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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
Made this tonight for the first time and it was delicious! The addition of mustard really makes it. I was worried about the water level to begin with but it all works out perfectly as the recipe outlines! I am loving your website and recipes! Thank you!
Hey Helen,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
my favorite mac and cheese recipe ever! I add charred broccoli to the top to add in some color and extra veggies. Thanks for another amazing dish!
Hey Kaitlyn,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
Goodbye, any other stovetop mac and cheese!! My grocery store was out of cauliflower but they had orange cauliflower, which was perfect as it added to the orange color of mac and cheese! I was nervous there was too much liquid but fear not, once you add the cheese it was perfect! My husband is all about the crunchy topping so I toasted some corn flakes (leftover from the cajun popcorn chicken bites we made to go with the mac, also a winning HBH recipe) with butter in the oven and we sprinkled on top before serving, added the perfect crunch! I think next time I might add spinach or peas and ham to sneak even more veggies into this! Thanks for all your recipes!!
Hey Hannah,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
Great recipe! I used all cheddar, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly and it worked out perfectly.
Hey Dorothy,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was a hit! Even the picky 7 y/o ate it and didn’t even notice the cauliflower! I baked it with a topping of cheese and panko. It was very good but I do think I might add a tiny bit more cheese next time. It was very good but sometime when I make Mac and cheese I want it to be extra creamy and decadent. Came together in half the time as my old Mac and cheese recipe so you can’t beat that!
Hey Melissa,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
OMG this is delicious! I maybe added more cayenne and garlic used orecchiette and whatever yummy cheese in the fridge!! Thank you for inspiring me all the time❤️
Hey there,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
I made this for all of my roommates, and it was a big hit! Loved how easy it was and only having to wash one pot!
Hey Quinn,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Can I use frozen caulirice instead of fresh cauliflower?
Hey Samantha,
Yes, that should work just fine. I hope you love the recipe. Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made just a half recipe but this was delicious! I sadly didn’t have cream cheese but used a few chopped up cheese curds instead and that worked great! I also had leftover Buffalo chicken from your Buffalo chicken quesadillas so I threw that in and topped with a few diced cherry tomatoes. Sooo good! Thanks for the recipe
Hey Katrina,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
So delicious! I added a stock cube to the water to add a bit more flavour and it turned out amazing!
Hey Erin,
I am so glad that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xTieghan
This is delicious!!!! I added broccoli and chicken along with the cauliflower and it’s wonderful!!! Thanks for another great recipe!
Hey Candace,
I am so glad that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Delicious! I made this with coconut milk and lactose free cheese. Turned out so yummy and creamy. Hot tip: Taste before adding more salt, mine turned out a little too salty. Should have tasted it first! I appreciate that the recipe is simple and that a variety of spices could be added to change the flavour. Husband suggested we add curry favours next time.
Hey Anna,
I am so glad that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Made this recipe tonight. If you are craving that perfect cheesy gooey Mac and cheese. Make this. So delicious. So comforting. Big hit!
Hey Phanann,
I am so glad that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Hi my kids saw this recipe and said “please make this today!” Im curious my water doesnt cover my pasta/cauliflower? Do I need to add more water?
Hey Susan,
Nope, you can follow the recipe as I:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Great recipie! I used elbow macaroni and it worked well. I held back the cayenne pepper and just addded it individually to each serving.
Hey Jessica,
I am thrilled that you liked the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have an awesome week:) xTieghan