Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Delightfully rich, creamy, and tasty cauliflower mac and cheese can give any macaroni and cheese recipe a run for its money! Pasta or not, this hearty baked cauliflower mac is pure indulgence and just as good (if not better) than any other mac!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 601kcal
Prep 15 minutes
Cooking 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
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Ingredients
Baked Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
- 8 cups cauliflower (2 heads chopped into florets or 2 packages steamable cauliflower)
- 4 tablespoon butter (divided - 2 portions of 2 tablespoons each)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened, cubed)
- ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups baby spinach (rough chopped)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 4 oz smoked sausage (sliced)
Topping (optional)
- ½ cup pork rinds (crushed, or use breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
- butter (use the 2nd 2 tablespoon portion of butter)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly butter or grease your baking dish.
- Steam your cauliflower until tender-crisp. Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and heat on high for 5-6 minutes. Drain off the excess water and transfer it into your prepared baking dish.8 cups cauliflower
- In a large saucepan, heat the heavy cream with butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the cream cheese and seasoning (salt, pepper, and garlic powder) until smooth.4 tablespoon butter, 1 ½ cups heavy cream, 4 oz cream cheese, ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Remove from heat and add the baby spinach, stir, then add the grated sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.2 cups baby spinach, 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- Spread the sliced smoked sausage over the steamed cauliflower in your baking dish, then pour the sauce over both, Stir to mix if desired.4 oz smoked sausage
- Mix the toppings ingredients in a small bowl (pork rinds or breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter). Stir to combine then sprinkle over the cheesy cauliflower.½ cup pork rinds, 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, butter
- Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges. Broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the top if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 601kcal (30%) | Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) | Protein: 19g (38%) | Fat: 55g (85%) | Saturated Fat: 32g (200%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg (60%) | Sodium: 855mg (37%) | Potassium: 603mg (17%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 2691IU (54%) | Vitamin C: 67mg (81%) | Calcium: 392mg (39%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
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