| | |

4-Ingredient Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.

Recipes can’t get more fun than this baked cauliflower mac and cheese. It’s flavorful, creamy, and completely ironic. There’s no “mac” here but what you will find is a whole bunch of tender cauliflower florets coated in ooey-gooey cheese baked to perfection.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese - Easy Keto Low Carb Side Dish.

With just 4 key ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this low-carb and gluten-free casserole dish is the perfect way to sneak in veggies while still enjoying a comfort food classic — minus the heavy carbohydrates. Bonus is that it’s incredibly easy to make in just 30 minutes!

Cozy, healthy, and delicious, this veggie-forward bake is a total crowd-pleaser that can feed six hungry people. It’s worth making from scratch and is great for entertaining or as a side dish for a multi-course meal.

It’s easily adaptable to suit a keto diet, and I’m 99.9 percent sure you can get your kiddos, hubby, and all the picky eaters in your life to eat and love this. You can halve the recipe or make the full batch, divide it in two, and store one for later. Either way, one of my favorite low-carb vegetable recipes you can’t afford to miss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

My recipe swaps cauliflower for the traditional pasta. While this isn’t the same as the good ol’ Kraft boxed mac and cheese many of us grew up with, I’d take this recipe any day because it’s so much healthier.

I keep it on repeat at our house, we just can’t get enough! I’m sure your family will love the baked cauliflower mac and cheese as much as we do. Here’s why:

  • Simple ingredients: All you need is a whole head of cauliflower, some cheese, and a few kitchen staples to whip up this recipe.
  • Short prep and baking time: Serve in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Amazing flavors: Even without the classic flour-and-butter roux, this recipe is close to the real deal with a great balance of creamy and cheesy from heavy cream and sharp cheddar cheese. The cauliflower florets add a satisfying texture to every mouthful!
  • Family-friendly and kid-approved: Great for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to traditional comfort food, plus an easy way to get the kids to eat more veggies.
  • Basic kitchen equipment: No fancy kitchen tools are needed, just a saucepan, a pot, a whisk, and a baking dish.  
  • Easy-to-follow directions: Prepare this quick and easy cauliflower bake by following 6 straightforward steps (no advanced baking skills required!).

You can even add this crowd-pleaser to your collection of Christmas dinner recipes. It’s that good and sure to impress your guests!

Baked cauliflower mac and cheese served in a black pan.

How to Make Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower has truly become a game-changer when cooking or baking, knowing it’s a versatile veggie that I can use instead of potatoes, pasta, rice, or anything starchy. 

Steam cauliflower and smooth it in a sauce before baking it into a gooey, melty mac and cheese that’s cozy yet healthy.

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make this creamy and savory baked cauliflower mac and cheese.

Ingredients You Need

I’ve tried out several different baked cauliflower mac and cheese recipes but this is still, by far, my favorite. It’s simple and satisfying, you’ll be asking for seconds, thirds, or more! The recipe calls for just a few basic ingredients, which are as follows:

  • Cauliflower: Use a whole head of fresh cauliflower, about 1.5 pounds, chopped into small florets about the size of macaroni.
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Cheddar cheese: Shredded to ensure it melts well when baked.
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Dijon mustard: Optional for a little tang to the cheese sauce.
  • Garlic powder: Optional, to give the dish that garlicky kick.
A pan of baked cauliflower mac and cheese.

Step-By-Step Instructions

With just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients, you and your family can enjoy a creamy, indulgent, and veggie-packed dish in 30 minutes or less. Serve it as a side dish or anytime you need a quick “pasta” fix. Follow these steps to make the perfect baked cauliflower mac and cheese:

  1. Prepare the cauliflower. While preheating the oven, chop the cauliflower into florets. Steam until soft, making sure to drain excess water.
  2. Make the cheese sauce. Mix whipped cream, cream cheese, and a portion of shredded cheese in a saucepan. Once smooth and thick, season with salt and pepper, plus optional garlic and mustard.
  3. Combine ingredients and bake. Place the cauliflower mixture in a baking dish, then pour the cheesy sauce. Stir until well combined, then top with remaining cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to sit and cool before serving.

Loving the oven for your meals? Try baked tomatoes with parmesan and mozzarella cheese from RealBalanced next!

