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This Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy, cheesy, and perfect when you are craving the comfort of mac and cheese, minus the pasta. Just because you are keto, low carb, or gluten-free, it doesn't mean you have to give up that childhood favorite!
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If y'all are anything like me, the first thing I missed when I went low carb was pasta.
I was the admitted mac and cheese queen and would make just about anything into a mac and cheese. A quick search on the blog will prove that.
I.WAS.ADDICTED.
Fast forward a year and a half into this journey and I can honestly tell you that I don't miss the pasta at all.
Dishes like this Beef Zoodle Stir Fry, Chicken Alfredo Zoodle Bake, Low Carb Chicken "Ramen", Herbed Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Parmesan, and Spaghetti Squash Lasagna keep me quite satisfied.
One of my go-to meals is this meat sauce on top of zoodles or spaghetti squash, with a Ceasar salad on the side.
I love to make a big batch of the meat sauce on meal prep days, freeze it in 2 serving portions in these containers, then pop the sauce into the microwave while I heat up some zoodles or spaghetti squash.
Top that with some Parmesan cheese and have it with a salad.
Oh ya, baby, who needs pasta?
Even the Mr. aka The Complainer, says he doesn't miss pasta one bit!
Now bread on the other hand?
Let's just say I am working on that.
Jump to:
🥘Ingredients
These are the ingredients necessary to make Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.
- Large head of cauliflower
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian Seasoning
- Pink salt
- Cracked black pepper
- Parsley
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
🔪Instructions
This is a basic breakdown of the steps involved in making Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. You will find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
STEP 2
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook cauliflower until tender, 5 minutes.
Drain well. Pour into the casserole dish.
STEP 3
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepot over medium heat, add the heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese and stir with a whisk until the cream cheese is melted and thoroughly combined.
Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, and stir to combine
STEP 4
Remove from the heat and add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses stirring constantly reserving 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese for topping.
STEP 5
Pour the cheese mixture over the cauliflower and stir until thoroughly coated. Top with the 1/2 cup reserved cheese, the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and the parsley. Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
Substitutions
- Cauliflower - instead of cauliflower florets you can substitute this low carb pasta. Be aware that the carb count will go up and it will not be gluten-free.
- Cheese - you can use whatever cheese or combination of cheeses your family prefers.
📖Variations
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes when you add the other spices
- Greek - add this Greek seasoning instead of the Italian seasoning
- Mexican - add this Mexican seasoning instead of the Italian and pepper-jack cheese instead of cheddar.
🍽Equipment
This is the equipment you will need to make Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese; a chef's knife, a large pot, a colander, a medium saucepot, measuring cups and spoons, a whisk, and a 2-quart casserole dish.
Storage
Store any leftover Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
This cauliflower mac and cheese can be frozen for 2-3 months.
FAQ about Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
There are 6 net carbs per serving in this mac and cheese.
If you are looking for something that will mimic pasta, unfortunately, no. You can use things like broccoli but it will not be "mac and cheesy'. You can use this low carb pasta but the carb count will be much higher and it will not be gluten-free.
I store my leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yes, you can freeze this cauliflower mac and cheese for 1 to 2 months. The texture can change a bit after freezing.
More Keto & Low Carb "Pasta" Recipes
- Butternut Squash Noodles with Browned Butter and Parmesan
- The BEST Keto Lasagna
- Keto Chicken Tetrazzini
- Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Fresh Egg Keto Pasta
- Zucchini Ravioli
What to Serve with Low Carb Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
- Mom's Meatloaf
- Slow Cooker "Smoked" Brisket
- 5 Easy Low Carb Marinade Recipes for Chicken
- Pesto Stuffed Pork Chops
- Bacon Wrapped Honey Mustard Pork Loin
Low Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (or 16-ounce package of fresh florets) of cauliflower, chopped into macaroni-size florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temp, cut into cubes
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- pink salt
- cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook cauliflower until tender, 5 minutes.
- Drain well. Pour into the casserole dish.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepot over medium heat, add the heavy whipping cream, cream cheese and stir with a whisk until the cream cheese is melted and is thouraoughly combined..
- Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, and stir to combine
- Remove from the heat and add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses stirring constantly reserving 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese for topping.
- Pour cheese mixture over the cauliflower and stir until thoroughly coated.
- Top with the 1/2 cup reserved cheese, the remaining teaspoon Italian seasoning, and the parsley.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
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Cayla
This dish is THE BEST! It has become a staple in my kitchen. I have been doing low carb and am the only one in the friend group that cooks. While I usually get some backlash from friends when I am trying a new low carb dish, they LOVE this cauliflower mac more than regular mac n cheese! Bout to make it for my family's thanksgiving too 🙂
Bobbi
Oh that is music to my ears! My goal is, of course, tasty recipes, but because I live with carb lovers I live to make dishes that everyone enjoys! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Christyn Chapman
This is absolutely delicious!! Since adopting a clean diet I need comfort food sometimes and this just hits the spot . It’s a regular on our table now and even my kids prefer it over pasta ! It’s a huge win! Thanks for sharing this! Making it for my hubbys bday today even !!
bobbiskozykitchen
WOW, thank you for that wonderful compliment and I am so happy that your family enjoys this. Tell your hubby Happy Birthday!!