This One Pan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe is a healthy, low-carb recipe that will satisfy your cheesy cravings. Makes a delicious and quick meal or a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
You know those signs you see that say things like, “In our family, we do fun, and messy faces, and movie nights” and that sort of thing? Well I want one that says “In our family, we do CHEESE.”
Because that is what we do. A lot. On just about everything.
What does that have to do with this One Pan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese? Everything.
My kids love cheese but vegetables? Now that’s another story. Just the slightest idea that there *might* be a vegetable near their plate can send them into a tailspin meltdown.
Thankfully most vegetables can be improved by adding a little – or in our case, a lot – of cheese. Cheddar, Jack, Parmesan, we’re not picky. For this cheesy cauliflower dish, I opted for cheddar and Parmesan, but you could swap these out for your favorites.
Now in case I threw you off with the whole “Mac & cheese” description, let me explain. This One Pan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese tastes like traditional Mac & Cheese. The cauliflower has a lovely nutty flavor and when cooked properly has a nice bite too it that mimics that of an al dente macaroni pasta. The cheese sauce is creamy and delicious and pairs so nicely with the cauliflower that you’ll never miss the carbs! I know I might be pushing it a bit, but if you’re really trying to cut carbs, this is a decent alternative to mac and cheese.
Enjoy this easy one pan recipe as a side dish along with your favorite meals or as a main dish. We’ll be adding this to our list of the best Thanksgiving Side Dishes, so be sure to check that out too!
And for more delicious cheesy side dishes, try these:
- Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Jalapeno Corn
One Pan Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Parsley
Instructions
- Cut cauliflower into small florets.
- In a large pot, boil 6 cups of salted water. Add cauliflower and boil for about 5 minutes or until tender. Drain.
- Return cauliflower to the pot over low heat.
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper, garlic powder, paprika and stir to coat. Stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese and Parmesan until melted and combined.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Adapted from Goodful.
Hi! I’m Kristin, the creative mind behind Yellow Bliss Road where you will be inspired by tons of easy to follow recipes, lots of free printables, and a little sprinkling of life thrown in for good measure.
I served this with fish cakes and it was soooo good! My husband and I are watching our carbs and really enjoyed this. The recipe really reminded me of traditional mac and cheese… a real treat!
Thank you Nancy!
Really good recipe! I do a lot of cauliflower substitutes just to keep the calories down and help limit my starches a bit. This is the best Mac and cheese substitutes recipe I have ever made. I liked almost more than the smoked brisket we had with it, and I love brisket.
Thank you Steve!
It says serve immediately. I was thinking of making it this afternoon and serving with dinner. Is there a reason I should not refrigerate before serving?
It’s recommended to serve immediately because the cheese sauce can get too think as it stands. You might be fine reheating it if you add a little bit of milk and reheat on the stove.
Is this recipe keto friendly? I love Mac and cheese, just can’t have pasta.
I’m not a Keto expert so I can’t say for sure if it would be. You’d have to read the ingredients and judge for yourself.
I believe I figured the net carb count. I came up with 2.7 per serving. I used a free carb count website.
Great, thanks!
Excellent recipe. Followed as written with great success. Thank you.
Can I sub yogurt for cream cheese?
I haven’t used yogurt in this recipe so I can’t say for sure how it would work. However, I would be worried that it could separate. Probably worth trying though.
Hello, Kristen. I am confused about the “210kcal”… Does that mean it’s 2000+ calories?
Hi Elyse, So kcal and calorie are actually the same thing. This link will explain it (third section down): https://www.nutrition.gov/subject/whats-in-food/faqs
The recipe has 210 calories per serving.
Do you think this would be ok with riced cauliflower?
Delicious! A great alternative to Mac and cheese, but also a great side dish on its own!
And a little healthier too 😉
How dare you not do the extra work of providing all of the nutritional info on your FREE website. That means *I* actually have to do the work? UGH!! /sarcasm
Seriously, this was a great side dish. I used a little HWC to make it creamier. My family loved it.
I appreciate you.
Thank you so much April! I appreciate your sarcasm and your kind words! 🙂
what is HWC??
Heavy Whipping Cream
Thanks!
Can this be made without the Parmesan? I am currently out.
Yes, I would just add maybe a little more of the cheddar.
Just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. This will definitely be a frequent dish at our house.
Awesome, glad you enjoyed it!
Please list the fats, carbs & other necessary information for a proper Keto diet. I don’t see that information anywhere.
Thank you `
Unfortunately since I am not a nutritionist I am not always able to provide nutritional information for each recipe. However there are great sites out there, like myfitnesspal.com, that can help.
Thanks for sharing your feedback.
So really, we need 2 find this receipe on the Keto site so we can track it. Ugh……. Thank u anyway….
This isn’t a keto recipe site, so, yes.
Why would you demand/expect that she provide you with the nutritional info relating to a Keto diet when it doesn’t state anywhere that this is a Keto recipe, and then be so rude when she can’t provide that information? If you are on a Keto diet you should be used to looking up nutritional information yourself…
I made this a few days ago. It was soo delicious and so easy! My sister asked me to bring in to thanksgiving this year. Thanks again for the recipe.
First, I’m soooo jealous that your family does everything CHEESE!! I could live off cheese, my family, not so much!! This looks sooo delish, I’ll probably be making this tonight! Question, have you made this w/o the cream cheese? I’m afraid that this would take it to another level of cheese that my send my hubby over the edge! Thx!
I haven’t, and you could. The cream cheese helps to make the sauce nice and creamy, the way it would be if you were to go through the steps of making a roux with butter and flour and milk (like a traditional sauce). I say try it with and if they don’t like it, the more for you! Ha!
I used Velveeta instead of cream cheese. It was pretty good, but not as creamy. B
Try it again with the cream cheese – so good!!
This was lovely! Even better the next day.
OMG, I’m blown away by how delicious this was. However, I did added crispy pancetta and that took it to the next level. Perfect Keto meal!
Oh pancetta sounds amazing!!
Can this hold awhile before serving?
The cheese sauce could separate…so I wouldn’t wait too long before serving.
SO DELICIOUS! My family loved it!
How do you count the calories and carbs?
Check out myfitnesspal.com!
Do you put nutritional information with your recipes? One pot cauliflower macncheese. Calories, sodium, carbs, serving size?
Thanks
I would like to know as well.
I think I calculated the carb count as 2.7 from a free carb calculator web site. Hope this helps.