Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Keto Mac and Cheese is a creamy, delicious Instant Pot keto side dish that you can make in your pressure cooker for the ultimate low carb comfort food!

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (1)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Fast. Done in under 30 minutes with the help of your Instant Pot.
  • Easy. A simple pour and cook recipe that is just as easy to make as it is to eat.
  • Low Carb. Only 7 net carbs per serving.
  • Vegetarian. Unlike a lot of other keto recipes that rely on bacon to add flavor, this keto mac and cheese is full of flavor from the pairing of cheddar cheese and cream cheese.

Is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Good?

I know it's a stretch. BUT if you're wanting macaroni and cheese and are trying to eat low carb, this is a great option!

Sure it's not the real thing. But if you need a good alternative, this is as delicious as it comes!

Ingredients To Grab

  • Cauliflower- This is replaces the high carb noodles that are in traditional macaroni and cheese.
  • Cream Cheese- Gives a tangy flavor and increases the fat content to help satisfy hunger for longer periods of time.
  • Half and Half- Provides a creamy consistency to give it the same mouth feel as mac and cheese.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese- Is packed with intense cheese flavor that will have you going back bite after bite.
  • Kosher Salt
  • Ground Black Pepper

How To Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  1. In a heatproof bowl, mix all ingredients together.
  2. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil.
  3. Place 1.5 c of water in the Instant Pot, and put in a trivet. Place the covered pot on the trivet.
  4. Set your Instant Pot to 5 mins at High Pressure, and allow it to release pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Heat the oven broiler and place the cooked cauliflower under it, and broil until the cheese is brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

I know you're going to think my timing is off on this. Who cooks riced cauliflower for 5 minutes and lets it NPR?

What I discovered is that if you're cooking it PIP, it actually takes that long.

So trust the recipe, and do it for 5 minutes as specified. Be sure to use a heatproof pan that can be put under the grill as well, as you'll want to brown the cheese a bit.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2)

What To Serve With Keto Mac and Cheese

Keto Mac and Cheese is a great side dish for a variety of your favorite proteins. For a well-rounded low carb dinner, try serving it with one of these tasty main courses:

  • Juicy Pork Chops
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Reuben Casserole

How Long Does It Last?

This Keto Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite side dishes to make a double batch of because of how well it reheats and how pairs with so many dishes.

If you double it up or just have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before it begins to lose the original flavor and texture.

Looking For More Cauliflower Recipes?

  • Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapenos- the most flavorful way to cook cauliflower.
  • Aloo Gobi- an amazing cauliflower and potato recipe
  • Cauliflower Breadsticks- a great keto side to any dish.
  • Cauliflower Chaffle- who needs traditional bread when you have these?

How many cauliflower recipes can a person eat? Obviously, a lot but how much of it can you eat before you're craving a change? I made Low Carb Chicken Biryani yesterday with riced cauliflower and I had some left over.

I have a simple baked Cauliflower and Cheese recipe as well, but I wanted to see how it would work in the Instant Pot, since my previous recipe requires cooking the cauliflower first. This is a fast, creamy, keto-friendly recipe that makes a good side dish to spiced meats.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (3)

Pin It!

If you love this Keto Mac and Cheese recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (4)

Keto Mac and Cheese | Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

Instant Pot Low Carb Keto Cauliflower and Cheese is a creamy, delicious side dish that you can make in your pressure cooker for the ultimate low carb comfort food!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Bacon and Jalapeno Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, Cauliflower and Cheese, Instant Pot Cauliflower and Cheese

Servings: 2

Calories: 270kcal

Author: Urvashi

Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (214 g) Cauliflower, riced
  • 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup (121 g) Half and Half
  • 1/2 cup (56.5 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  • In a heatproof bowl, mix all ingredients together.

  • Cover the bowl with aluminum foil.

  • Place 1.5 c of water in the Instant Pot, and put in a trivet. Place the covered pot on the trivet.

  • Set your Instant Pot to 5 mins at High Pressure, and allow it to release pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes.

  • Heat the oven broiler and place the cooked cauliflower under it, and broil until the cheese is brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

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Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 21g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Tried this recipe?Follow @twosleevers and Pin it!

Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.

Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (5)
Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (6)
Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (7)

« Buffalo Chicken Salad | Spicy Chicken Salad Recipe

Instant Pot Brats | Chicken Bratwurst with Cabbage »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Johanna

    This was 😋 cheesy, warm and delicious. I didn’t have heavy cream on hand, so I substituted with 1/2 of evaporated milk this time, and it was still perfect. Thank you, great recipe as usual 🙏💕

    Reply

  2. Frauke

    Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (8)
    This is the first time I liked cauliflower rice!
    Used boursin instead of cream cheese and added chopped fried bacon.
    Didn't need to put it under the broiler, it was good as is.

