Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
- My Recipe Tips
- Storage & Meal Prep
- Serving Ideas
- More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
When I switched to a cleaner, lower carb way of eating over a decade ago, I really needed a healthier atlernative to macaroni and cheese, one of my favorite foods at the time. After tossing cheese sauce with a bunch of different vegetables, I settled on this cauliflower mac and cheese as the best one. It was long before anyone was talking about such things, but I’ve been hooked ever since. You get all the goodness of the classic in a lighter, real food package. Make this cheesy cauliflower with me to get the comfort and the veggies together!
Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe

- Creamy, cheesy mac & cheese vibes – Yes, I know it’s not actual pasta, but the flavor is the same, and it totally fulfills that comfort food craving. Picture tender, golden roasted cauliflower smothered in rich, creamy cheese sauce. You won’t even miss the noodles! (But if you do, just pour this same sauce over my keto pasta or baked spaghetti squash instead.)
- Quick and easy – This dish comes together super fast! I roast the cauliflower at a higher temperature than usual to make this healthy side dish in under half an hour.
- 6 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. No white flour or processed stuff you might find in boxed mixes.
- Gluten-free, keto, and family friendly – Of course you get plenty of veggies in cauliflower mac and cheese, but it’s also just 5 grams net carbs and gluten-free. My favorite part is that everyone I’ve served this to over the years has loved it, from adults to kids — so much so, that I included it my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook . (It’s also got 99 other recipes that let you enjoy the flavor of high-carb foods while sticking to your macros.)

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
For The Cauliflower:
If you’re unsure about mac n cheese with cauliflower (will it really satisfy that craving?), don’t be. The veggie tastes very neutral here because the sauce is so cheesy and rich! You’ll need:
- Cauliflower – Fresh cauliflower is ideal, but frozen works too—just roast it a bit longer. The amount of sauce in my recipe is for your average head of cauliflower (4 cups of florets), so if yours is very large or small, you might need to scale the sauce up or down a bit.
- Olive Oil – Or avocado oil. In an earlier version (including my YouTube video ), I used melted butter to keep it simple, since it’s already in the sauce below. But with the high roasting temp, I now recommend a heat-safe oil.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you want more flavor, or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a kick.
For The Cheese Sauce:
I love this sauce so much that I wrote a whole cheese sauce post on it! It’s perfect for keto cauliflower mac and cheese, and I also use it for topping roasted broccoli . You’ll need:
- Shredded Cheese – The base of the sauce, which also thickens it all by its lovely self. Sharp cheddar cheese is my fave, but mild cheddar works, too. You can swap it for any melty cheese , like Gruyere, Gouda, or Monterey jack.
- Heavy Cream – Makes it rich and creamy. Substituting any kind of milk (except full-fat canned coconut milk) will be thinner, so you’d need more cheese to compensate.
- Almond Milk – To thin out the sauce and balance the richness. I used store-bought , but you can easily make your own almond milk , or swap in coconut milk beverage for a nut-free option (the liquid kind from a carton, not the canned thick kind). You can also just water down more heavy cream, or use regular dairy milk if you don’t mind the extra carbs.
- Butter – Make sure it’s unsalted, or your cheesy cauliflower will be too salty. I like this grass-fed brand .

How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Cook The Cauliflower
You can use any method you like, but I highly recommend roasting! Sometimes I air fry the cauliflower for smaller batches. You can also steam the cauliflower for a quick option. To roast:
- Season the cauliflower. In a large bowl, toss the florets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast until golden. Spread the florets on a baking sheet ( I have this one in every size and love them). Roast in the oven until tender and browned on the edges.

Make The Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over low heat, stir together the cheese, cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, you can simply microwave the ingredients until the cheese melts, then stir until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.

