This keto cauliflower mac and cheese is PERFECT as a side dish for low carb dinner. The creamy cheese and texture of the cauliflower tricks you into thinking you are eating pasta, but it is keto friendly & mac free. Shhh. We won't tell if you don't. WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO FIRST.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
When I went started keto, one of my most missed side dishes was macaroni and cheese. I mean... it's the best guilty pleasure there is! (Okay, maybe not the best... but you get my point.) I HAD to create a recipe to pass as a keto mac and cheese. The first time we made this, I left the cauliflower in bigger florets and it seemed more like a cheese cauliflower bake. In the video you can see it is smaller.... it tastes MUCH better and more like macaroni that way.
Why is Cauliflower Used to Replace Pasta?
Cauliflower is used to replace pasta for many reasons. The most common reason being that pasta is not allowed on the keto or low carb diet, additionally cauliflower is for it's lower carb , higher fiber value. Another reason is simply that it is a better health food option. Pasta typical has no nutritional benefits and is loaded with calories & carbs. Cauliflower can create that same full, comfort food feel you crave from pasta. Cauliflower is super versatile and can not only replace pasta, but rice as well. Just be sure not to over cook it as it gets mushy!
Here is a quick look at making this amazing cheesy bacon dish. The FULL recipe card for one of the BEST low carb cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is below these photo instructions. We recommend watching the Video also, it shows the different texture of the cauliflower when chopped smaller. Mmmmm. It is seriously our favorite keto comfort food.
Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
We like to call it mac and cheese because... well... the people like it that way! Yes, it is just cauliflower smothered in the best cheese sauce with bacon. But with the texture how it is, the reminder of mac and cheese is there even though it is keto approved. And that helps get some people through their pasta cravings.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower steamed, rough chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- Crispy Bacon to garnish
Directions for Keto Mac and Cheese
Before you get started, gather all your ingredients to make it easier cooking in the kitchen. Get started by preheating the oven to 375 degrees and then prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
Tip for cooking fresh cauliflower: Cut a head of cauliflower into florets. Steam or boil for approximately 5 minutes, until they are still crunchy but tender. Strain the cauliflower, rough chop, set aside. Or Start with microwaved steam bags or frozen, rough chopped.
In a sauce pot over low heat, add heavy whipping cream. Whisk in garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
Add cream cheese and stir until smooth, and then add cheddar cheese, heat and stir until melted.
Stir in cauliflower, mixing to fully coat and combine. Add to baking dish. Top with mozzarella and parmesan. Look at that cheese sauce! I think no matter what went in this keto cheese sauce it would convince me there mac in it.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture is browned on top and bubbly. For a more browned appearance, cook in broiler for the last few minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Try the Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Cauliflower Version
Heads up! The Instant Pot version of this keto mac and cheese recipe is super easy. Be sure to see the NOTE in the recipe card, skip running the oven and push this dish out to the table faster.
Perfect for weeknights when the kids have sports or school functions. Or hot days when the oven is not an option. Think about including this recipe in your weekly meal planning too. It reheats and stores so easily!
Health Facts about Cauliflower
Low Carb Mac and Cheese is Fantastic for Meal Prep
Make our low carb mac and cheese as a quick weeknight meal or baked dinner on the weekend for the whole family or guests. Our favorite use is in meal prepping and planning. It holds well over the week and reheats perfectly. The cheese is so creamy and saucey that it coats the cauliflower amazingly even after a reheat.
More Amazing Keto Cheese Recipes
- Instant Pot Keto Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower
- Keto Philly Cheesesteak Pockets
- Broccoli Cheese Low Carb Cornbread
- Keto Bacon and Cheese Breakfast Puffs
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Making our Bacon Cheese Cauliflower
Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Keto CAULIFLOWER mac and cheese with BACON is an EASY Low Carb dish, BAKED OR INSTANT POT with Seriously the BEST Cheese Sauce Ever.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, steamed and rough chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Crumbled Bacon Garnish, Optional
- CLICK PIN TO VISIT SITE FOR FULL RECIPE
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and then prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Steam cauliflower, cook to fork tender, drain, rough chop, set aside.
- In a sauce pot over low heat, add heavy whipping cream. Whisk in garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cream cheese and stir until smooth, and then add cheddar cheese. stir until cheese is melted completely.
- Add cauliflower to pot, stir to coat evenly. Pour into baking dish, top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture is browned on top and bubbly. For a more browned appearance, cook in broiler for the lat few minutes. Top with crumbled bacon. Serve and enjoy!
- To make in the instant pot -
- Add cauliflower with 2 tablespoon water.
- Cook on Manual for 5 minutes.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Leave on "keep warm" for about 10 minutes.
- Stir and repeat until melted, creamy and heated through.
Notes
Instant Pot Version - A super FAST way to prepare our keto mac and cheese in minutes.
- Pour two bags of frozen cauliflower into the Instant Pot.
- Set to MANUAL for 5 minutes. Drain water. Chop. Set aside.
- Set Instant pot to saute, Add heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder stir until smooth. TIP Cream cheese melts faster is cut into small blocks.
- Mix in cheddar cheese. stir until melted completely.
- Shut OFF Instant Pot. Add cauliflower back and half the bacon. Stir. Everything should heat through just from the residual heat of being on saute. If not set IP to slow cook and let warm for about 10 minutes.
NOTE- Sometimes the instant pot temps fluctuate, it has happened to me with this version, if the SAUTE setting gets too hot while making the cheese sauce just shut it off. The residual heat will melt the cheeses.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 24gCarbohydrates: 6gNet Carbohydrates: 3gFiber: 3gProtein: 11g
Nutrition facts are auto- populated by the app for this recipe card, numbers may vary. For best results, input your exact brand ingredients into a recipe analyzer like Verywell or MyFitnessPal.
Owner & Lead Recipe Developer for It's Simple! since 2015, where you will find our best Family Favorites & Keto Low Carb Dishes with Helpful Cooking Tips & Hints in each post. Many Thanks for Stopping By, Enjoy!
