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The Best Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: Creamy, Cheesy, and Easy

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This cauliflower mac and cheese features bite-sized roasted cauliflower coated in a creamy sauce made with cream cheese, cheddar, Gruyere, and Monterey Jack. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a cheesy low-carb alternative to traditional macaroni and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into small bite-size pieces (1 large head or 2 small heads)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream; you can also use milk instead or use both, divided to equal 1 ½ cups total
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes or pieces
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
  2. Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat well.
  3. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cauliflower pieces have softened. Some pieces will be darker in color.
  4. Once the cauliflower is cooked, add the heavy cream and cream cheese to a large pot over low heat. Whisk until the cream cheese has melted.
  5. Add the cheddar, Gruyere, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Continue stirring until all the cheeses have melted.
  6. Add the garlic powder and onion powder to the cheese sauce and stir to incorporate. This should take just a few minutes.
  7. Once the cheese mixture is smooth and comes to a simmer, remove it from the heat and whisk vigorously.
  8. Add the roasted cauliflower and stir until all the pieces are coated in the cheese sauce.
  9. Serve immediately. Sprinkle paprika on top if desired.

Notes

  • Cheese options: Use your preferred combination of cheeses. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gruyere are recommended favorites. The recipe notes specify using a total of 2 ½ cups of cheese.
  • Watch the sauce: Keep an eye on the cheese sauce and avoid overcooking it, or it may become solid.
  • Cream options: You can use heavy whipping cream, milk, or a combination of both, as long as the total amount is 1 ½ cups.
  • Paprika: The paprika is optional and can be sprinkled on top before serving for extra spice.
  • Serve immediately: Stir the roasted cauliflower into the sauce and serve while the cheese mixture is creamy.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingrecipetips.com/the-best-cauliflower-mac-and-cheese-creamy-cheesy-and-easy/