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5 from 1 vote

Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

This roasted cauliflower mac & cheese recipe reimagines a classic comfort food by combining tender roasted cauliflower with a creamy cheese sauce. It also adds an extra dose of fiber and protein, making it a balanced and delicious side dish for any occasion.
Servings: 6
Calories: 205.2kcal
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower washed and cut into florets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp almond flour
  • 1 ½ cups almond milk unsweetened, or any preferred milk
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded, reduced fat
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 cup pasta shells, cooked (optional)*
  • 1 tbsp parsley or chives for garnish, chopped, optional

Notes

*Note that cooked pasta is not included in the nutrient analysis.

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Once cauliflower is well coated, spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Remove the roasted cauliflower from the oven and reduce heat to 375°F.
    1 head cauliflower, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp pepper
  • Begin to prepare sauce by heating olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant. Stir in almond flour and cook for another minute to form a roux.
    2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp almond flour
  • Slowly pour in the almond milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
    1 ½ cups almond milk
  • Reduce heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
    1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup nutritional yeast, 1 tsp mustard powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
  • Add the cooked cauliflower florets to the cheese sauce, gently folding until everything is evenly coated. Optional to add pasta shells but note that this will increase the carbohydrate content of the recipe.
    1 cup pasta
  • Transfer the cauliflower and cheese mixture to the greased baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Optional to broil for 2-4 minutes. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.
    1 tbsp parsley

Cooking Tips

Cutting Technique:
Cut the cauliflower into small florets of uniform size to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture in the mac and cheese.
Topping with Breadcrumbs (Optional):
For added texture, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the mac and cheese before baking. This creates a crispy, golden crust.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Amount per Serving
Calories
205.2
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
14.4
g
22
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Trans Fat
 
0.002
g
Cholesterol
 
29.1
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
398.5
mg
17
%
Potassium
 
386.8
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
8.7
g
3
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
2.7
g
3
%
Protein
 
12.1
g
24
%
Vitamin C
 
46.6
mg
56
%
Vitamin D
 
0.2
µg
1
%
Calcium
 
324.1
mg
32
%
Iron
 
0.8
mg
4
%
Magnesium
 
26.3
mg
7
%
Zinc
 
1.4
mg
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.