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Keto Mac and Cheese Recipe – Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Mac

Published
Course Mains
Dietary Preference Low-Carb
Cooking time 30-60 Minutes
Main Ingredient Vegetables
Skill Level Intermediate
Servings 4 people
Calories 556kcal
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Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower cut into pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper ground
  • 3 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • teaspoons parsley dried
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley roughly chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories556kcalNet carbs5gFat51gProtein22g

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 420 degrees F / 215 degrees C.
  • Line a baking dish with parchment paper or foil.
  • Arrange 1 head of cauliflower florets on a baking sheet, drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on them, and season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
    1 head of cauliflower, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
  • In a small saucepan combine 3 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup heavy whipping cream. Heat over low to medium heat until the mixture is smooth and the cheese is completely melted, stirring frequently.
    3 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Add spices.
    1½ teaspoons parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • When the cauliflower is done, transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl. Pour cheese sauce over it and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower.
  • Garnish with chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley.
    1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Keto mac and cheese is the ultimate keto comfort food. Roasted cauliflower tossed in a creamy cheese sauce will make you forget about traditional mac and cheese and wonder why you haven’t been eating delicious cauliflower mac and cheese your whole life.
Keto Mac and cheese

Why you’ll love this mac and cheese 

If you haven’t tried roast cauliflower tossed in a tasty keto cheese sauce, you are absolutely missing out! Keto mac and cheese packs all the cheesy goodness of traditional mac and cheese—but without the carbs.
Here’s what you’ll love about this cauliflower mac and cheese: 
  • Easy to make
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Contains only a few ingredients
  • Satisfies comfort food cravings
  • 100% keto-friendly
  • You can experiment with different cheeses 
Cauliflower mac and cheese is not only low in carbs, but it’s also amazing for your health. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that provides numerous health benefits! “Cruciferous vegetables are a type of vegetable with unique health properties due to their high concentration of phytonutrients,” Dr. Berg explains.
According to this study published in Nutrition and Cancer, cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol, which have been shown to be effective against cancer. 
roast cauliflower

Ingredients and substitutions

Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower florets are a healthy base for low-carb mac and cheese. If you’re not a fan of cauliflower taste, try pouring keto cheese sauce over a low-carb pasta or these tasty keto egg noodles
Shredded cheese
In this recipe, we combine cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese to make the most delicious cheesy sauce. You can use either mild, medium, or sharp cheddar cheese, depending on your preference.
You can finish off your keto cauliflower mac with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for next-level flavor!
Cream cheese 
Cream cheese paired with heavy cream creates a cheesy cream sauce perfect for keto mac and cheese. Cream cheese also helps thicken the sauce.
Heavy cream
Heavy whipping cream eliminates the need for a thickening agent for your cheese sauce, keeping it 100% keto-friendly.    
Spices
Garlic powder and chili powder give this keto mac and cheese a delicious kick. Feel free to add in other spices like onion powder and smoked paprika if you prefer a dish with a more complex flavor.
Olive oil
Olive oil is used to roast the cauliflower, but you can also use a healthy oil like avocado oil or even melted butter for more flavor. 
For a baked cauliflower mac and cheese, add the finished product to a casserole dish, cover it with crushed pork rinds, and pop it in the oven on broil for a couple of minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
You can even top your cauliflower mac and cheese with crispy bacon or mix in some diced ham.
Keto mac and cheese ingredients

What to serve with keto mac and cheese 

Keto mac and cheese is packed full of protein and healthy fats, so it’s great on its own but can also be served as a delicious side dish. 
Try serving your keto cauliflower mac alongside crispy pickle-brined chicken thighs, keto chicken-fried steak, or these tasty keto BLT burgers for the perfect keto-friendly dinner.
 
For a lunch combination, enjoy your keto mac and cheese with a tasty Greek salad or this delicious chicken cobb salad.   
Watch this video to learn how to make the best keto mac and cheese!

Video