Best 10 Macaroni And Cheese With Cauliflower Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food but can be high in calories and fat. If you're looking for a healthier version, try using cauliflower. Cauliflower is a low-carb, high-fiber vegetable that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including macaroni and cheese. If you want to sneak more vegetables into your family’s diet while still serving up a meal that feels indulgent, macaroni and cheese with cauliflower is the perfect solution. Keep reading for some of the most delicious cauliflower macaroni and cheese recipes.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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 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 "MAC" AND CHEESE



Cauliflower

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter, plus more for the pan
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Hot sauce, as needed
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
One 4-ounce log fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with butter.
  • Cook the cauliflower in the boiling water until just crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
  • In a large saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat. Whisk in the dry mustard and add some hot sauce, salt and pepper. Just before the milk comes to a boil, turn off the heat and stir in the pepper jack and goat cheese. When melted and smooth, stir in the cauliflower. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle over the Parmesan.
  • Bake until the top is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

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.

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 MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese Casserole image

A delicious way to enjoy cauliflower with a creamy cheese sauce that really adds much moisture to this casserole.

Provided by Cheerios

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup sausage links
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
¼ cup butter, melted, or more as needed
¼ cup all-purpose flour, or more as needed
1 ½ cups milk
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
2 slices bread, toasted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook sausage until heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Cut sausage into small cubes.
  • 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.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour and cook until a thick paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly mix milk into butter-flour mixture until sauce is smooth and thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir 1 cup Cheddar cheese into sauce until melted and smooth.
  • Spread cauliflower into the prepared casserole dish; top with macaroni, covering the entire surface. Stir cheese sauce into cauliflower and macaroni until well coated. Sprinkle 1 cup Cheddar cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 395.3 calories, Carbohydrate 31.2 g, Cholesterol 64.9 mg, Fat 22.5 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 17.6 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 489.4 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH CAULIFLOWER



Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower image

Add a new twist to your mac and cheese. Give our recipe for Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower a try. Rave reviews are sure to follow!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
4 cups small cauliflower florets
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
4 cups milk
3 cups KRAFT Shredded Swiss Cheese
1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350ºF.
  • Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding cauliflower to the boiling water for the last 5 min.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add flour and nutmeg; cook and stir 2 min. or until hot and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook and stir on medium heat 3 to 5 min. or until mixture comes to boil and thickens. Add Swiss cheese; cook and stir 2 min. or until completely melted. Remove from heat.
  • Drain macaroni mixture. Add to cheese sauce in pan; mix lightly.
  • Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with Parmesan. Cover.
  • Bake 30 min. or until heated through, uncovering for the last 10 min.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Sodium 320 mg, Carbohydrate 32 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 23 g

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE



Cauliflower

Somewhere between macaroni and cheese, British cauliflower cheese and a cauliflower gratin is this burbling dish of tangy, creamy cauliflower. Cauliflower florets cut into noodle-size pieces step in for macaroni in this pasta-less macaroni and cheese; they're roasted and draped in a mixture of melty Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne. You could also add mustard, thyme or rosemary, or even caramelized onions, and swap out the Cheddar for Gruyère or another cheese. As the cauliflower cooks in the cream mixture, the cream thickens slightly and the cauliflower continues to brown. Serve it with a bright, crisp salad to offset the richness.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, weekday, casseroles, vegetables, main course, side dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 large cauliflower (2 1/2 pounds), cut into small florets the size of macaroni
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar (about 6 ounces)
1 cup heavy cream
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, spread in an even layer and roast until browned and cooked through but retaining some bite, about 15 minutes.
  • Transfer the cauliflower to an 8-inch or other 2-quart baking dish. (You could also bake this in individual ramekins; just mix the cauliflower with the other ingredients in a medium bowl before dividing.) Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar. Add the remaining 1 1/4 cups Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne to the cauliflower and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then top with the reserved 1/4 cup Cheddar.
  • Roast until the cream has thickened, the cheese has melted, and some of the cauliflower is browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH CAULIFLOWER AND HAM



Baked Macaroni and Cheese With Cauliflower and Ham image

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

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups cauliflower florets
1/4 lb elbow macaroni
1/4-2 cup minced onion
1 tablespoon butter, plus
2 teaspoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1 pinch nutmeg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 ounces coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 pinch nutmeg
3/4 cup diced ham, good quality
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Blanch cauliflower for 5 minutes.
  • Refresh under cold water; drain well.
  • Cook pasta until al dente.
  • Refresh under cold water; drain well.
  • Cook onion in 1 tblsp butter over moderately-low heat until softened; stir in flour and cook 2 minutes.
  • Whisk in milk, cream, Worcestershire Sauce, ketchup, mustard powder, cayenne pepper and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring, and simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center of oven.
  • Add 1 cup of Cheddar and all of the Parmesan, stirring, until completely melted.
  • Stir in macaroni, cauliflower and ham and season.
  • Mound into prepared baking dish and top with remaining Cheddar.
  • Toss breadcrumbs with remaining 2 tsps butter (melted) and sprinkle over cheese.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until topping is golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1220.6, Fat 71.4, SaturatedFat 42.9, Cholesterol 240.2, Sodium 2228.4, Carbohydrate 87, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 11.1, Protein 58.9

CAULIFLOWER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese image

I haven't tried this yet but it looks yummy so am putting here for safe keeping. I will probably try it with a cheaper cheese and no cloves though.

Provided by Grunig

Categories     Cheese

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 small head cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets
1/2 cup whole wheat macaroni noodles
2 whole cloves
1/2 small onion
2 cups skim milk
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup grated gruyere cheese, divided
2 teaspoons chives
1 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
salt & freshly ground black pepper
Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven 425 degrees F. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook cauliflower for 2 minutes. Remove and plunge in ice water, drain. Keep water boiling and cook macaroni until al dente; drain and set aside.
  • While pasta cooks, press cloves into onion and let sit for 10 minutes. In a medium size pot, over medium heat, bring milk and bay leaf to a simmer with clove studded onion. In a medium heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Mix in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Remove bay leaf and onion, then whisk milk into flour mixture, cook for 10 minutes more, or until mixture comes to a simmer.
  • Add half of the Gruyere cheese, pass mixture through a fine sieve. Add chives, red pepper sauce, and nutmeg. Add salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to taste.
  • Spread noodles and cauliflower evenly in a 12 by 10 inch ovenproof dish, pour sauce over both and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270.9, Fat 13.2, SaturatedFat 7.9, Cholesterol 40, Sodium 193.4, Carbohydrate 24.3, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 2.5, Protein 14.5

Tips:

  • Choose the right cauliflower: Look for a head of cauliflower that is compact and heavy for its size, with tightly packed florets. Avoid any heads that have brown or yellow spots, as this could indicate bruising or spoilage.
  • Cook the cauliflower until it is tender: This will ensure that it blends smoothly into the macaroni and cheese sauce. You can boil, steam, or roast the cauliflower, depending on your preference.
  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other types of cheeses, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or fontina.
  • Make sure the sauce is thick and creamy: This will help to coat the macaroni and cauliflower evenly. You can add more milk or cream to the sauce if needed.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni: Macaroni that is overcooked will be mushy and unpleasant to eat. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, or until it is al dente.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By adding cauliflower to this dish, you can increase its nutritional value without sacrificing any of its flavor. This recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables, and it's also a delicious and satisfying meal for adults. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give this macaroni and cheese with cauliflower a try. You won't be disappointed!

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