Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Keto Mac and Cheese is a creamy, delicious Instant Pot keto side dish that you can make in your pressure cooker for the ultimate low carb comfort food!

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (1)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Fast. Done in under 30 minutes with the help of your Instant Pot.
  • Easy. A simple pour and cook recipe that is just as easy to make as it is to eat.
  • Low Carb. Only 7 net carbs per serving.
  • Vegetarian. Unlike a lot of other keto recipes that rely on bacon to add flavor, this keto mac and cheese is full of flavor from the pairing of cheddar cheese and cream cheese.

Is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Good?

I know it's a stretch. BUT if you're wanting macaroni and cheese and are trying to eat low carb, this is a great option!

Sure it's not the real thing. But if you need a good alternative, this is as delicious as it comes!

Ingredients To Grab

  • Cauliflower- This is replaces the high carb noodles that are in traditional macaroni and cheese.
  • Cream Cheese- Gives a tangy flavor and increases the fat content to help satisfy hunger for longer periods of time.
  • Half and Half- Provides a creamy consistency to give it the same mouth feel as mac and cheese.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese- Is packed with intense cheese flavor that will have you going back bite after bite.
  • Kosher Salt
  • Ground Black Pepper

How To Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  1. In a heatproof bowl, mix all ingredients together.
  2. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil.
  3. Place 1.5 c of water in the Instant Pot, and put in a trivet. Place the covered pot on the trivet.
  4. Set your Instant Pot to 5 mins at High Pressure, and allow it to release pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Heat the oven broiler and place the cooked cauliflower under it, and broil until the cheese is brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

I know you're going to think my timing is off on this. Who cooks riced cauliflower for 5 minutes and lets it NPR?

What I discovered is that if you're cooking it PIP, it actually takes that long.

So trust the recipe, and do it for 5 minutes as specified. Be sure to use a heatproof pan that can be put under the grill as well, as you'll want to brown the cheese a bit.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2)

What To Serve With Keto Mac and Cheese

Keto Mac and Cheese is a great side dish for a variety of your favorite proteins. For a well-rounded low carb dinner, try serving it with one of these tasty main courses:

  • Juicy Pork Chops
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Reuben Casserole

How Long Does It Last?

This Keto Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite side dishes to make a double batch of because of how well it reheats and how pairs with so many dishes.

If you double it up or just have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before it begins to lose the original flavor and texture.

Looking For More Cauliflower Recipes?

  • Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapenos- the most flavorful way to cook cauliflower.
  • Aloo Gobi- an amazing cauliflower and potato recipe
  • Cauliflower Breadsticks- a great keto side to any dish.
  • Cauliflower Chaffle- who needs traditional bread when you have these?

How many cauliflower recipes can a person eat? Obviously, a lot but how much of it can you eat before you're craving a change? I made Low Carb Chicken Biryani yesterday with riced cauliflower and I had some left over.

I have a simple baked Cauliflower and Cheese recipe as well, but I wanted to see how it would work in the Instant Pot, since my previous recipe requires cooking the cauliflower first. This is a fast, creamy, keto-friendly recipe that makes a good side dish to spiced meats.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (3)

Pin It!

If you love this Keto Mac and Cheese recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (4)

Keto Mac and Cheese | Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

Instant Pot Low Carb Keto Cauliflower and Cheese is a creamy, delicious side dish that you can make in your pressure cooker for the ultimate low carb comfort food!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Bacon and Jalapeno Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, Cauliflower and Cheese, Instant Pot Cauliflower and Cheese

Servings: 2

Calories: 270kcal

Author: Urvashi

Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (214 g) Cauliflower, riced
  • 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup (121 g) Half and Half
  • 1/2 cup (56.5 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  • In a heatproof bowl, mix all ingredients together.

  • Cover the bowl with aluminum foil.

  • Place 1.5 c of water in the Instant Pot, and put in a trivet. Place the covered pot on the trivet.

  • Set your Instant Pot to 5 mins at High Pressure, and allow it to release pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes.

