Skinny Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Less fat AND less calories. Except taste and flavor is not compromised AT ALL! So cheesy, comforting and irresistible!
You know that saying, “Have your cake and eat it too?”
Well.
That’s what’s happening here.
You can have your cake.
With less fat.
And less calories.
With veggies sneaked in.
That you probably won’t even notice.
Because you’ll be too distracted by all that cheesy creaminess.
Don’t worry.
That’s completely normal.
Skinny Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Less fat AND less calories. Except taste and flavor is not compromised AT ALL! So cheesy, comforting and irresistible!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half, or more, as needed
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Within the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add cauliflower; drain well.
- Melt butter in a 9-inch oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half and half, and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, Dijon and garlic powder until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more half and half as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir in pasta and cauliflower; gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
- Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 12-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chives, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
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Anyone know what the container breakdown is for 1 serving of this for 21 Day Fix?
I couldn’t find the nutrition values for this recipe
Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, I recommend using free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
just about to make cauliflower Mac and cheese and as usual went on Pinterest and you popped up, yet again! So making it with a fresh tomato and basil layer in the middle to lift it on a rather warm evening, popping breadcrumbs on top and a quick blitz under the grill.
That sounds amazing.. how did it turn out?
Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipes! Honestly, I am not one of those people that makes a lot of changes to recipes. But, I did make this with 1 cup cauliflower and 1 cup broccoli and it was really great.
I’m thinking of doubling this recipe for a dinner party. Any suggestions? Just double everything?
Yes, that’s exactly right.
If it’s doubled, does it fit in a regular 8×13 casserole pan?
It should fit, but it may be a little tight. If there is excess mac and cheese leftover, you can always throw them into single serving ramekins as needed.
This mac and cheese looks amazing! I was looking for a mac and cheese with broccoli to lighten it up but cauliflower is such a great idea! I cannot wait to make it tonight. Ps your pooch is too cute!
I think adding pureed carrots to the cheese sauce would make it that much more healtheier…..just a thought. looks amazing! Trying tomorrow!
I made a different sauce for this last night, but I added shredded zucchini with the cheese. Big hit with my husband!
Had to leave a comment – I made this last night, trying to find a recipe that made cauliflower appealing to my family. This dish it’s absolutely amazing! So delicious. A real work of art – all of the flavors balance perfectly. We will be enjoying this one over and over again. Everyone loved it! Thank you.
Hey Chungah! This recipe is really great, but I’d like to try it without noodles–just cauliflower. Would you recommend adding more cheese, cream, etc, if I used two heads of cauliflower instead of one?
If you plan to substitute cauliflower for the pasta, you won’t need to adjust the other ingredients.
hello! I just made this succulent dish! yummmmmmmmmm…one question..can I freeze this?
Unfortunately, I cannot answer this with certainty as I have never tried freezing this myself – there were no leftovers left to freeze! Please use your best judgment for freezing and reheating.
I’m making this for a pot luck tomorrow and would like to use a 9×13 glass baking dish, should I multiple things by 2 or 3 for a dish that large?
I worry that doubling the recipe will be too much. It may be best to increase the recipe by 1.5 to use a baking dish of that size.
Do you know how many calories are in this dish? Thank you for making so many incredible dishes.
Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, it is best that you use free online resources at your discretion (you can gooogle “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
Milk? Did I miss something in the ingredients? I’m making it right now, so I’ll put a splash of milk in.
Thanks
Yes, Debbie. 1/4 cup milk is already listed in the ingredients section.
Wow! Spent all day filming and came home to make this for the kiddos. So glad I happened upon this recipe. Thank you so much! This is the best Mac ‘n’ Cheese we’ve EVER had.
Looks reallygood,
just would like to know what the weight watchers points would be and the serving in this recipe
Debbie, I try my very best to provide nutritional information for my recipes. However, if they are not available, it is best that you use free online resources at your discretion (you can gooogle “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
Hi! Is there a less expensive cheese I could use instead of Gruyere? A cup of that sounds like alot! Maybe a low-fat cheese? Thanks so much!
Jessica, Swiss cheese or Jarlsberg would be great substitutes. Hope that helps!
Had this recipe saved to my Pinterest & just got around to making it tonight. Directions were easy to follow & I’m currently stuffing my face.
Just stumbled upon on your blog searching for cauliflower mac and cheese and this looks good! Can’t wait to try this and a lot more of your recipes. Also, your red pot is adorable. Do you mind sharing where to get one like it? Thanks!
The brand of the pot is Le Creuset – you can purchase it through major department stores, Amazon, Williams-Sonoma, and of course, the Le Creuset store.
I’m not sure I’ve ever written in about a recipe before, but I had to in this case because this is a phenomena recipe. It’s not even a good substitute for my old homemade recipe. I like it better. Outstanding. Thanks for sharing!
This was a high end Mac and cheese–I used a smoked gruyere which was killer. My two Kraft Mac and cheese-loving children were converts!! Thank you for this delicious, satisfying, healthy dish!