A recipe for creamy, baked macaroni and cheese using cauliflower florets instead of pasta, suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:50 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
4 tablespoons butter
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
Steam or boil the cauliflower florets until they are tender-crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them soft but not mushy. Drain them very well; excess water causes a watery final dish. Pat them dry with paper towels if necessary.
Place the drained cauliflower in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the cream cheese and stir until it melts into the butter.
Slowly whisk in the heavy cream until the mixture is smooth.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is completely smooth and melted. Do not let the sauce boil.
Stir in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower in the baking dish. Toss gently to coat all the florets.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
To prevent a watery result, cook the cauliflower until just tender and drain it thoroughly before adding the sauce.
For a thicker sauce, you can whisk in 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum with the cream cheese, but this is usually not necessary if you drain the cauliflower well.
You can top the dish with 2 tablespoons of crushed pork rinds before baking for a crunchy topping.