Cauliflower Mac And Cheese 5 Ingredients

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese is a family favorite and is one of our go-to comfort food recipes. By adding the cauliflower right to the cheese sauce, we’re able to tuck a veggie right into the sauce without having to make a side dish to go with dinner. I love using cauliflower in the cheese sauce since it acts as a thickener without the need to use a flour-based roux…which can be tricky to make with a little one underfoot. And the vegetable has such a mellow taste that you still get to enjoy the flavor of the classic dish. (I tell the kids what’s in the mix since I want them to know that they like cauliflower.) This is one of our favorite kids pasta recipes because it’s both yummy and easy. And it works with just about any shape of pasta or macaroni your kids like, so you can let them pick a shape or use one you’re in the mood for. (You may also like this Creamy Chicken Pasta, which is similar to this mac and cheese but with the addition of chicken.)

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe you’ll need the following ingredients. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Pasta: You can use any kind of pasta you prefer, though we like this with smaller shapes such as elbow macaroni or ditalini. Cauliflower: You can start with a head of cauliflower, precut cauliflower florets, or even cauliflower rice. We cook it until tender, so all are possible to use. Cheddar cheese: I use shredded cheddar cheese, in white or yellow according to what the kids prefer, in this cheese mixture. Milk: We use whole milk in our house, but any type will work if you use another. If using nondairy milk, just be sure it’s unsweetened and plain. Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor and melts right into the cheese sauce. Pinch of garlic powder: This is optional to add extra flavor to the mac and cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in how to make this quick Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post to the recipe to see the full details. TIP: You can stir in some of the sauce and save the rest for later if you want to make it less cheesy/saucy to please the kids.

How to Store

You can make the sauce up to 3 days ahead of time if you store it in an airtight container. Warm the sauce for 15-30 seconds in the microwave and stir into the cooked and drained warm pasta. If you want to make this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese ahead, I’d recommend making the cheese sauce and storing it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the pasta.

Best Tips for Success

We prefer short shapes of pasta such as elbow macaroni, ditalini, pastina, or small shells. Omit the garlic powder if you’re at all worried the kids may not like it. Or use onion powder or black pepper as you like. To make this dairy-free, use plain nondairy milk and dairy-free cheese. Stir the sauce into the pasta right before serving. Swap in another cheese if you prefer, such as gouda, pepper-jack, or gruyere. (We always stick with sharp cheddar cheese!)

I’d love to hear your feedback if you make this recipe, so please comment below!