If you're a fan of comfort food and plant-based cuisine, then you must try the tantalizing delight of cauliflower mac n cheese, a hearty and healthy dish that delivers a burst of flavor with every bite. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this crowd-pleasing recipe is a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness and crispy, roasted cauliflower florets. Whether you're looking for a vegan alternative to traditional mac n cheese or simply seeking a lighter and more nutritious dish, this recipe has you covered.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
5-INGREDIENT CAULIFLOWER MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
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
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 CASSEROLE
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.
VEGAN CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE
This low-fat, dairy-free version of an American classic certainly has the right look, with its creamy orange sauce, thanks to pureed cauliflower, vegan Cheddar and turmeric. We used umami-packed miso paste and nutritional yeast to evoke the savory, nutty quality of cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Put the cauliflower and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is fully softened, about 20 minutes. Transfer the cooked cauliflower and all the cooking liquid to a food processor and set aside. Wipe out the saucepan.
- Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, miso, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne and turmeric until well combined. Gradually whisk in the almond milk, nutritional yeast and brown sugar and bring just to a simmer. Remove from heat.
- Process the cauliflower until smooth. With the food processor running, gradually add the warm almond milk mixture and process until extra creamy.
- Transfer the cauliflower-almond milk mixture to a large saucepan over medium heat, add the vegan Cheddar and stir occasionally until it melts.
- Meanwhile, add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Strain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Stir in some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to reach your desired consistency. Add salt to taste. Serve hot with hot sauce on the side if using.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 460 calorie, Fat 15 grams, SaturatedFat 1.5 grams, Sodium 650 milligrams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 16 grams, Sugar 6 grams
CAULIFLOWER "MACARONI" AND CHEESE
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
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-N-CHEESE
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
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
MASTERCHEF CAULIFLOWER "MAC 'N' CHEESE"
Okay, so this doesn't actually have any "mac" in it, but it's still a great dish. This is a slight adaptation of a recipe I found in the June 13, 2011 issue of People. The original was created by the MasterChef winner, Whitney Miller. The only change I made was to use regular milk instead of fat-free. After reading that dairies often add powdered milk to their skim to mask its naturally blue color (yes, Blue!) I just can't endorse the stuff.
Provided by Chilicat
Categories Cheese
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F Toss florets in oil on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper. Roast until fork-tender and lightly browned, 25 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Reduce oven to 350°F.
- Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute (I cooked mine for a few more minutes to a toasty brown). Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Whisk in cream and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoons pepper and all but 2 tablespoons of cheese. Stir over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. (I didn't even turn my flame back on, just stirred until the cheese melted from the residual heat.).
- Place cauliflower in an 8x8-in. glass baking dish or 4 10-oz. ramekins. Pour cheese sauce on top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake until sauce is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 597.8, Fat 52.3, SaturatedFat 29.2, Cholesterol 155.6, Sodium 676, Carbohydrate 20.4, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 4.3, Protein 16.1
GH CAULIFLOWER MAC 'N' CHEESE #5FIX
5-Ingredient Fix Contest Entry. This is from Good Housekeeping Sept 2012. Six months later I tried the recipe, and I don't want to lose it! It's soooo good, and less guilt about eating "cheese" sauce! We used chicken broth and penne, and it was delicious!
Provided by swankypup
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat salted water to boiling on high. Add cauliflower florets (discard core) cut into 2-inch pieces and 4 carrots thinly sliced. Cook 15 minutes or until tender.
- In blender, combine broth, cream cheese, mustard, cayenne, 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons black pepper. With slotted spoon, transfer tender cauliflower and carrots into blender.
- Add pasta to same water veggies were cooked inches Cook half the time that label directs, adding broccoli during last minute of cooking. Drain.
- Mix pasta, broccoli, cauliflower sauce, and half of tomatoes in a 2-1/2 quart shallow baking dish.
- Top with remaining 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the other half of tomorroes.
- Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown on top and heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 369, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 21.2, Sodium 220.1, Carbohydrate 58.3, Fiber 5.6, Sugar 6.6, Protein 17.9
Tips:
- Use fresh cauliflower: Fresh cauliflower has a better flavor and texture than frozen cauliflower. If you must use frozen cauliflower, be sure to thaw it completely before using.
- Use a food processor to rice the cauliflower: This is the easiest way to get the cauliflower into small, even pieces. You can also use a grater, but it will take longer.
- Season the cauliflower rice well: Cauliflower rice can be bland, so it's important to season it well. Use a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings to create a flavorful dish.
- Don't overcook the cauliflower rice: Cauliflower rice cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked cauliflower rice will become mushy and lose its flavor.
- Use a good quality cheese sauce: The cheese sauce is what makes mac and cheese so delicious, so it's important to use a good quality cheese sauce. You can use a store-bought cheese sauce or make your own.
- Add mix-ins: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins to your cauliflower mac and cheese. Some popular mix-ins include cooked bacon, diced chicken, and peas.
Conclusion:
Cauliflower mac and cheese is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a classic comfort food. It's a great option for those who are following a low-carb or keto diet, or for those who are simply looking for a healthier alternative to traditional mac and cheese. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a cauliflower mac and cheese recipe that everyone will enjoy.
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