Keto Mac and Cheese
Keto cauliflower mac and cheese is the perfect alternative to traditional mac & cheese - you can have this gluten free, low carb version on the table in 15 minutes!
4
Servings
641
Calories
55.4g
Fat
21.4g
Protein
5g
Net Carb
8.4g
Total Carbs
Mac and cheese is arguably one of the greatest American comfort foods. But this delicious cauliflower mac and cheese tastes just as good, plus it doesn’t have all of the carbs! With this recipe, it’s hard to tell it’s even made with cauliflower!
Creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese option for those looking for a gluten free, low carb alternative to the traditional mac n cheese. Instead of macaroni noodles, cauliflower is used. Just like loaded cauliflower casserole and mashed cauliflower, this cruciferous vegetable is a popular replacement for noodles and potatoes with those on a keto diet as it is the ultimate comfort food.
What makes this cauliflower cheese different?
This recipe is thick, creamy, and gooey with cheese. With this recipe, the cauliflower is perfectly cooked and smothered in a delicious cheese sauce to completely cover any cauliflower flavor. So all you will taste is cheesy goodness.
This recipe is super easy to make and uses two of the best types of cheese – gruyere and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Gruyere cheese is a popular choice for mac and cheese because of its smooth and creamy texture and sophisticated taste.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – And, of course, to make this cauliflower mac and cheese a truly authentic culinary experience, you must add sharp cheddar cheese to get that iconic yellow color to your cheese sauce.
Unlike other cauliflower cheese recipes, I don’t use cream cheese!
Cream cheese is a common cheat to achieving a thick, creamy sauce within the keto diet. In this recipe, you won’t have to bother with a thickening agent like cornstarch or xanthan gum because the almond flour, heavy whipping cream and cheeses will thicken the sauce as it cooks.
KetoFocus fans agree it’s the best!!
” I made this and ho-ly shit it is so good”
➥ from YouTube subscriber @wannabehomestead
“Made this tonight for me and my family scarfed it. It’s a new official ‘side dish’ for them. A main entrée for me!!”
➥ from YouTube subscriber @sarahwiegman9871
You can even bake this keto cauliflower mac and cheese recipe! Just follow the instructions on my keto cauliflower gratin recipe.
Cauliflower Cheese Recipe Video
With 100s of videos and millions of views, Ketofocus is one of the most popular Keto channels on YouTube.
Keto Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Ingredients
1 pound fresh cauliflower florets
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3 tablespoons almond flour (optional)
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3 tablespoons butter
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 teaspoon salt
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6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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3 oz gruyere cheese, shredded
Keto Mac and Cheese Directions
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Steam the cauliflower
To a large stockpot, place a steamer basket into the pot and fill the pot with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets to the steamer basket, cover and let steam for 3-5 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender. Remove from heat and any water and set aside.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh cauliflower florets
Quick Tip
Roasted cauliflower makes a delicious substitute too! -
Make a keto roux
To a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in almond flour and stir for 30 seconds.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons almond flour (optional)
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Add cream
Slowly add heavy cream while stirring constantly. Add salt. Let mixture come to a boil and let simmer for 5-7 minutes or until mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
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Say cheese
Once cream base has thickened, slowly add in shredded cheese, adding in a handful at a time and stirring until smooth. Continue until all the cheese has melted and cheese sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove cheese sauce from heat.
Ingredients
- 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 oz gruyere cheese, shredded
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Marry the cheese sauce with the cauliflower
Add cauliflower florets into the cheese sauce and stir until florets are well coated. Serve immediately.
Quick Tip
Additional seasoning like garlic powder could be added. For a baked mac and cheese, pour cauli mac and cheese in a baking dish, top with ground pork rind and bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.
I was surprised how quick this came together and it was super filling. The addition of gruyere gave the sauce a fancy flavor I didn’t expect. My teens didn’t even realize it was cauliflower instead of pasta.
This was my first time using cauliflower as a mac substitute and I couldn’t believe how well it held the texture. The sauce wrapped around each piece perfectly, and the touch of almond flour gave it a nice body. Five stars for making low carb taste indulgent!
I was really surprised by how rich and creamy the cheese sauce turned out! The gruyere added a delicious depth of flavor that made it feel like a gourmet dish. Definitely a new favorite for comfort food nights.
The texture of the steamed cauliflower was just right after about four minutes – still firm enough to hold up in the cheese sauce without getting mushy. I did use the optional almond flour to make the roux and was surprised by how well it helped thicken the sauce. The combination of sharp cheddar and gruyere brought a nice balance of sharp and nutty flavors. I wish there had been a touch more seasoning or maybe a dash of pepper for extra punch, but overall it was satisfying and came together quickly.
This was really comforting and cheesy. I was surprised by how well the cauliflower held up as a pasta replacement. I added a little garlic powder to the cheese sauce and it turned out great.
I made this for my Thanksgiving dinner this year. Fantastic. I am trying to figure out how large a serving size is. If it only makes 4 servings is that a cup per serving? That would be my estimate but just thought I would check. It could by 3/4 of a cup. Any advise is appreciated. I love your channel. One of my favorites.
Amazing recipe! Honestly just as good as traditional Mac and cheese.
I’ve been searching for “great” cheese sauce for keto mac & cheese for weeks. Not only did I find a “GREAT” cheese sauce, but even using cauliflower, I LOVED this substitute for real pasta macaroni and cheese. Soooo happy I found this recipe. Thank you!
really good!
thank you soo much 4 the recipe!
Super yummy recipe!
I used salted butter, almond flour, half amount of heavy cream and cream cheese, sharp aged cheddar! T’was delish and the texture was perfection. Thanks ever so much. Hubby loved it.
This was absolutely delicious and will be in regular rotation for me. I added some cayenne pepper to make it spicy.
Really liked this recipe. My cheese sauce turned out too think so I thinned it down with more HWC. Next time, I’ll see what the sauce seems like with just 6 oz. of cheese and maybe use almond milk instead of HWC. My cauliflower broke apart some during mixing it with the cheese sauce and that was a good thing. Next time I won’t be concerned about leaving the florets on the big side knowing that they will get smaller during mixing. Also added some more spices – garlic powder, ground mustard, cayenne, ground black pepper – for extra flavor.
This No Pasta Mac & Cheese is my first. It is delicious. I used Coconut Flour to thicken, turned out great.
Will def. try these recipes.
Somehow this still feels fat to be 38 and eat a whole bowl. 🙂
This recipe went really well with some diced ham that was leftover from another meal. I fried the ham to get a light caramelization and then added to the final step of the recipe.
We love your recipes!
Thank you!
“This isn’t keto” said my granddaughter Missy! I promised her it was!
haha!
Just made it. I halved the recipe. Next time a little less milk and a pinch or two more almond flour. Went old school. Used Velveeta cheese and pork rind crumbs on top. Went out to the shop and got my torch and toasted to top. Spot on.
Just made this. It is delicious. I love Mac and cheese but I’m on a keto diet. This recipe is a winner.
Amazingly cheesy and satisfying
So excited for this recipe. I am printing and will present for thanksgiving and hopefully my grandkids won’t know the difference.
I hope they love it! Cauliflower is hit and miss with my kids, but the cheese here will help significantly.
Im doing the same thing for my teenagers this year!
For anyone looking to make a lower carb lifestyle change, this is the recipe for you. My family loves it!
I have been on a low carb / high fat diet for about a year now, and the keto mac and cheese was my favorite meal to make when I was in the mood for a pasta side dish. It is quick, easy, and tastes AMAZING!