BEST Baked Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
243 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
BEST Baked Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese
Description
The BEST Baked Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese uses cauliflower florets cooked until just tender and then combined with a smooth cheese sauce created from a butter and flour roux, whole milk, and sharp cheddar cheese. The seasonings include salt, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder, which enhance the depth of flavor without overpowering the dish. After mixing the cauliflower with the cheese sauce, it is baked until the sauce bubbles and the edges start to brown, with an optional broiling step to create a lightly crisp top crust. This recipe omits traditional pasta, providing a lower-carb alternative while maintaining a similar cheesy comfort food experience. Shredding your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded is crucial for a creamy, non-grainy sauce due to anti-caking agents found on pre-shredded cheese.
Serve this dish as a cozy side or a vegetarian main, and consider variations using different cheddar cheeses or adding spice with pepper jack. The texture balances the softness of baked cauliflower with the creamy, melted cheese sauce and a slightly crisped top.
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups cauliflower chopped into 1-inch pieces (I used 1 1/2 heads of cauliflower)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk whole
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper cracked
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups cheddar cheese 8 ounces, see note, shredded sharp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 inch of water. Add cauliflower to the bowl and microwave on high for 8 minutes. Drain and set cauliflower aside.
- In a large sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour for about 3 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until completely incorporated and mixture is thick and smooth.
- Remove from heat, salt, pepper, stir in garlic powder, and shredded cheese until melted and completely incorporated and smooth.
- Stir in cauliflower. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- BAKE for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and begins to brown. Switch to BROIL for 2-4 minutes to brown the top a bit more.
- Dish will be hot! Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Avoid pre-shredded cheese to prevent a grainy sauce; freshly shredded cheese melts much smoother.
- Feel free to substitute some or all of the cheddar with white cheddar or pepper jack for varying flavor and heat levels.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 243 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 243kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 48mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 886mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 454mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 517IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 48mg | 53% |
| Calcium | 392mg | 39% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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