How to make cauliflower mac and cheese casserole

Cooktop Cove: How to make cauliflower mac and cheese casserole

By Kate Elliott

Mac and cheese tops the list of many people's favorite foods list. But there's a reason so many people leave it for just special occasions. It's carb-laden, loaded with calories and isn't doing anybody's waistline any favors. However, those who still want to enjoy this dish, and enjoy it whenever they want, as much as they want, are in luck. The recipe that follows shows that with just one simple substitution, you can get all that delicious flavor with just a fraction of the calories.

That substitution is of course, cauliflower, the one vegetable that can take the place of so many different carbs. By just lightly steaming cauliflower and then covering it in a creamy cheese sauce, you can get all the goodness without any of the guilt. And to make it even better, it can all be pulled together in just under half an hour, too. Now what other mac and cheese dish can say that?

How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Casserole

5 minutes

20 minutes

25 minutes

1 head of cauliflower, chopped into florets

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 cup heavy cream

2 ounces mascarpone cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, divided

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish and preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place two inches of water into a large pot. Place a steamer basket inside and the florets inside of the basket. Sprinkle cauliflower with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Place the pot over high heat and steam the cauliflower for about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. When done, transfer to a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Whisk in the mascarpone cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth.

Stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese into the cream mixture along with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Add the cheese sauce to the steamed cauliflower in the bowl and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese on top has melted and the casserole is hot and bubbling throughout.