Mix Together
Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl (you can even reuse the one from earlier!). Pour cheese sauce on top and mix to coat evenly. I like a little fresh cracked pepper over the cauliflower mac and cheese at the end.
My Recipe Tips
- Cut your cauliflower florets small. They roast faster that way, and you get smaller pieces in every bite, making the experience closer to regular mac and cheese. I aim for 1 inch pieces.
- Give the cauliflower enough space when roasting. You want each floret touching the pan to get those browned edges — and to make this process fast.
- Don’t use a whisk. The shredded cheese will clump and stick to the whisk as it melts. Using a spoon or spatula to stir the sauce works much better.
- Sauce too thick or too thin? It’s easy to adjust the consistency before mixing with the cauliflower. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools from piping hot to warm. But if you need to adjust, add more shredded cheese to make it thicker, or more almond milk or cream to thin it out. Easy!
- Fold in the sauce gently. The tender cauliflower can break apart if you’re too rough with it.
- Want an extra cheesy finish, crumb topping, or bacon? Just transfer your cauliflower mac and cheese to a baking dish at the end ( I use this one and it’s the perfect size). Sprinkle with more cheddar if you want a melty top, crushed pork rinds for a crumb topping, or crumbled oven baked bacon . Pop under the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown the top.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing cheesy cauliflower, as the texture of the sauce changes.
- Meal prep: Cut and roast the vegetables, make the cheese sauce, and store separately. When ready to serve, reheat the cauliflower and sauce (I often just use the microwave for lunch), then toss together.
- Reheat: Cauliflower mac and cheese is more mushy after reheating, but still so delicious! You can microwave it, or use your oven at 350 degrees F.

Serving Ideas
I’ve totally enjoyed a big bowl of this easy cauliflower mac and cheese all by itself! But it’s also super versatile with proteins for a more balanced meal:
- Comfort Food – Try my low carb chicken nuggets , keto fried chicken , bacon wrapped hot dogs , or a for all the nostalgic vibes. For a homestyle meal, go for slow cooker turkey breast or keto meatloaf . You can even spoon keto chili over the cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Chicken – My family’s faves are simple baked chicken legs , air fryer chicken quarters , and garlic butter chicken . You can also whip up some buffalo wings for game day!
- BBQ – You can’t go wrong with my juicy burger (or a lighter turkey burger ), quick air fryer brats , or saucy BBQ chicken legs . If you want to get fancy, grill a steak .
More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
If you like my cauliflower mac and cheese, you’ll probably also love my other comforting cauliflower recipes :
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 head Cauliflower (cut into small florets) ▢
- 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes , until crisp-tender.
- In a small saucepan over low heat (or a bowl in the microwave), heat the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
- When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower until coated evenly.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got notes to help you get the perfect cheese sauce consistency, options for toppings, and more.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
- Reheat: Microwave or heat in a 350-degree F oven.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |

Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |

Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (6 Ingredients)

Make my easy, cheesy cauliflower mac and cheese with 6 ingredients in just 25 minutes! It’s the ultimate healthy, low carb comfort food.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/cauliflower-mac-and-cheese-recipe-low-carb-keto-gluten-free/
Ingredients
- 1 head Cauliflower (cut into small florets)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes , until crisp-tender.
- In a small saucepan over low heat (or a bowl in the microwave), heat the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
- When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower until coated evenly.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got notes to help you get the perfect cheese sauce consistency, options for toppings, and more.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
- Reheat: Microwave or heat in a 350-degree F oven.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
- My Recipe Tips
- Storage & Meal Prep
- Serving Ideas
- More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
When I switched to a cleaner, lower carb way of eating over a decade ago, I really needed a healthier atlernative to macaroni and cheese, one of my favorite foods at the time. After tossing cheese sauce with a bunch of different vegetables, I settled on this cauliflower mac and cheese as the best one. It was long before anyone was talking about such things, but I’ve been hooked ever since. You get all the goodness of the classic in a lighter, real food package. Make this cheesy cauliflower with me to get the comfort and the veggies together!
Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe

- Creamy, cheesy mac & cheese vibes – Yes, I know it’s not actual pasta, but the flavor is the same, and it totally fulfills that comfort food craving. Picture tender, golden roasted cauliflower smothered in rich, creamy cheese sauce. You won’t even miss the noodles! (But if you do, just pour this same sauce over my keto pasta or baked spaghetti squash instead.)
- Quick and easy – This dish comes together super fast! I roast the cauliflower at a higher temperature than usual to make this healthy side dish in under half an hour.
- 6 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. No white flour or processed stuff you might find in boxed mixes.
- Gluten-free, keto, and family friendly – Of course you get plenty of veggies in cauliflower mac and cheese, but it’s also just 5 grams net carbs and gluten-free. My favorite part is that everyone I’ve served this to over the years has loved it, from adults to kids — so much so, that I included it my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook . (It’s also got 99 other recipes that let you enjoy the flavor of high-carb foods while sticking to your macros.)

