A healthy and creamy alternative to traditional Mac & Cheese using hidden cauliflower!

Healthy Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

The word ‘healthy’ is used pretty loosely. It’s really just a matter of what it means to each of us individually.

For example, I consider this Cauliflower Mac & Cheese to be a healthy alternative to real Mac & Cheese. Someone could certainly argue that it isn’t healthy because it calls for pasta noodles and processed cheese, but I feel like it’s a lot healthier than what it could be and the hidden cauliflower is a great way to sneak veggies in!

I was skeptical about this recipe before trying it, but was pleasantly surprised with my first bite! It’s a great recipe with simple ingredients. My only caution is that it will be bland if you leave out the cayenne.

If you’d like to ease into it, start with 1/8 of a tsp of cayenne or hot sauce and try it. Then increase it with another 1/8 of a tsp. Keep gradually adding it until you’ve hit your threshold! If that makes you nervous, swap out the bread crumbs with Italian bread crumbs to add some flavor. Or, do both!

What You’ll Need:

• 3 cups Cauliflower, Chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Elbow Macaroni
• 2 3/4 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 4 1/2 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne
• 2 cups Vegan Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
• 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
• 1 tbsp Vegan Butter, Melted

How to Make Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
• Boil 3 cups chopped cauliflower and 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni together in a sauce pan for 7 minutes.
• In a separate sauce pan, cook 2 3/4 cups unsweetened almond milk, 4 1/2 tbsp flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp cayenne until thickened.
• Stir in 2 cups vegan shredded cheddar cheese.
• Mix in cooked cauliflower and macaroni and pour into prepared pan.
• Combine 1/2 cup bread crumbs and 1 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the dish.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes.

More Comfort Food:

• Vegetarian Meatballs + VIDEO
• Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup
• Vegetarian Beef Stroganoff
• Vegetarian Twice Baked Potatoes
• Vegetarian Chili
• Easy Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese + VIDEO
• Easy Cheesy Potato Soup
• Tortellini Alfredo

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Yield: 9

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

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Cauliflower Mac & Cheese, a healthy and creamy alternative to traditional Mac & Cheese using hidden cauliflower!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups Cauliflower, Chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Elbow Macaroni
• 2 3/4 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 4 1/2 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne
• 2 cups Vegan Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
• 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
• 1 tbsp Vegan Butter, Melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Boil chopped cauliflower and macaroni together in a sauce pan for 7 minutes.
3. In a separate sauce pan, cook almond milk, flour, salt, and cayenne until thickened.
4. Stir in cheese.
5. Mix in cooked cauliflower and macaroni and pour into prepared pan.
6. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the dish.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes.