Skinny Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

By Ellie

6 Person

40 Minutes

0 Calories

Less fat AND less calories. Except taste and flavor is not compromised AT ALL! So cheesy, comforting and irresistible!

Ingredients

2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 oz. cream cheese
1 cup half and half, or more, as needed
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 cups cauliflower florets
3 cups cavatappi pasta

Method

01

Preheat oven to 375℉.
02

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Within the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add cauliflower; drain well.
03

Melt butter in a 9-inch oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half and half, and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, Dijon and garlic powder until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
04

Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more half and half as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
05

Stir in pasta and cauliflower; gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
06

Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 12-15 minutes.
07

Serve immediately, garnished with chives, if desired.

Related Tags

Mac and Cheese Recipes

Skinny Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

4.9

( By Ellie )

Less fat AND less calories. Except taste and flavor is not compromised AT ALL! So cheesy, comforting and irresistible!

01 Information

Grade easy
Serving 6 servings
Prep Time 15 Mins
Cook Time 25 Mins
Total Time 40 Mins

02 Ingredients

2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 oz. cream cheese

1 cup half and half, or more, as needed

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

3 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cups cauliflower florets

3 cups cavatappi pasta

03 Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375℉.

Step 2

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Within the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add cauliflower; drain well.

Step 3

Melt butter in a 9-inch oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half and half, and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, Dijon and garlic powder until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more half and half as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Step 5

Stir in pasta and cauliflower; gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

Step 6

Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 12-15 minutes.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with chives, if desired.

04 Author