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
For The Cauliflower:
If you’re unsure about mac n cheese with cauliflower (will it really satisfy that craving?), don’t be. The veggie tastes very neutral here because the sauce is so cheesy and rich! You’ll need:
- Cauliflower – Fresh cauliflower is ideal, but frozen works too—just roast it a bit longer. The amount of sauce in my recipe is for your average head of cauliflower (4 cups of florets), so if yours is very large or small, you might need to scale the sauce up or down a bit.
- Olive Oil – Or avocado oil. In an earlier version (including my YouTube video ), I used melted butter to keep it simple, since it’s already in the sauce below. But with the high roasting temp, I now recommend a heat-safe oil.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you want more flavor, or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a kick.
For The Cheese Sauce:
I love this sauce so much that I wrote a whole cheese sauce post on it! It’s perfect for keto cauliflower mac and cheese, and I also use it for topping roasted broccoli . You’ll need:
- Shredded Cheese – The base of the sauce, which also thickens it all by its lovely self. Sharp cheddar cheese is my fave, but mild cheddar works, too. You can swap it for any melty cheese , like Gruyere, Gouda, or Monterey jack.
- Heavy Cream – Makes it rich and creamy. Substituting any kind of milk (except full-fat canned coconut milk) will be thinner, so you’d need more cheese to compensate.
- Almond Milk – To thin out the sauce and balance the richness. I used store-bought , but you can easily make your own almond milk , or swap in coconut milk beverage for a nut-free option (the liquid kind from a carton, not the canned thick kind). You can also just water down more heavy cream, or use regular dairy milk if you don’t mind the extra carbs.
- Butter – Make sure it’s unsalted, or your cheesy cauliflower will be too salty. I like this grass-fed brand .

How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Cook The Cauliflower
You can use any method you like, but I highly recommend roasting! Sometimes I air fry the cauliflower for smaller batches. You can also steam the cauliflower for a quick option. To roast:
- Season the cauliflower. In a large bowl, toss the florets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast until golden. Spread the florets on a baking sheet ( I have this one in every size and love them). Roast in the oven until tender and browned on the edges.

Make The Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over low heat, stir together the cheese, cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, you can simply microwave the ingredients until the cheese melts, then stir until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.

Mix Together
Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl (you can even reuse the one from earlier!). Pour cheese sauce on top and mix to coat evenly. I like a little fresh cracked pepper over the cauliflower mac and cheese at the end.
My Recipe Tips
- Cut your cauliflower florets small. They roast faster that way, and you get smaller pieces in every bite, making the experience closer to regular mac and cheese. I aim for 1 inch pieces.
- Give the cauliflower enough space when roasting. You want each floret touching the pan to get those browned edges — and to make this process fast.
- Don’t use a whisk. The shredded cheese will clump and stick to the whisk as it melts. Using a spoon or spatula to stir the sauce works much better.
- Sauce too thick or too thin? It’s easy to adjust the consistency before mixing with the cauliflower. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools from piping hot to warm. But if you need to adjust, add more shredded cheese to make it thicker, or more almond milk or cream to thin it out. Easy!
- Fold in the sauce gently. The tender cauliflower can break apart if you’re too rough with it.
- Want an extra cheesy finish, crumb topping, or bacon? Just transfer your cauliflower mac and cheese to a baking dish at the end ( I use this one and it’s the perfect size). Sprinkle with more cheddar if you want a melty top, crushed pork rinds for a crumb topping, or crumbled oven baked bacon . Pop under the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown the top.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing cheesy cauliflower, as the texture of the sauce changes.
- Meal prep: Cut and roast the vegetables, make the cheese sauce, and store separately. When ready to serve, reheat the cauliflower and sauce (I often just use the microwave for lunch), then toss together.
- Reheat: Cauliflower mac and cheese is more mushy after reheating, but still so delicious! You can microwave it, or use your oven at 350 degrees F.

Serving Ideas
I’ve totally enjoyed a big bowl of this easy cauliflower mac and cheese all by itself! But it’s also super versatile with proteins for a more balanced meal:
- Comfort Food – Try my low carb chicken nuggets , keto fried chicken , bacon wrapped hot dogs , or a for all the nostalgic vibes. For a homestyle meal, go for slow cooker turkey breast or keto meatloaf . You can even spoon keto chili over the cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Chicken – My family’s faves are simple baked chicken legs , air fryer chicken quarters , and garlic butter chicken . You can also whip up some buffalo wings for game day!
- BBQ – You can’t go wrong with my juicy burger (or a lighter turkey burger ), quick air fryer brats , or saucy BBQ chicken legs . If you want to get fancy, grill a steak .
More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
If you like my cauliflower mac and cheese, you’ll probably also love my other comforting cauliflower recipes :
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 head Cauliflower (cut into small florets) ▢
- 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes , until crisp-tender.
- In a small saucepan over low heat (or a bowl in the microwave), heat the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
- When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower until coated evenly.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got notes to help you get the perfect cheese sauce consistency, options for toppings, and more.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
- Reheat: Microwave or heat in a 350-degree F oven.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
- My Recipe Tips
- Storage & Meal Prep
- Serving Ideas
- More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
When I switched to a cleaner, lower carb way of eating over a decade ago, I really needed a healthier atlernative to macaroni and cheese, one of my favorite foods at the time. After tossing cheese sauce with a bunch of different vegetables, I settled on this cauliflower mac and cheese as the best one. It was long before anyone was talking about such things, but I’ve been hooked ever since. You get all the goodness of the classic in a lighter, real food package. Make this cheesy cauliflower with me to get the comfort and the veggies together!
Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe

- Creamy, cheesy mac & cheese vibes – Yes, I know it’s not actual pasta, but the flavor is the same, and it totally fulfills that comfort food craving. Picture tender, golden roasted cauliflower smothered in rich, creamy cheese sauce. You won’t even miss the noodles! (But if you do, just pour this same sauce over my keto pasta or baked spaghetti squash instead.)
- Quick and easy – This dish comes together super fast! I roast the cauliflower at a higher temperature than usual to make this healthy side dish in under half an hour.
- 6 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. No white flour or processed stuff you might find in boxed mixes.
- Gluten-free, keto, and family friendly – Of course you get plenty of veggies in cauliflower mac and cheese, but it’s also just 5 grams net carbs and gluten-free. My favorite part is that everyone I’ve served this to over the years has loved it, from adults to kids — so much so, that I included it my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook . (It’s also got 99 other recipes that let you enjoy the flavor of high-carb foods while sticking to your macros.)

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
For The Cauliflower:
If you’re unsure about mac n cheese with cauliflower (will it really satisfy that craving?), don’t be. The veggie tastes very neutral here because the sauce is so cheesy and rich! You’ll need:
- Cauliflower – Fresh cauliflower is ideal, but frozen works too—just roast it a bit longer. The amount of sauce in my recipe is for your average head of cauliflower (4 cups of florets), so if yours is very large or small, you might need to scale the sauce up or down a bit.
- Olive Oil – Or avocado oil. In an earlier version (including my YouTube video ), I used melted butter to keep it simple, since it’s already in the sauce below. But with the high roasting temp, I now recommend a heat-safe oil.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you want more flavor, or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a kick.
For The Cheese Sauce:
I love this sauce so much that I wrote a whole cheese sauce post on it! It’s perfect for keto cauliflower mac and cheese, and I also use it for topping roasted broccoli . You’ll need:
- Shredded Cheese – The base of the sauce, which also thickens it all by its lovely self. Sharp cheddar cheese is my fave, but mild cheddar works, too. You can swap it for any melty cheese , like Gruyere, Gouda, or Monterey jack.
- Heavy Cream – Makes it rich and creamy. Substituting any kind of milk (except full-fat canned coconut milk) will be thinner, so you’d need more cheese to compensate.
- Almond Milk – To thin out the sauce and balance the richness. I used store-bought , but you can easily make your own almond milk , or swap in coconut milk beverage for a nut-free option (the liquid kind from a carton, not the canned thick kind). You can also just water down more heavy cream, or use regular dairy milk if you don’t mind the extra carbs.
- Butter – Make sure it’s unsalted, or your cheesy cauliflower will be too salty. I like this grass-fed brand .

How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Cook The Cauliflower
You can use any method you like, but I highly recommend roasting! Sometimes I air fry the cauliflower for smaller batches. You can also steam the cauliflower for a quick option. To roast:
- Season the cauliflower. In a large bowl, toss the florets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast until golden. Spread the florets on a baking sheet ( I have this one in every size and love them). Roast in the oven until tender and browned on the edges.

Make The Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over low heat, stir together the cheese, cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, you can simply microwave the ingredients until the cheese melts, then stir until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.