Variations

My recipe is everything a baked cauliflower mac and cheese should be. It’s satisfying, packed with flavors, and completely worth the effort. Of course, you can easily customize it to suit your taste and dietary preferences, so feel free to incorporate your favorite add-ins or substitutions. Here are some popular ideas:

  • Substitute broccoli for cauliflower.
  • Replace cheddar with Gouda, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, or Gruyere. You can even mix and match to make a delicious 3-cheese blend.
  • Amp up the flavor by adding minced green onions or shallots, with herbs like fresh parsley, thyme, and oregano.
  • For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, chili powder, or smoked paprika; or sprinkle in some chopped jalapeños, diced green chiles, or crushed red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce.
  • Add bits of ham, shredded rotisserie chicken, or cooked ground beef for extra protein.
  • Sneak in more veggies such as sautéed spinach bell peppers or mushrooms.

Expert Tips

  • Choosing the cauliflower. Your mac and cheese will only be as good as your cauliflower! Make sure it’s large, heavy, and compact, with green leaves that are not yellowing or wilting.
  • Prevent a watery veggie bake. Let the cauliflower cook until soft and tender, then drain it well so you’re not adding extra liquid to the dish. Pat the florets dry with a paper towel or clean dishcloth, then let them sit and dry before combining with the sauce.
  • Use freshly grated cheese. Skip pre-grated, packaged cheeses since they contain preservatives like anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well and could make your sauce grainy. Fresh is always better and shredding the cheese yourself is worth the effort.

How to Store This Recipe

My baked cauliflower mac and cheese keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing as it will alter the flavor and texture of the mac and cheese once thawed.

The best way to reheat leftovers is to give it a good stir in a saucepan and heat on the stove-top over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the cheesy sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or milk to thin it out.

A pan of baked cauliflower mac and cheese on a wooden surface.

What to Serve with Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Baked cauliflower mac and cheese is so rich and filling that I often serve it as a side or part of a larger buffet. Here are some ideas for a well-rounded meal:

More Easy Cauliflower Recipes to Try

If you make this baked cauliflower mac and cheese, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and comment

A pan of baked cauliflower mac and cheese on a wooden surface.

Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

This baked cauliflower mac and cheese is a twist on a classic comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and healthy, it’s made with just 4 key ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes.
4.89 from 62 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Sides and Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 266 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 °F.
  • Cut cauliflower into small pieces. Steam in a saucepan until soft. Strain out and discard the water.
  • Whisk the cream and cream cheese in the saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Stir in 1½ cups shredded cheese (save the other ½ cup to sprinkle on top). Continue warming until sauce is smooth and thick. Season with salt, pepper, and optional mustard or garlic.
  • Arrange the cauliflower in an 8×8-inch or 2 quart oval baking dish. Pour the sauce over and mix to combine.
  • Top with remaining ½ cup cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes, until brown and bubbly.
  • Cool slightly and serve warm.

Nutrition & Macros

Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 13gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 704mgFiber: 3gNet Carbohydrates: 3g

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a review and share with me!

Similar Posts

22 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday and whole family loved it! Amazing flavors and I love how kids love it. They’re picky eaters so I am so glad they loved it and asked for more. No leftovers! A healthy alternative indeed.

  2. 5 stars
    I’m in love with this recipe! It’s so creamy and comforting! I’m definitely making this cauliflower mac and cheese again this weekend!

    1. Thank you, Olive. I appreciate the warm feedback. I hope you enjoy making it again. Happy cooking.

  3. 5 stars
    This dish was amazing! The cauliflower was tender and the cheese sauce was so creamy. I used Gruyere cheese, and it added a wonderful depth of flavor. Will definitely make it again.

    1. I’m so glad you loved it, Laura. Thank you for leaving a kind feedback. I hope the next batch will be just as lovely as the first one!

  4. 5 stars
    Thanks to this simple and easy-to-follow cauliflower mac and cheese, I got to enjoy my comfort food! A big YES to homemade and healthy meals!

  5. 5 stars
    As someone on a low-carb diet, this baked cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is a lifesaver. It’s so creamy and comforting without the guilt. I will definitely make this again next week! Thank you for this!

  6. Just made this recipe, and it’s a low-carb dream come true! Cheesy, comforting, and surprisingly close to the real deal. A must-try for keto enthusiasts! Cant wait to recommend it to my friends.

  7. 5 stars
    My best friend was recently diagnosed with celiac disease and this was the perfect dinner for us! I didn’t even miss the noodles, the cauliflower was great.

4.89 from 62 votes (52 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating