Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

The ultimate Low Carb Comfort Food!! Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is so cheesy and is the most comforting perfect dish minus the pasta! It is low carb comfort food that is packed with vegetables and protein. 

This is the perfect dish when you are craving mac and cheese. I was in my kitchen preparing my Perfect Mashed Potatoes to bring to my in-laws for Thanksgiving and I could not stop thinking about how much I wanted mac and cheese!  So while the potatoes were boiling I stared on the epic Cauliflower Mac and Cheese!

I had an incredible spin class in the morning and could not hold off until our thanksgiving lunch at my in-laws. While I forged through the fridge I stumbled upon 3 heads of cauliflower. I guess I was feeling rather ambitious about cauliflower during my weekly grocery shop, ha! Sometimes I am guilty of being over-ambitious grocery produce shopper. 

I would consider this cauliflower mac and cheese to be a thanksgiving gift I gave to myself! It was pouring outside and after my killer spin class, I needed some Comfort Food that wasn’t going to undo all the work I just had put in at spin, haha! It is not often that I crave comfort food but for some reason today was the day! You are going to LOVE this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, oh and the added bits of bacon…OH MY YUM! I was in a blissful comfort food coma!

Can I make this vegetarian?

YES!! Get yourself some bacon bits, they are vegan-friendly and sprinkle in 1/4 of what the recipe calls for! Or you can completely omit it!

Make the perfect Mac and Cheese Sauce 

• Use real cheese: To make a sauce that isn’t grain or gritty you need to use real cheese. The kind you grate yourself! Pre shredded cheese contains chemicals that make the sauce grainy and gritty. You are not limited to cheddar, play around with your favorites, mild cheddar just happens to be my absolute favorite!  
• Sauce first: combine all sauce ingredients but your cheese. Once it is combined turn off heat and stir in your cheese in small batches. 

How to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese 

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Start by chopping your cauliflower into florets, then place them on your prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. You want 1/2 inch pieces.
• Bake your cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, fork-tender. 
• Prepare the sauce while the cauliflower is baking. Start by heating the butter and oil over medium heat. Add in your shallot and sautè for 2 minutes.
• Stir in flour. Cook on low for 2-3 minutes to cook out the flour.
• Add in milk and bring the heat back to medium, whisk continuously for 2 minutes. Once milk begins to boil turn off heat and season with salt( I used a 1/2 tsp) and pepper. 
• Add in 2 cups of cheese in slowly, mix well till cheese is melted and velvety.
• Stir in your bacon pieces and cauliflower then transfer to a casserole dish and top with the rest of the cheese. 
• Bake at 400 for 17-20 minutes, or till hot and bubbly. 
• If you like a browed top broil for 2 minutes, watch closely so it does not burn!

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Bacon

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The ultimate Low Carb Comfort Food!! Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is so cheesy and is the most comforting perfect dish minus the pasta! This dish is low carb comfort food that is packed with vegetables and protein. 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 3 heads of cauliflower florets (about 9 cups) 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup cooked bacon chopped in small pieces
• salt and pepper

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
Start by chopping your cauliflower into florets, then place them on your prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. You want 1/2 inch pieces.
Bake your cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, fork-tender. 
Prepare the sauce while the cauliflower is baking. Start by heating the butter and oil over medium heat. Add in your shallot and sautè for 2 minutes.
Stir in flour. Cook on low for 2-3 minutes to cook out the flour.
Add in milk and bring the heat back to medium, whisk continuously for 2 minutes. Once milk begins to boil and thicken turn off heat and season with salt( I used a 1/2 tsp) and pepper. 
Add in 2 cups of cheese in slowly, mix well till cheese is melted and velvety.
Stir in your bacon pieces and cauliflower into the cheese sauce, then transfer to a casserole dish and top with the rest of the cheese. 
Bake at 400 for 17-20 minutes, or till hot and bubbly. 
If you like a browed top broil for 2 minutes, watch closely so it does not burn!
Serve, Dish, Enjoy!!

Notes

Depending on the size of your cauliflower florets you may need to add additional roasting time.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12 | 8 freestyle points |

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 221Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 352mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 12g