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Healthy Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

By Sarah On   |  Updated:

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You won’t believe that this creamy, cheesy mac ‘n ‘cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs.

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

 Hi, healthy mac ‘n’ cheese. Welcome to the Superfood Party. You’re kinda late, but I saved you a seat.

….in my stomach.

All wisecracks aside, let’s talk healthy mac. It DOES exist, you know. And clearly, it’s amazing since this is literally my new favorite mac ‘n’ cheese in the universe.

Okaaaay, I may be just a little biased, considering my insane love for cauliflower, but I have no doubt you’ll think the same of this mac. Seriously DA BEST.

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

And if you still have your doubts? Allow me to come over there and give you a friendly cauliflower-mac-n-cheese-shoving in the face.

That said, grab that head of cauli stat. It’s obv our superfood ingredient for today. 🙂

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

This mac is seriously SO cheesy, creamy and just plain ol’ comforting just like a mac ‘n’ cheese should be. SURPRISE! There’s no heavy cream, no processed cheese, no scarily-high-calorie anything inside.

Just a whoooole lotta’ healthy yum. 😉

Let’s talk about the sauce.

As I previously stated above, ↑ The ingredients in the sauce is on the lighter, cleaner side of things. But SCORE! You’d never know it, because this sauce is just so perfectly creamy and cheesy. Heaven on a spoon.

Oh, geez. I did NOT just say that…

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

We’re going to use milk as most mac sauces call for (I always always use skim) chicken broth (this is subbing in for the heavy cream) flour for thickening, just a LITTLE bit of butter (not much, I promise!) a few seasonings, and then REAL shredded cheddar cheese. The real stuff, guys. None of that rubbery scary Velveeta.

I seriously did not expect this sauce to taste as amazing as it did, but my heavens, it did…♥

Swimming around with the elbows and roasty cauliflower and topped with all the crispy breadcrumbs and I’d say it’s definitely time for a faceplant. 🙂

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

*Quick note on the cauliflower.*

As you may have caught above, we’re going to roast the cauliflower florets before adding it to the pasta and our perfectly-perfect cheese sauce. Roasting brings out all the flavors of the cauliflower, plus it ensures that we’ll have that perfect soft-tender texture. Crunchy cauli mac is a huge-ish no-no in my mind.

Simply spread the cauliflower florets on a greased baking sheet, drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast ‘er up at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork-tender.

Try not to eat it all right then and there. ♥

Toss the cauli with some elbows (not actual ones—just gross) and the sneakily-healthy cheese sauce in your prettiest casserole dish. Sprinkle on the seasoned breadcrumbs like ‘ya just don’t care…

Bake until bubbly, then stuff ‘yo face like there’s no tomorrow.

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

Friends, I think I can safely say that there is just no beating this mac. And the fact that it’s healthy too? Yes, I think I will take a third helping…

Even Ms. Picky-Pants Rachel who hates cauliflower with a disturbingly high-amount of passion and is VERY particular about how her mac ‘n’ cheese is prepared, was cleaning her plate and asking for seconds.

And that, my friends, is a very huge SCORE in this household.

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs. @WholeHeavenly

Oh-so-yummy, yet oh-so-healthy. Dig in! 🙂

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Healthy Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

You won't believe that this creamy, cheesy mac 'n 'cheese is on the lighter side! Loaded with tender roasted cauliflower and topped with lots of crispy breadcrumbs.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into florets (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb elbow pasta cooked according to package ingredients
  • 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Instructions

  • Place cauliflower florets on a greased baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 400F 20-25 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter, then whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly add milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly until smooth. Stir over medium-high heat until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in garlic powder, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place roasted cauliflower and cooked pasta in a greased 9x13 baking pan. Pour cheese sauce over top and gently stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs.
  • Bake macaroni and cheese at 375F 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and topping is golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below. Feel free to share a picture on Instagram and tag @wholeandheavenlyoven or hashtag it #wholeandheavenlyoven

Need some more mac inspiration? Silly question. 😉

Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese — Spicy Southern Kitchen

Zesty White Mac ‘n’ Cheese — Will Cook For Smiles

Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese — Olives and Garlic

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    So healthy mac ‘n cheese does exist! I’m super excited now, Sarah! This looks absolutely incredible! Is it bad to want this for breakfast?! I love your creative twist on this dish. Cauliflower is one of my favorites too, so this is such a great idea to use it to lighten up mac ‘n cheese! Delish!

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Haha! No shame in wanting mac ‘n’ cheese for breakfast. I get those cravings aaaall the time. 😉 You totally need to try this mac, girl!

      Reply

  2. Keri says

    Oh my goodness. I LOVE cauliflower and mac and cheese is one of my favorites… why have I never thought to combine them?! My mouth is watering!

    Reply

  6. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    Now how good does THIS look? I want to grab a fork and dig in! I don’t think there is anything better than mac & cheese. So good. And since it’s healthy with cauliflower, it’s ok if I take an extra scoop, right? 😉

    Reply

  7. Danielle says

    I think my life is complete now that I’ve found a healthy mac and cheese recipe! This looks absolutely incredible and I’d never be able to tell that it was lighter. My list of recipes I need to make from your blog is growing quickly, and this one just got added! Love this 🙂

    Reply

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