American · Dinner

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower florets baked in a creamy cheddar and Parmesan sauce thickened with cream cheese, with no pasta or flour. Six servings in 45 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 45 min total Serves 6 servings Easy
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Before You Start

Cut the florets small and even so they cook at the same rate and take up the sauce.

If the sauce splits or looks oily, whisk in a splash of warm half-and-half off the heat.

Grate the cheese yourself from a block; it melts more smoothly than the pre-grated kind.

Making Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

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  1. Heat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C / 355°F fan). Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add the cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, until just tender. Drain well and leave in the colander for 5 minutes to steam dry.

  2. Warm the half-and-half in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming, not boiling. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth.

  3. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheddar and Parmesan a handful at a time until melted. Stir in the mustard, garlic powder, paprika and pepper.

  4. Fold the cauliflower into the sauce, tip it into a baking dish and scatter with the cheddar for the top. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbling at the edges and golden on top. Stand for 5 minutes before serving.

What's Going On Here

A supper for six, or a side for a bigger table, for the nights when you want mac and cheese without the pasta. Cauliflower florets stand in for the macaroni and hold the sauce in much the same way. It is rich. A modest portion goes a long way.

Everything depends on the cauliflower being dry. Boil it for 5 minutes only, drain it well and leave it to steam in the colander, because wet florets water down the sauce and leave a puddle in the dish. The sauce uses no flour: cream cheese melts into warm half-and-half and gives it body, and sharp cheddar supplies the flavour, so you can use less of it.

Stir the cheese in off the boil. Overheated cheddar turns grainy and oily. Mustard and a little paprika sharpen the sauce without any extra salt. Bake until the top is browned and the edges are bubbling, then let the dish stand for 5 minutes so it sets enough to spoon.

Leftovers, Reheating and Keeping

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven, or in the microwave, stirring halfway.

What to Serve Alongside

  • A green salad
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Sliced tomatoes with basil

Questions and Answers

How long does Cauliflower Mac and Cheese take to make?

About 45 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?

Cut the florets small and even so they cook at the same rate and take up the sauce. If the sauce splits or looks oily, whisk in a splash of warm half-and-half off the heat. Grate the cheese yourself from a block; it melts more smoothly than the pre-grated kind.

What should I serve with Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?

A green salad; Roasted broccoli; Sliced tomatoes with basil.

How should Cauliflower Mac and Cheese be stored?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven, or in the microwave, stirring halfway.

Is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?

About 267 kcal per serving, with 14 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 19 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

267Calories
14gProtein
10gCarbs
19gFat
3gFibre
5gSugar
370mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.