4-Ingredient Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Recipes can’t get more fun than this baked cauliflower mac and cheese. It’s flavorful, creamy, and completely ironic. There’s no “mac” here but what you will find is a whole bunch of tender cauliflower florets coated in ooey-gooey cheese baked to perfection.

Jump to Recipe

With just 4 key ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this low-carb and gluten-free casserole dish is the perfect way to sneak in veggies while still enjoying a comfort food classic — minus the heavy carbohydrates. Bonus is that it’s incredibly easy to make in just 30 minutes!

Cozy, healthy, and delicious, this veggie-forward bake is a total crowd-pleaser that can feed six hungry people. It’s worth making from scratch and is great for entertaining or as a side dish for a multi-course meal.

It’s easily adaptable to suit a keto diet, and I’m 99.9 percent sure you can get your kiddos, hubby, and all the picky eaters in your life to eat and love this. You can halve the recipe or make the full batch, divide it in two, and store one for later. Either way, one of my favorite low-carb vegetable recipes you can’t afford to miss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

My recipe swaps cauliflower for the traditional pasta. While this isn’t the same as the good ol’ Kraft boxed mac and cheese many of us grew up with, I’d take this recipe any day because it’s so much healthier.

I keep it on repeat at our house, we just can’t get enough! I’m sure your family will love the baked cauliflower mac and cheese as much as we do. Here’s why:

• Simple ingredients: All you need is a whole head of cauliflower, some cheese, and a few kitchen staples to whip up this recipe.
• Short prep and baking time: Serve in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Amazing flavors: Even without the classic flour-and-butter roux, this recipe is close to the real deal with a great balance of creamy and cheesy from heavy cream and sharp cheddar cheese. The cauliflower florets add a satisfying texture to every mouthful!
• Family-friendly and kid-approved: Great for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to traditional comfort food, plus an easy way to get the kids to eat more veggies.
• Basic kitchen equipment: No fancy kitchen tools are needed, just a saucepan, a pot, a whisk, and a baking dish.  
• Easy-to-follow directions: Prepare this quick and easy cauliflower bake by following 6 straightforward steps (no advanced baking skills required!).

You can even add this crowd-pleaser to your collection of Christmas dinner recipes. It’s that good and sure to impress your guests!

How to Make Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower has truly become a game-changer when cooking or baking, knowing it’s a versatile veggie that I can use instead of potatoes, pasta, rice, or anything starchy. 

Steam cauliflower and smooth it in a sauce before baking it into a gooey, melty mac and cheese that’s cozy yet healthy.

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make this creamy and savory baked cauliflower mac and cheese.

Ingredients You Need

I’ve tried out several different baked cauliflower mac and cheese recipes but this is still, by far, my favorite. It’s simple and satisfying, you’ll be asking for seconds, thirds, or more! The recipe calls for just a few basic ingredients, which are as follows:

• Cauliflower: Use a whole head of fresh cauliflower, about 1.5 pounds, chopped into small florets about the size of macaroni.
• Heavy whipping cream
• Cream cheese
• Cheddar cheese: Shredded to ensure it melts well when baked.
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Dijon mustard: Optional for a little tang to the cheese sauce.
• Garlic powder: Optional, to give the dish that garlicky kick.

Step-By-Step Instructions

With just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients, you and your family can enjoy a creamy, indulgent, and veggie-packed dish in 30 minutes or less. Serve it as a side dish or anytime you need a quick “pasta” fix. Follow these steps to make the perfect baked cauliflower mac and cheese:

1. Prepare the cauliflower. While preheating the oven, chop the cauliflower into florets. Steam until soft, making sure to drain excess water.
2. Make the cheese sauce. Mix whipped cream, cream cheese, and a portion of shredded cheese in a saucepan. Once smooth and thick, season with salt and pepper, plus optional garlic and mustard.
3. Combine ingredients and bake. Place the cauliflower mixture in a baking dish, then pour the cheesy sauce. Stir until well combined, then top with remaining cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to sit and cool before serving.

Loving the oven for your meals? Try baked tomatoes with parmesan and mozzarella cheese from RealBalanced next!

Variations

My recipe is everything a baked cauliflower mac and cheese should be. It’s satisfying, packed with flavors, and completely worth the effort. Of course, you can easily customize it to suit your taste and dietary preferences, so feel free to incorporate your favorite add-ins or substitutions. Here are some popular ideas:

• Substitute broccoli for cauliflower.
• Replace cheddar with Gouda, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, or Gruyere. You can even mix and match to make a delicious 3-cheese blend.
• Amp up the flavor by adding minced green onions or shallots, with herbs like fresh parsley, thyme, and oregano.
• For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, chili powder, or smoked paprika; or sprinkle in some chopped jalapeños, diced green chiles, or crushed red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce.
• Add bits of ham, shredded rotisserie chicken, or cooked ground beef for extra protein.
• Sneak in more veggies such as sautéed spinach bell peppers or mushrooms.

How to Store This Recipe

My baked cauliflower mac and cheese keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing as it will alter the flavor and texture of the mac and cheese once thawed.

The best way to reheat leftovers is to give it a good stir in a saucepan and heat on the stove-top over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the cheesy sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or milk to thin it out.

What to Serve with Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Baked cauliflower mac and cheese is so rich and filling that I often serve it as a side or part of a larger buffet. Here are some ideas for a well-rounded meal:

• Crusty garlic bread
• Pumpkin soup
• Simple salad with creamy dressing
• Grilled or roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans
• Rotisserie chicken, baked fish, pork chops, or a bunless burger
• Refreshing white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
• Homemade lemonade

More Easy Cauliflower Recipes to Try

• Cauliflower Rice
• Cauliflower Tortillas
• Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
• Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

If you make this baked cauliflower mac and cheese, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and comment