Mix Together
Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl (you can even reuse the one from earlier!). Pour cheese sauce on top and mix to coat evenly. I like a little fresh cracked pepper over the cauliflower mac and cheese at the end.
My Recipe Tips
- Cut your cauliflower florets small. They roast faster that way, and you get smaller pieces in every bite, making the experience closer to regular mac and cheese. I aim for 1 inch pieces.
- Give the cauliflower enough space when roasting. You want each floret touching the pan to get those browned edges — and to make this process fast.
- Don’t use a whisk. The shredded cheese will clump and stick to the whisk as it melts. Using a spoon or spatula to stir the sauce works much better.
- Sauce too thick or too thin? It’s easy to adjust the consistency before mixing with the cauliflower. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools from piping hot to warm. But if you need to adjust, add more shredded cheese to make it thicker, or more almond milk or cream to thin it out. Easy!
- Fold in the sauce gently. The tender cauliflower can break apart if you’re too rough with it.
- Want an extra cheesy finish, crumb topping, or bacon? Just transfer your cauliflower mac and cheese to a baking dish at the end ( I use this one and it’s the perfect size). Sprinkle with more cheddar if you want a melty top, crushed pork rinds for a crumb topping, or crumbled oven baked bacon . Pop under the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown the top.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing cheesy cauliflower, as the texture of the sauce changes.
- Meal prep: Cut and roast the vegetables, make the cheese sauce, and store separately. When ready to serve, reheat the cauliflower and sauce (I often just use the microwave for lunch), then toss together.
- Reheat: Cauliflower mac and cheese is more mushy after reheating, but still so delicious! You can microwave it, or use your oven at 350 degrees F.

Serving Ideas
I’ve totally enjoyed a big bowl of this easy cauliflower mac and cheese all by itself! But it’s also super versatile with proteins for a more balanced meal:
- Comfort Food – Try my low carb chicken nuggets , keto fried chicken , bacon wrapped hot dogs , or a for all the nostalgic vibes. For a homestyle meal, go for slow cooker turkey breast or keto meatloaf . You can even spoon keto chili over the cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Chicken – My family’s faves are simple baked chicken legs , air fryer chicken quarters , and garlic butter chicken . You can also whip up some buffalo wings for game day!
- BBQ – You can’t go wrong with my juicy burger (or a lighter turkey burger ), quick air fryer brats , or saucy BBQ chicken legs . If you want to get fancy, grill a steak .
More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
If you like my cauliflower mac and cheese, you’ll probably also love my other comforting cauliflower recipes :
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 head Cauliflower (cut into small florets) ▢
- 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes , until crisp-tender.
- In a small saucepan over low heat (or a bowl in the microwave), heat the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
- When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower until coated evenly.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got notes to help you get the perfect cheese sauce consistency, options for toppings, and more.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
- Reheat: Microwave or heat in a 350-degree F oven.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
- My Recipe Tips
- Storage & Meal Prep
- Serving Ideas
- More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
When I switched to a cleaner, lower carb way of eating over a decade ago, I really needed a healthier atlernative to macaroni and cheese, one of my favorite foods at the time. After tossing cheese sauce with a bunch of different vegetables, I settled on this cauliflower mac and cheese as the best one. It was long before anyone was talking about such things, but I’ve been hooked ever since. You get all the goodness of the classic in a lighter, real food package. Make this cheesy cauliflower with me to get the comfort and the veggies together!
Why You Need My Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Recipe

- Creamy, cheesy mac & cheese vibes – Yes, I know it’s not actual pasta, but the flavor is the same, and it totally fulfills that comfort food craving. Picture tender, golden roasted cauliflower smothered in rich, creamy cheese sauce. You won’t even miss the noodles! (But if you do, just pour this same sauce over my keto pasta or baked spaghetti squash instead.)
- Quick and easy – This dish comes together super fast! I roast the cauliflower at a higher temperature than usual to make this healthy side dish in under half an hour.
- 6 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. No white flour or processed stuff you might find in boxed mixes.
- Gluten-free, keto, and family friendly – Of course you get plenty of veggies in cauliflower mac and cheese, but it’s also just 5 grams net carbs and gluten-free. My favorite part is that everyone I’ve served this to over the years has loved it, from adults to kids — so much so, that I included it my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook . (It’s also got 99 other recipes that let you enjoy the flavor of high-carb foods while sticking to your macros.)

