Description
A creamy, cheesy, and low-carb cauliflower mac and cheese that comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this kid-approved dish uses a simple roux-based cheese sauce and fresh cauliflower for a comforting meal without the heavy carbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower (or 1.5 lbs / 680g), cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or xanthan gum for keto)
- 1 cup whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: cooked bacon bits, cayenne pepper, or rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender but firm. Drain well and shake to remove excess water.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a pale roux.
- Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add shredded cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Ensure the sauce is not too hot to prevent separation.
- Toss the drained cauliflower with the cheese sauce in an 8×8 inch baking dish until fully coated.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden. Optionally broil for the last 2 minutes for a crispier top.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Drain the cauliflower thoroughly to prevent a watery sauce. Grate your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that make the sauce gritty. Use room temperature milk to prevent lumps in the roux. For a keto version, substitute flour with xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: low-carb, cauliflower mac and cheese, keto side dish, quick dinner, one pan meal, comfort food, gluten-free option