid on top of the pot, steam for 10 minutes, and make sure to drain the excess water off the cauliflower once removed.
Lastly, you can use the microwave to steam your cauliflower! Fill the bottom of a microwave-safe bowl with water, and place the cauliflower heads inside the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid, leaving a small corner open to vent, and microwave on high for 5 minutes or until the cauliflower is softened.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 heads of cauliflower washed and leaves removed
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- garlic powder to taste
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups shredded cheeses I used creamy havarti, colby jack, and mild cheddar cheeses.
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour approximately 2 inches of water into a large pot with a steamer basket. Warm water over medium-high heat, and add cauliflower heads to the steamer basket. Cover the pot with a lid. Steam the cauliflower for approximately 10 minutes or until easily pierced.
- Once cauliflower is softened, chop the heads into small chunks that are approximately 1-inch in diameter. Place cauliflower chunks into a baking dish (at least 9 inches wide).
- Season cauliflower with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, eggs, and heavy cream to form a custard. Pour the custard into the cauliflower and mix until cauliflower is evenly coated.
- Mix 2 cups of shredded cheeses into the cauliflower mixture. Top the dish with the remaining cup of cheese. Season the top of the dish with additional pepper.
- Bake the cauliflower mac and cheese for 35 minutes or until bubbly. To brown the top cheese, broil for 1-2 additional minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
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My family DESTROYED this dish!! No one even missed the pasta. Will definitely be putting this in our rotation.
Looks delicious How! How much frozen cauliflower should I use?