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
For The Cauliflower:
If you’re unsure about mac n cheese with cauliflower (will it really satisfy that craving?), don’t be. The veggie tastes very neutral here because the sauce is so cheesy and rich! You’ll need:
- Cauliflower – Fresh cauliflower is ideal, but frozen works too—just roast it a bit longer. The amount of sauce in my recipe is for your average head of cauliflower (4 cups of florets), so if yours is very large or small, you might need to scale the sauce up or down a bit.
- Olive Oil – Or avocado oil. In an earlier version (including my YouTube video ), I used melted butter to keep it simple, since it’s already in the sauce below. But with the high roasting temp, I now recommend a heat-safe oil.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you want more flavor, or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a kick.
For The Cheese Sauce:
I love this sauce so much that I wrote a whole cheese sauce post on it! It’s perfect for keto cauliflower mac and cheese, and I also use it for topping roasted broccoli . You’ll need:
- Shredded Cheese – The base of the sauce, which also thickens it all by its lovely self. Sharp cheddar cheese is my fave, but mild cheddar works, too. You can swap it for any melty cheese , like Gruyere, Gouda, or Monterey jack.
- Heavy Cream – Makes it rich and creamy. Substituting any kind of milk (except full-fat canned coconut milk) will be thinner, so you’d need more cheese to compensate.
- Almond Milk – To thin out the sauce and balance the richness. I used store-bought , but you can easily make your own almond milk , or swap in coconut milk beverage for a nut-free option (the liquid kind from a carton, not the canned thick kind). You can also just water down more heavy cream, or use regular dairy milk if you don’t mind the extra carbs.
- Butter – Make sure it’s unsalted, or your cheesy cauliflower will be too salty. I like this grass-fed brand .

How To Make Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Cook The Cauliflower
You can use any method you like, but I highly recommend roasting! Sometimes I air fry the cauliflower for smaller batches. You can also steam the cauliflower for a quick option. To roast:
- Season the cauliflower. In a large bowl, toss the florets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast until golden. Spread the florets on a baking sheet ( I have this one in every size and love them). Roast in the oven until tender and browned on the edges.

Make The Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over low heat, stir together the cheese, cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, you can simply microwave the ingredients until the cheese melts, then stir until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.

Mix Together
Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl (you can even reuse the one from earlier!). Pour cheese sauce on top and mix to coat evenly. I like a little fresh cracked pepper over the cauliflower mac and cheese at the end.
My Recipe Tips
- Cut your cauliflower florets small. They roast faster that way, and you get smaller pieces in every bite, making the experience closer to regular mac and cheese. I aim for 1 inch pieces.
- Give the cauliflower enough space when roasting. You want each floret touching the pan to get those browned edges — and to make this process fast.
- Don’t use a whisk. The shredded cheese will clump and stick to the whisk as it melts. Using a spoon or spatula to stir the sauce works much better.
- Sauce too thick or too thin? It’s easy to adjust the consistency before mixing with the cauliflower. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools from piping hot to warm. But if you need to adjust, add more shredded cheese to make it thicker, or more almond milk or cream to thin it out. Easy!
- Fold in the sauce gently. The tender cauliflower can break apart if you’re too rough with it.
- Want an extra cheesy finish, crumb topping, or bacon? Just transfer your cauliflower mac and cheese to a baking dish at the end ( I use this one and it’s the perfect size). Sprinkle with more cheddar if you want a melty top, crushed pork rinds for a crumb topping, or crumbled oven baked bacon . Pop under the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown the top.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing cheesy cauliflower, as the texture of the sauce changes.
- Meal prep: Cut and roast the vegetables, make the cheese sauce, and store separately. When ready to serve, reheat the cauliflower and sauce (I often just use the microwave for lunch), then toss together.
- Reheat: Cauliflower mac and cheese is more mushy after reheating, but still so delicious! You can microwave it, or use your oven at 350 degrees F.

Serving Ideas
I’ve totally enjoyed a big bowl of this easy cauliflower mac and cheese all by itself! But it’s also super versatile with proteins for a more balanced meal:
- Comfort Food – Try my low carb chicken nuggets , keto fried chicken , bacon wrapped hot dogs , or a for all the nostalgic vibes. For a homestyle meal, go for slow cooker turkey breast or keto meatloaf . You can even spoon keto chili over the cauliflower mac and cheese.
- Chicken – My family’s faves are simple baked chicken legs , air fryer chicken quarters , and garlic butter chicken . You can also whip up some buffalo wings for game day!
- BBQ – You can’t go wrong with my juicy burger (or a lighter turkey burger ), quick air fryer brats , or saucy BBQ chicken legs . If you want to get fancy, grill a steak .
More Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
If you like my cauliflower mac and cheese, you’ll probably also love my other comforting cauliflower recipes :
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 head Cauliflower (cut into small florets) ▢
- 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes , until crisp-tender.
- In a small saucepan over low heat (or a bowl in the microwave), heat the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and butter, stirring frequently, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
- When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and gently fold the sauce into the cauliflower until coated evenly.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got notes to help you get the perfect cheese sauce consistency, options for toppings, and more.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
- Reheat: Microwave or heat in a 350-degree F oven.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