  • Heat the oven broiler and place the cooked cauliflower under it, and broil until the cheese is brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

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Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 21g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Tried this recipe?Follow @twosleevers and Pin it!

Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (5)
Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (6)
Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (7)

« Buffalo Chicken Salad | Spicy Chicken Salad Recipe

Instant Pot Brats | Chicken Bratwurst with Cabbage »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Johanna

    This was 😋 cheesy, warm and delicious. I didn’t have heavy cream on hand, so I substituted with 1/2 of evaporated milk this time, and it was still perfect. Thank you, great recipe as usual 🙏💕

    Reply

  2. Frauke

    Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (8)
    This is the first time I liked cauliflower rice!
    Used boursin instead of cream cheese and added chopped fried bacon.
    Didn't need to put it under the broiler, it was good as is.

    Reply

  3. Laura

    What do I need to do with frozen cauliflower? Can I just mix it frozen or do I need to cook it before putting it in the mixture (and if so, how should I cook it?). Thanks!

    Reply

    • Johanna

      I usually defrost the cauliflower and drain the liquid, then just proceed with the recipe

      Reply

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Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

There are a few different ways to keep your macaroni and cheese moist, from adding a solid layer of shredded cheese on top to holding back on the cream when making your sauce.

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Butter and flour: This makes our roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy.

Why isn't my homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

According to The Kitchn, cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes the sauce creamy before you even add the cheese sauce. The starches in the noodles get released as you cook them, helping to thicken the mixture from the start. That will ultimately help with the resulting creaminess.

What is the trick to keeping mac and cheese creamy? ›

Butter and flour: The combination of butter and flour thickens our creamy cheese sauce. You'll cook them together on the stove and then add the milk. The mixture thickens, and you can add your cheese. Easy!

What is the best cheese to use for macaroni and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What can I add to mac and cheese to make it taste better? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

What cheese to avoid for mac and cheese? ›

I would avoid Swiss (greasy when melted), mozzarella (melts great but noticeably bland here), parm (doesn't blend well with this technique), pecorino (same problem), and all low-fat or part-skim cheeses, which will not turn into a sauce at all but a bunch of stringy sludge. Avoid at all costs.

Is it better to use evaporated milk or regular milk in mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

The second big key was to use evaporated milk as the base liquid. Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is milk or heavy cream better for mac and cheese? ›

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

How do you perk up mac and cheese? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

What pasta can I use instead of elbow for mac and cheese? ›

Fusilli. Like cavatappi, fusilli features a corkscrew-like shape. And because it's smaller and tighter, it can serve as a good happy medium between cavatappi and elbow macaroni.

Should mac and cheese be runny before baking? ›

It's very important that your mixture thickens before you continue. The mixture should be creamy and should coat the back of a spoon (see step 5 below). If it's not thickened, your baked mac and cheese will be too liquidy and runny. We want creamy decadence, not a runny mess.

How to keep mac & cheese from drying out? ›

For all methods, to keep the mac and cheese from drying out, stir 1 tablespoon milk into each 1 cup mac and cheese before reheating. Before you reheat mac and cheese, you want to make sure it's stored properly.

How to keep mac and cheese from getting mushy? ›

Overcooked noodles will become mushy and could turn the finished dish into an all-around gluey mess. Since mac and cheese requires cooked noodles to be either added to hot cheese sauce until combined or put in a hot oven until golden brown, cutting the time they spend in boiling water is a must.

How do you make mac and cheese not runny? ›

4 Methods for Thickening Mac and Cheese
  1. Reduce the liquid. Simmer the cheese sauce on the stovetop on low heat. ...
  2. Add more cheese. You can thicken mac and cheese by simply adding more grated cheese to the cheese sauce. ...
  3. Use cornstarch or all-purpose flour. ...
  4. Mix in an egg yolk.
Jan 24, 2022

How do you firm up mac and cheese? ›

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Maybe it's just me …but I would stir in some breadcrumbs.

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