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.
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.
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. π
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. π
Let’s talk about the sauce.
As I previously stated above, β 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…
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…β₯
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. π
*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. β₯
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.
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.
Oh-so-yummy, yet oh-so-healthy. Dig in! π
Healthy Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
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.
Need some more mac inspiration? Silly question. π
Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese — Spicy Southern Kitchen
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!
Sarah says
Haha! No shame in wanting mac ‘n’ cheese for breakfast. I get those cravings aaaall the time. π You totally need to try this mac, girl!
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!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Keri! This mac ‘n’ cheese sounds like it was made for you! π
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Sarah, I seriously love this. Anything that requires an entire head of cauliflower is a winner in my book. . and the fact that you healthified mac and cheese. . brilliant!! love this!
Sarah says
Right?! Bring on ALL the cauli! π Thanks, girly!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I adore roasted cauliflower – so this looks amazing! Love it! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for the love and for pinning, Stacey!!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
Healthy Mac and Cheese??? AWESOME!!! I love cauliflower, and it is a great idea to include it in my mac n cheese!
Sarah says
Thanks Olivia! You definitely need to try this mac if you’ve got a thing for cauliflower! π
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? π
Sarah says
Yeeess! There’s just no beating a good mac ‘n’ cheese. π and absolutely YES to extra scoops! No guilt whatsoever.
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 π
Sarah says
Yay! You definitely need to give this mac & cheese a go, Danielle! Weekend dinner/snack? π
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
First of all, your photos are STUNNING! Secondly, gimme a bowl, because this looks like some seriously delicious mac n cheese! I would never guess there’s cauliflower hiding in there!
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet photography love, Denise! You definitely need a bowl of this mac pronto!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I love your lightened up versions of meals Sarah… such a creative idea to add cauliflower to this mac and cheese too. Looks so creamy and delicious whilst still being relatively healthy!
Sarah says
Thanks Thaila! Who knew that indulgent mac could be healthy too?! π
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This looks crazy delicious! I love that you made a healthy mac & cheese especially with all the roasted cauliflower in here! This is perfect for getting my lil guy and the hubs to eat more veggies – love it!!:)
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! This mac & cheese is seriously SO kid-friendly! The picky kiddos around here gobble it up!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
This looks insanely good, Sarah! Who would have guess that it’s heathy?
Sarah says
Thanks Jen! Have a great weekend, girly!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Had to click over from Foodgawker just now because this looks so yummy! Love that you used cauliflower!
Sarah says
Thank you Christin!! xoxo
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I really REALLY need to make this! I love cauliflower and my kids love mac and cheese! Win-win!
Sarah says
Yay! This mac sounds perfect for your family, girl! LMK if you make it! π
nagie piersi says
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Continue the good work!