This cauliflower mac and cheese recipe will quickly become a new family favorite. Slightly healthier than traditional mac and cheese made with pasta, this recipe is made with cauliflower instead. It is a great low-carb, keto-friendly option that is very easy to make.
A crowd-pleaser in any household, this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is a great way to sneak some veggies into meals and will also provide you with a lot of health benefits. Cauliflower is an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
Easy, Healthy, Gluten-Free, Keto-friendly & Low-carb
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History of Mac and Cheese
Here’s a little bit of mac and cheese history for you. I personally love doing a little internet research about where a recipe originates because it can be a fun conversation starter the next time you cook for a group of friends. Please add any other known facts that I might be missing in the comments and I will update this section as I receive information.
The first modern recipe for macaroni and cheese was included in Elizabeth Raffald’s 1770’s book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. Raffald’s recipe is for a Béchamel sauce with cheddar cheese, a Mornay sauce in French cooking that is mixed with macaroni, sprinkled with Parmesan, and baked until golden brown.
The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is mostly unknown, though it most likely comes from Northern Europe. A staple of American cuisine, the creamy combo made its way to the United States courtesy of Thomas Jefferson, who, while visiting France, became obsessed with fashionable pasta dishes served there. He brought back noodle recipes and a pasta machine since this was not yet available in the Colonies. As president, he served macaroni and cheese at an 1802 state dinner.
Kraft Foods soon introduced its boxed macaroni and cheese in 1937 when America was in the thick of the Great Depression. The product could serve four people for only 19 cents, and the company sold 8 million boxes of its quick-and-easy macaroni and cheese in only 1 year.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
- Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, containing some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need.
- Cauliflower contains a high amount of fiber, which is important for digestive health.
- Cauliflower provides a significant amount of antioxidants, which are beneficial for reducing inflammation.
- Cauliflower is low in calories but high in fiber and water — all properties that assist in weight loss.
- Cauliflower is a good source of choline, a nutrient many people are lacking.
- Cauliflower is rich in sulforaphane, a plant compound with many beneficial effects, such as the reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Cauliflower can replace grains and legumes in many recipes, which is a great way to eat more veggies or follow a low-carb diet.
- There are many ways to add cauliflower to your diet. Cook it or eat it raw, it will make a fantastic addition to just about any dish.
Ideas for More Cauliflower Recipes
- Rice
- Pizza Crust
- Hummus
- Mashed like potatoes
- Tortillas
Recommendations
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
- saucepan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1-2 heads of cauliflower
- 1 tbsp butter or margarine
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 1½ cups cheddar & mozzarella mixture
- 1 tbsp grainy dijon mustard
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F
- Chop the head of cauliflower into small pieces, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake dry for 20 minutes.
- In a saucepan over medium heat add butter, cream cheese, cheddar and mozzarella (keep a small amount of reserve cheese 1/2 cup), heavy cream and grainy mustard. Stir until fully combined and melted.
- remove the cauliflower from the oven, pour the cheese sauce mixture over the cauliflower, sprinkle with reserve cheese and broil on high for 3-5 minutes.
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