This 15-minute cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is a low carb keto dinner recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes!
In the making of this cauliflower spotlight, I’ve served some form of cauliflower for dinner every night for the past two weeks. But the thing about cauliflower being the chameleon of the kitchen is…you just don’t get tired of it!
We disguised it as General Tso’s “Chicken” and Thanksgiving “Turkey” and Pizza Crust. And now…we macaroni.
This naturally gluten-free and keto friendly cauliflower mac and cheese has just 5 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes! Perfect for healthy holiday feasting or weeknight cooking.
Reader rating
“This recipe was unbelievable!!! I am no chef but you made it so easy and tastes absolutely amazing, thank you so much! Will definitely be using more of your recipes!” —Jessica
Ingredients for Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower: Cauliflower makes up the base of this macaroni and cheese. Looking to save even more time? Buy it pre-chopped!
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese brings the distinct cheesy taste to this low carb and cheese. Feel free to sub half of the cheddar for mozzarella or pepper jack!
- Cream Cheese: While most macaroni recipes rely on a flour roux to add creamy thickness, we’ll simply use cream cheese.
- Mustard: Our secret ingredient that brings everything together! It brings a pop of zing that makes this dish feel less heavy.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, adding your favorite spices like cayenne or smoked paprika!
How to make this cauliflower mac and cheese
To keep it quick and weeknight-ready, we’re making this mac and cheese on the stovetop! There are basically just two steps:
- Cook the cauliflower in boiling water until tender (5 minutes).
- Stir everything together.
It’s that easy. No messing around with a roux. No waiting for your oven to preheat. No dirtying up loads of pots and pans. This is the easy one-pot cauliflower mac and cheese that dreams are made of.
More hidden cauliflower recipes
We love hiding cauliflower into recipes around these parts. Here are a few of our favorites!
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- Hidden Cauliflower Smoothie
- Fluffy Mashed Cauliflower
- General Tso’s Baked Cauliflower
And for another low carb mac and cheese, be sure to try this Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese!
Going camping? Here’s how to make this mac and cheese on a campfire! Ready to level up your meal? Try adding truffle oil to your macaroni!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 250 g
- 4 oz cream cheese 113 g
- 1 tsp dijon mustard 5 g
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook: Roughly chop cauliflower into marble-sized pieces. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add cauliflower and salt. Cover and let simmer for about 5 minutes, or until cauliflower is fork-tender.
- Stir: Remove from heat and drain cauliflower very well, then add back into the pot. Add cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and mustard, stirring until cheese has fully melted. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
GW says
I am literally back to my high school weight following your recipes., and you are right when you say you dont get tired of cauliflower because it is such a chameleon. Thanks Sarah.
Sarah says
So happy to hear it! Enjoy! š
Jessica Haltrecht says
This recipe was unbelievable!!! I am no chef but you made it so easy and tastes absolutely amazing, thank you so much! Will definitely be using more of your recipes!
Sarah says
Yay! So happy to hear it, Jessica! Enjoy! š
MĆra SzÅnyi says
It is amazing! If you love garlic you can add a tsp of garlic powder and a slice of butter too. A pretty tasty and very delightful dish in the end. Thank you!
Sarah says
YUM! Can never have too much garlic!
Tina says
Could you cook a few extra servings to keep in the fridge?
Sarah says
Yep absolutely! Stays good for about 5 days in the fridge.
chandler says
i figured this would taste good (i mean, it’s cheese and cream cheese), but wow, that little dab of dijon really changed the flavor! this is gonna be a new staple for me
Sarah says
That mustard is a game changer, right?! Happy you liked the recipe! š
Brent says
Made this for the first time tonight, my wife is a very picky eater, we absolutely loved it. Canāt wait to try some of your other recipes. Well done!
Sarah says
So happy to hear it, Brent! š
Margarita says
My family loved it!!! I will definitely make it again. šš
britt says
Easy and amazing – much healthier alternative to pasta. The true test was that my 17 year old son who complains about most of what I make and lives by the boxed mac n cheese gave this 4.5 stars. Definitely will eat again.
Sarah Bond says
Yay! Thanks so much for letting us know how it went, Britt! š
Lisa gibason says
Can you freeze this
Sarah Bond says
I haven’t tried freezing this so I can’t be sure, but I think it would work! š
Frances says
Can you use whipped cream cheese or does it need to be the block style?
Sarah Bond says
I think that would work well! š