Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
A comforting and creamy low-carb twist on traditional mac and cheese using cauliflower florets in place of pasta, combined with a rich cheese sauce made from cheddar, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and a touch of heavy cream.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Cauliflower
- 1 pound cauliflower florets
Dairy & Cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Dash of hot sauce
- Boil water: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil to prepare for cooking the cauliflower.
- Cook cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into small, macaroni-sized pieces and add them to the boiling water. Boil for about 5 minutes until tender but still firm.
- Drain and add ingredients: Drain the water from the pot, then return the cauliflower to the hot pot. Add the heavy cream, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded Monterey Jack, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and a dash of hot sauce.
- Melt cheese and combine: Stir well to combine, allowing the cheese to fully melt into a creamy sauce over 2-3 minutes. If necessary, briefly turn the heat on low to help melt the cheese evenly, taking care not to overcook to avoid a grainy texture.
- Serve immediately: Once fully combined and warm, serve the cauliflower mac and cheese immediately for the best creamy texture.
Notes
- Use Monterey Jack cheese for a smooth melt and mild flavor; if unavailable, mozzarella can be a substitute.
- Be cautious during melting the cheese; overheating may cause the sauce to separate and become grainy.
- This dish is a great low-carb alternative to traditional macaroni and cheese, making it suitable for keto or gluten-free diets.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
Keywords: cauliflower mac and cheese, low carb mac and cheese, keto mac and cheese, gluten free mac and cheese, creamy cauliflower recipe