Best 8 Skinny Cauliflower Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Are you craving a delicious and healthy comfort food? Look no further than skinny cauliflower macaroni and cheese! This dish combines the classic flavors of macaroni and cheese with the health benefits of cauliflower. It's a perfect meal for those looking for a lighter version of the traditional dish, without sacrificing any of the taste. With just a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create a satisfying and nutritious meal that the whole family will love.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE



Baked Cauliflower

Low Carb Cheesy Baked Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese is perfect when you're craving macaroni and cheese-without the pasta!

Provided by Gina

Categories     Dinner     Lunch     Side Dish     Snack

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 cups chopped cauliflower florets (1/2-inch pieces (26 oz))
1 tbsp Real California butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tbsp flour (use ap gluten-free flour for GF)
2 cups fat free Real California milk
7 ounces freshly grated Real California sharp cheddar (about 2 cups total)
1/2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
  • Place 1 inch of water in a large pot with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook until tender crisp, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
  • Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in flour. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring continually 3 - 4 minutes, to cook out the flour.
  • Add the milk and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick, about 2 minutes stirring; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper.
  • Once it becomes thick, remove from heat completely onto another burner if possible. Add the cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup at a time mixing well until cheese is all melted.
  • Stir in cooked cauliflower, then pour into a baking dish and bake until bubbly and golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Then broil 2 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 1/4 cups, Calories 238 kcal, Carbohydrate 16.5 g, Protein 14 g, Fat 14.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Cholesterol 42 mg, Sodium 381 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g

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

BAKED CAULIFLOWER MACARONI & CHEESE



Baked Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese image

Cauliflower florets are baked into this creamy macaroni and cheese with a golden brown panko topping.

Provided by Horizon Organic

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Horizon® Organic

Time 30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

Cooking spray
1 ½ cups bite-size cauliflower florets
1 (6 ounce) box Horizon® ClassicMac™ Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
½ cup reduced fat milk
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
⅓ cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
⅔ cup panko bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a ceramic or glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and boil for one minute. Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Cook pasta shells in the same water, following instructions on the Horizon package. To the drained pasta, add 1/2 cup milk (instead of 1/4 cup as shown on the package), 2 tablespoons butter, and packet of cheese powder.
  • Stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; mix well until combined and cheese is melted. Add cauliflower and mix. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Spoon macaroni and cheese into prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter. In a small bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337.1 calories, Carbohydrate 35.7 g, Cholesterol 51.6 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 691.8 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

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 "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.

LOW-CARB CAULIFLOWER HOT MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Low-Carb Cauliflower Hot Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Cut down on carbs and keep up the flavor with this creamy cauliflower mac!

Provided by Griffin Bohen-Meissner

Categories     Lunch

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large head cauliflower
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 oz cream cheese
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 oz cheddar cheese
4 oz smoked gouda cheese
1 tablespoon Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce
minced fresh parsley, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Break down the cauliflower head into small florets and add them to the boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to move the cauliflower into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sizzling and fragrant. Add the cream cheese and heavy cream. Whisk until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the cheddar and gouda cheese to the pan and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the cauliflower to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Stir in Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce. Garnish with parsley and additional Frank's to serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 307 calories, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 13 grams, Sugar 4 grams

5-INGREDIENT CAULIFLOWER MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



5-Ingredient Cauliflower Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

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

1 head cauliflower
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
¼ cup sour cream, or greek yogurt
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
fresh parsley, chopped, optional

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

Tips for Making the Best Skinny Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese:

  • Use fresh cauliflower for the best flavor and texture.
  • Grate the cauliflower florets finely so that they cook evenly.
  • Don't overcook the cauliflower, or it will become mushy.
  • Use a low-fat or nonfat milk to reduce the calories and fat in the dish.
  • Add plenty of vegetables to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
  • Use a sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
  • Top the dish with bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.

Conclusion:

This skinny cauliflower macaroni and cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to the classic dish. It's packed with vegetables and has a creamy, cheesy sauce that is sure to please everyone. Plus, it's low in calories and fat, so you can enjoy it without guilt. So next time you're craving mac and cheese, give this skinny version a try. You won't be disappointed!

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