    Reply

  3. Laura

    What do I need to do with frozen cauliflower? Can I just mix it frozen or do I need to cook it before putting it in the mixture (and if so, how should I cook it?). Thanks!

    Reply

    • Johanna

      I usually defrost the cauliflower and drain the liquid, then just proceed with the recipe

      Reply

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Keto Mac and Cheese | Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat as much cheese as you want on keto? ›

Although it's very low in carbs, a person can consume large amounts at once because cheese tastes so good. Moderation is key. So, if you're having cheese as part of a weight loss strategy like keto, make sure you know your daily calorie limit along with your protein and fat macronutrient needs.

Can you eat macaroni on a keto diet? ›

Can you eat macaroni on keto? Traditional pasta made from wheat flour is not keto friendly. However, there are many keto pasta alternatives out there. You can buy low carb pasta like shiratake noodles from the grocery store or make zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash at home.

What is keto macaroni made of? ›

This recipe uses real elbow macaroni (low carb ones!), but you can replace them with baked Cauliflower if you wish, and it will taste JUST as good. Each serving (with elbow macaroni's included) is 7 g net carbs per serving, and would be even lower if you substituted with cauliflower for the noodles.

What can I mix into my mac and cheese? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What cheese is not allowed on keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

Will cheese kick you out of ketosis? ›

All types of cheese are allowed on the keto diet, as cheese is relatively low in carbohydrate, which complies with the key principle of the keto diet. The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan.

What can I substitute for pasta in mac and cheese? ›

The traditional pasta is often swapped with alternatives like cauliflower or zucchini noodles, offering a similar texture with a fraction of the carbs. These versions not only cater to the low-carb community but also add a serving of vegetables, enhancing the nutritional value of the meal.

What foods are off limits with keto? ›

It is best if you aim to consume around 12-15g net carbs from vegetables per day, and here are the keto diet foods to avoid:
  • Potatoes.
  • Sweet potatoes.
  • Baked potatoes.
  • Yams.
  • Peas.
  • Corn.
  • Artichoke.
  • Parsnips.

What can I replace rice with on keto? ›

6 Keto-Friendly and Low Carb Rice Substitutes
  • Cauliflower Rice. 0.9 grams net carbs and 0.9 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Shirataki Rice. 0.6 grams net carbs and 0 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Mushroom Rice. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Wild Rice. ...
  • Quinoa.

Are egg noodles keto-friendly? ›

While egg noodles can be OK in moderation on special occasions, they should not be a staple in your keto diet. So, what should you do if you're hankering for pasta? If you're hungry and feel like noodles, opt for low-carb pasta such as spaghetti squash, zoodles, or homemade low-carb egg noodles.

What is a keto substitute for elbow macaroni? ›

Top 11 Low-Carb Alternatives to Pasta and Noodles
  • Spaghetti Squash. Spaghetti squash is an excellent pasta substitute. ...
  • Spiralized Vegetables. ...
  • Eggplant Lasagna. ...
  • Cabbage Noodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Couscous. ...
  • Celeriac Couscous. ...
  • Sprouts. ...
  • Onion Noodles.
Oct 9, 2018

What 2 cheeses are best for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese.
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt.
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. There's a reason why elbow macaroni is the classic shape for macaroni and cheese. ...
  4. Overcooking. No one wants grainy cheese sauce and mushy pasta. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Can I eat as much as I want on keto? ›

While it's true that the keto diet involves eating lots of protein and fat with very limited carbohydrates, it doesn't mean you can eat in infinite quantities. Like any diet, its success depends on you achieving a calorie deficit.

Does too much dairy kick you out of ketosis? ›

As long as the particular dairy product is low enough in carbs to fit within your daily carb limit, you can have it on keto. For most people, this limit will be around 35 grams of total carbs and 25 grams of net carbs per day.

Does cheese stall weight loss on keto? ›

Full-fat dairy and most nuts are allowed on the keto diet, but too much of either can stall your progress. Dairy, such as rich cheeses or cream in coffee, can be easy to over-consume.

Do Portions matter on keto diet? ›

Unfortunately though, eating keto doesn't mean a food free-for-all; portion sizes still matter. Many people start keto as a method of maintaining or dropping their weight. To achieve that goal, it's essential to ensure you're not overindulging or consuming too many calories.

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