This keto macaroni and cheese skips the pasta and is made with a cauliflower and a cheesy sauce that only requires a few simple ingredients. It is a low carb side dish that everyone in the family will love and works with just about any meal.
Macaroni and cheese is a staple in our house. We enjoy it with our dinners at least once a week and it goes with just about everything. It is a side dish that kids are always excited about and something I know they will eat. It also makes a great holiday side dish!
❤️ Why you'll love it
This keto mac and cheese is a flavorful side that you can cook on the stovetop and is ready in just 30 minutes. No baking needed!
Keto macaroni and cheese is packed with nutrients and is a healthier version of the pasta mac and cheese because it uses cauliflower instead of pasta.
The homemade cheese sauce is extremely easy to make. Even if you have never made a cheese sauce before, you can put this together. My daughter is a regular mac and cheese addict and she tasted this keto version and actually liked it!
🧾 Ingredients Used
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- Cauliflower: This is going to be the star of the show for this mac and cheese. Using cauliflower instead of pasta keeps the dish low-carb and keto-friendly.
- Cream Cheese: Using cream cheese will help make the mac and cheese creamy, rich, and smooth.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: The cream will help thicken the sauce up. Make sure it's heavy whipping cream and not half and half or milk otherwise it won't set up properly.
- Cheddar Cheese: Grated sharp cheddar cheese is our favorite. If you don't have sharp cheddar on hand you can substitute it out for another cheese or a mixture of different cheeses.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese will add more flavor to the sauce as well as help make the sauce thicker.
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cayenne pepper is optional but it does add a tiny bit of extra flavor to the keto macaroni and cheese.
🔪 How To Make Keto Mac and Cheese
- Boil the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes, then pour into a colander to drain. Set the cooked cauliflower to the side while you make the cheese sauce.
- In a saucepan, add the cream cheese and heavy cream and cook on medium heat. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the other cheeses and spices on low heat. Stir until all of the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce to check for salt. If you need to add more you can do this now, just a little at a time though until it reaches your preferred taste.
- Add the cooked cauliflower to the cheese sauce and stir until it is well coated. Simmer for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
🥫 Storing and Reheating
Once the low carb mac and cheese has been cooked, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. I don't recommend freezing it.
💭 Tips and Variations
- Freshly grated cheese will make the keto mac and cheese sauce creamy. Pre-shredded cheese you get from the store has additives in it so it doesn't melt as well.
- I use sharp cheddar cheese with this recipe but you can use other cheeses. You can experiment with other cheese flavors like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss, Gruyere, Mozzarella or do a combination of cheeses.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
You can serve this low carb macaroni and cheese with your favorite low carb dinners like keto grilled chicken, keto meatloaf, oven baked salmon, and these shake and bake pork chops. The options are endless because you can serve it with just about any main dish!
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
Yes! Cauliflower is one of the best, and most used, ingredients for many keto dishes because it's high in nutrients but low in carbs. For keto-friendly dishes, you can use cauliflower instead of pasta or potatoes.
I like using fresh cauliflower because it doesn't become too mushy.
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📖 Recipe
Keto Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 cups cauliflower florets fresh
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- pinch of cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Boil the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes, then pour into a colander to drain. Set aside.8 cups cauliflower florets
- Add the cream cheese and heavy cream to a saucepan on medium heat.4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Stir till the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the other cheeses and spices. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, pinch of cayenne pepper
- Check for salt and adjust.
- Add the cauliflower to the cheese sauce and stir until it is well coated.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
Notes
- Add a swerve brown sugar glaze for a delicious twist on this recipe. Simply combine ¼ cup swerve brown sugar with one tablespoon of water and brush it on the duck breasts before cooking.
- You can also use sugar-free barbecue sauce for a delicious glaze.
- Try using fruity sauces or glazes to add some different flavors to this recipe. Some good options are orange sauce, plum sauce, or hoisin sauce. Just be sure to use the sugar-free versions.
- You can also use duck thighs or duck legs (drumsticks) in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly.
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