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BEST Baked Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese

You'll never miss the "mac" in this delicious mac and cheese dish made with cauliflower instead of pasta. Cheesy, buttery, ooey, gooey, and comforting, this recipe is a great way to get a serving of veggies in without sacrificing flavor. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 243 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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 whole milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 ounces, see note

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. 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.
  3. In a large sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
  4. Stir in flour for about 3 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until completely incorporated and mixture is thick and smooth.
  6. Remove from heat, salt, pepper, stir in garlic powder, and shredded cheese until melted and completely incorporated and smooth.
  7. Stir in cauliflower. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  8. 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.
  9. Dish will be hot! Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • For the cheese: DO NOT use pre-shredded cheese! I know it's tempting for the sake of convenience but please shred the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has a special coating to keep it from all clumping together in the package and this coating keeps it from melting properly in the sauce, it will end up grainy. 
  • You can swap out some or all of the cheese for another kind. I have made this with white cheddar cheese and it is delicious. Try half white cheddar, half pepper jack for a bit of a kick!

Nutrition Information

Calories 243kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 48mg (16%) Sodium 886mg (37%) Potassium 454mg (13%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 517IU (10%) Vitamin C 48mg (53%) Calcium 392mg (39%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 243

% 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.