Keto Mac Cheese Cauliflower (Printable)

Low-carb creamy mac with roasted cauliflower and crunchy bacon topping, packed with sharp cheese flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower (about 28 oz), cut into bite-size florets

→ Dairy

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
05 - 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 2 ounces cream cheese
07 - 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Meats

08 - 6 slices bacon

→ Pantry and Spices

09 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon melted butter, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
02 - Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and tender, stirring once halfway through cooking.
03 - Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble into fine pieces. Set aside.
04 - In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add heavy cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and cream cheese is fully melted, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Gradually stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and thick. Do not allow the sauce to boil.
06 - Add roasted cauliflower to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat all florets evenly.
07 - Transfer mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle evenly with bacon crumbs, and bake at 400°F for 7 to 10 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
08 - Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It satisfies that deep mac and cheese craving while keeping you in ketosis, no guilt required.
  • Roasted cauliflower develops a nutty sweetness that makes you forget it's not pasta, especially buried in that silky cheese sauce.
  • Bacon crumbs on top mean every forkful has texture and smoke, turning a side dish moment into something you crave.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cream cheese, I made that mistake once trying to simplify, and the sauce ended up grainy and separated by the time it hit the table.
  • Medium-low heat is non-negotiable when melting cheese, I learned this by scorching a beautiful sauce and having to start over, which was humbling.
  • Roast your cauliflower ahead of time if you want, the sauce is where the timing gets tricky, so having that step done removes so much stress.
03 -
  • Shred your cheese fresh if possible because pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that interfere with melting smoothly, and the difference is noticeable.
  • Keep a bit of the roasting pan butter for your skillet when cooking bacon, it makes the bacon taste even better and wastes nothing.
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