Description
Comforting low carb cauliflower mac and cheese brings classic pasta flavors without traditional carbohydrates. Rich cheese sauce and roasted cauliflower florets deliver a satisfying keto-friendly alternative you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head cauliflower (or 16 oz / 454 g fresh florets), chopped into macaroni-sized florets
- 8 oz (227 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature, cut into cubes
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Pink salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a casserole dish with oil or butter to prevent adherence.
- Cauliflower Blanching: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil, submerge cauliflower florets, and cook until tender-crisp, approximately 4-6 minutes. Drain completely in a colander, eliminating excess moisture.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk heavy cream and cream cheese until seamlessly blended. Infuse with Italian seasoning, pink salt, and cracked black pepper, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
- Cheese Integration: Remove from heat and gradually fold in shredded cheddar and Parmesan, stirring until the sauce achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Assembly: Transfer drained cauliflower to the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Cascade the luxurious cheese sauce over the florets, gently folding to ensure complete coverage.
- Final Touches: Garnish with additional cheddar, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and dried parsley. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble enticingly.
- Serving: Remove from oven and let rest 5-7 minutes to allow sauce to set. Plate and enjoy this decadent, low-carb alternative to traditional mac and cheese.
Notes
- Drain Thoroughly: Excess water can make the dish watery, so use a colander and gently shake to remove all moisture before baking.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Gradually add cheese off the heat to prevent breaking or becoming grainy, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Seasoning Balance: Taste the cream mixture before adding to cauliflower, adjusting salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Resting Period Matters: Letting the dish sit after baking allows the sauce to set, creating a more cohesive and luxurious texture for serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg