Next Post
Earl Grey Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Salted Maple Butter.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
This super easy One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the perfect recipe for sneaking in the vegetables. Short cut pasta and nutrient-packed cauliflower are boiled together until al dente. Then a splash of milk, a handful of sharp cheddar cheese, and just a touch butter are all stirred together for a creamy mac and cheese, that’s cozy yet healthy(ish) too. Added bonus, this simple mac and cheese is made all in one pot, in just about thirty minutes.
Sharing the absolute easiest, coziest, comfort food recipe today. And you guys…it’s the perfect Monday recipe for cold, snowy winter days (which is what is going on here!). Growing up, mac and cheese was never something my dad would make. If my brothers and I were eating mac and cheese it was either the boxed Kraft mac and cheese or Stouffer’s frozen mac and cheese.
Oh my gosh, do you guys remember those days? Pure childhood comfort. I wouldn’t mind going back for just a day or so. Twas the best to come home from school, shower (I always, always showered the minute I got home from school…I was so weird), cozy up by the fire, and enjoy a cheesy bowl of pasta while watching Gilmore Girls.
Simply the best.
Lately, I’ve been drawing some inspiration from my favorite childhood comfort foods. Which made me realize that I don’t have a good stove-top mac and cheese recipe. How that is I have not a clue. But the good news is that I quickly worked to change that and created the perfect (healthy…ish) creamy, one pot mac and cheese.
Enter this stove-top, extra creamy cauliflower mac and cheese.
This. Is. So. Good. Healthy…ish. And easy too.
Here are all the details.
As I said, I’ve been looking to my childhood for some inspiration recently. And, of course, mac and cheese was a beloved staple for my brothers and me while growing up.
I knew I wanted to create the perfect stove-top mac and cheese that was similar to the boxed stuff, but much, much better…and so much healthier. With the addition of cauliflower, I was able to use way less cream, butter, and even cheese. But yet still have a super creamy and cheesy stove-top mac and cheese.
As you can guess, this is so quick and easy. Start by boiling a big pot of water on the stove. Use a pot that will be large enough to hold both the pasta and the cauliflower.
While the water is coming to a boil, start chopping the cauliflower. You’ll want to roughly chop the cauliflower into similar size pieces as your pasta. The idea is that the cauliflower really blends in with the pasta so that you may not even realize it’s there.
Once the water has come to a boil, add the pasta and the cauliflower. Boil together until al dente, then simply stir in all the remaining ingredients, and that’s kind of it. The key is using a touch of cream cheese and creamy dijon mustard for creaminess. This creates the perfect amount of creamy sauce, but still keeps things on the lighter side.
For the cheeses, I love using a mix of sharp white cheddar (for flavor) and creamy fontina and or provolone, for creaminess. Together they create that ideal cheese pull we all love so much.
Then a touch of garlic, a sprinkle of cayenne (to your taste), and fresh herbs for additional flavor and to finish out the recipe.
SIMPLE but GOOD.
Some ideas to switch up the recipe a bit…
If you prefer a baked make and cheese, that works well here too and will be delicious. Just leave out the final cup of cheese and instead transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, then top with that reserved cheese. Bake for twenty or so minutes and wallah…you’ll have cheesy baked mac and cheese!
Want to add more vegetables? Spinach and artichokes, roasted broccoli, or crispy mushrooms would all be great as additional stir-ins. Really you can easily adapt this recipe however you’d like. It’s pretty hard to mess up!
So while this isn’t identical to the Kraft box cheese (thank goodness), I’d take this recipe any day. I might be biased, but I think it’s so much better. The real cheese flavor shines through and the creaminess from the combination of cauliflower, cream cheese, and cheese is beyond perfect.
I couldn’t think of a better Monday night dinner. It’s cozy, but healthy..ish, easy and so delicious. Bonus? I am ninety-nine percent sure you can get your kids, husband, and all the picky eaters in your life to eat (and love) this.
Looking for other Mac and Cheese recipes…click here!
Lastly, if you make this one pot creamy cauliflower mac and cheese, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 511 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 pound short-cut pasta, such as macaroni
- 1 small to medium head cauliflower, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup canned coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk
- 3 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina or provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper to taste
- fresh chopped parsley and or chives, for topping
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons salt,
the pasta, and cauliflower, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Do not drain the water. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, mustard, and garlic powder, and cook until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente, about 4-5 minutes more. 2. Add the cheeses and butter, and stir until melted and creamy. Remove from the heat. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. If the sauce feels too thick, add ¼ cup of milk or water to thin.3. Divide the mac and cheese between bowls. Top with fresh parsley, chives, and pepper. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on February 17, 2020
I’m late to the party but this was delicious and so easy! I used whole wheat macaroni, and I added a bit more water because I think my head of cauliflower was fairly large. I used a mix of mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and provolone for the cheese because that’s what I had on hand. Once again delicious!
Thank you so much Rachel! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Just wanted to make sure: do you turn down the heat when you add the cheese, or leave the water boiling?
Thanks!
Hey Margaret,
You can leave the heat up until the pasta come to al dente. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I did this recipe yesterday and it had no flavour. Sorry bit I would not recommend
Hi Paula! I am really sorry to hear that. Is there anything that I can help with? I hope you continue to love other recipes of mine! xTieghan
Delicious!! I will absolutely make it again!! I followed the recipe to the t! I added some extra S&P at the end to our preference. Thank you For sharing. I’ll be making this again!
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much Kristy! xTieghan
Can’t taste the Cauliflower! no-one in my family tends to like any vegetable mix ins, but they didn’t notice it at all!
Amazing! Thank you Harrison! xTieghan
Just discovered your website! Where have I been? In beautifull British Columbia, Canada.!!
Made your Mac and cheese. Was skeptical about the one pot thing, but oh my, so easy and so delicious.
Hubby loved it too and didn’t really notice the cauli until I asked him.
I added 1 cup gruyere because I had it.
Having the left-overs today, can’t wait.
Looking forward to try more of your recipes.
Hi Antonia!! Well I am glad you found my site haha! Thank you for trying this one, its one of my favs! I hope you continue to love all of the other recipes on my site! xTieghan
Made this tonight but used Banza pasta and it was fabulous! I felt like I maybe needed a tad bit more liquid, but it’s still delicious just have a bit of a layer at the bottom of my pan. Definitely quicker than I thought it was going to be too.
That is so amazing! Thank you so much for trying this Natalie! xTieghan
O.M.G! This was so unbelievably amazing! Cheesy, creamy, goodness. So impressed how the cauliflower just “melted” into the sauce. Sharing with everyone!!
Thank you for trying this Alex! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Good recipe but absolutely drain the water after boiling the pasta and save it. Add it as needed to thin your sauce. Otherwise you’re going to be boiling the noodles for 20 minutes to reduce the water left in the pot.
Hi Connor! Did your noodles overcook? This has never been a problem for me or others that have tried the recipe.. I would love to help! xTieghan
Do you think this recipe would work if baked afterwards? If so how long? I’m going for the crispy cheese top look, but wondering if it would require alternative preparation. Thanks!
Hi Meaghan,
Yes you could totally do that, I would transfer to a baking dish, cover with cheese, and bake for about 15-20 or until the cheese is melted at 350. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So good and so darn easy! Regretting all the years of NOT making my homemade Mac & cheese one-pot style! Also, added seasoned Parmesan Panko crumbs on top (just for the grown ups as the kiddos refused….) and the crunch was perfection. This will be a staple in our house!
Right?! It is so much better! I am so glad this one turned out so well for you Meghan! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
I decided to make this for dinner tonight and am so glad I did! My 4 year old proclaimed that it was “the best Mac and cheese ever!” The recipe is quick, easy and delicious. I did have to add almost half a cup of water at the end, and I think I’ll add a bit more cayenne pepper next time to give it a bit of a kick. Thanks for a great, simple, quick recipe!
Aw that is so amazing to hear! I am glad you both loved this recipe, Noshaba! Thank you! xTieghan
Made this last night and it was delicious. I used elbow macaroni for the pasta, fontina cheese instead of provolone, and coconut milk for the milk. So good and so creamy. Only took 20 minutes – perfect.
Hi Angie! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
Tieghan – Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! I love to cook and this was my first recipe of yours to try. Ordering your cookbook right now! I made the creamy Mac and cheese and my family put it in the top 5 dinners I have ever made! Thanks again! 🙂
Thank you Liz!! xTieghan
This was sooo good. Made half for just the two of us. I accidentally put too much salt. Had to doctor up a bit with more cream, water and cauliflower. Leftovers were great too. This is a keeper. Have both your cookbooks.
I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you CJ! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan