Spicy Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese Casserole
This Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Casserole recipe is a mock macaroni and cheese recipe made with fresh steamed cauliflower instead of pasta. It is a low carb and healthier macaroni and cheese option.
Is this cauliflower mac and cheese with no pasta really a macaroni and cheese recipe? No, of course not. But if you love cauliflower recipes, are on a low carb diet, keto diet or are avoiding pasta for dietary reasons it is a good substitution.
It does have 2 tablespoons of flour in it so if you are eating gluten free you will have to use a gluten free flour substitute. I have never tried using another thickener to make this homemade cheese sauce recipe so I have no idea if that will work. If you try it please let me know how it turned out.
Low Carb Pasta Substitutes
If you are on a low carb diet than you know one of the things you miss the most while low carbing is macaroni and cheese or pasta recipes.
Substituting cauliflower for pasta kind of gives you the same texture and can satisfy some of those pasta cravings.
This spicy and cheesy cauliflower casserole bake recipe does not have cream cheese or sour cream in it. I made the cheese sauce using my favorite homemade white sauce recipe that starts out with a roux.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Sauce recipe
This basic homemade white sauce recipe can be used to make so many different recipes once you master the art of making it. It is not hard to make but you can't rush the technique or you will end up with a pot full of scalded and curdled milk. Once the milk has scalded and burnt to the bottom of the pot there is no fixing it and you will have to start over.
This Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Casserole gets the spicy flavor from roasted peppers. onion and garlic. The roasted vegetables add a deliciously spicy flavor you won't get if you just chop the vegetables.
It would probably still taste very good with the chopped vegetables but I love the flavor roasted vegetables can add to a recipe. You could even go as far as roasting the cauliflower if you like.
I've used Montery Jack cheese as the main cheese for this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe and topped it of with a a layer of more Montery Jack cheese with some shaved Parmesan cheese. You could use sharp white cheddar instead.
How to make Spicy Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese Casserole recipe
- 1 head of cauliflower, steamed and cut into florets (or 4 cups frozen and thawed cauliflower florets) I used my (affiliate link) Instant Pot to steam the cauliflower.
- 1 roasted poblano pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 large roasted jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 medium roasted onion, chopped
- 5 cloves of garlic, roasted and chopped
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese or Sharp White Cheddar
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Roast the vegetables following the instructions here. Place the hot roasted peppers into a container with a lid and allow to cool. Once cool remove skin from the peppers and chop. Chop the onion and garlic. Set the chopped vegetables aside while making the cheese sauce.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan on medium heat. Add the flour, salt, pepper and paprika to the melted butter and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly pour half the milk into the pot whisking continuously until all lumps are gone. Add the remaining milk and bring the sauce to a boil whisking the entire time.
- Once the milk comes to a boil it will begin to thicken. Continue boiling on medium high heat for about 8 minutes whisking the entire time to prevent scalding. Remove the pot from the heat and stir 2 cups of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Sharp White Cheddar) into the hot milk mixture. Once the cheese has melted set the pot aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. degrees.
- Mix the cauliflower and roasted chopped vegetables together in a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce into the bowl and gently fold until combined.
- Pour the cauliflower mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterrey Jack cheese over the top. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and it is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately.
- Makes 6 servings.
Print the Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe below.
Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (steamed and cut into florets (or 4 cups frozen and thawed cauliflower florets) I used my (affiliate link) Instant Pot to steam the cauliflower.)
- 1 roasted poblano pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 large roasted jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 medium roasted onion (chopped)
- 5 cloves garlic (roasted and chopped)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese or Sharp White Cheddar
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Roast the vegetables. Place the hot roasted peppers into a container with a lid and allow to cool. Once cool remove skin from the peppers and chop. Chop the onion and garlic. Set the chopped vegetables aside while making the cheese sauce.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan on medium heat. Add the flour, salt, pepper and paprika to the melted butter and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly pour half the milk into the pot whisking continuously until all lumps are gone. Add the remaining milk and bring the sauce to a boil whisking the entire time.
- Once the milk comes to a boil it will begin to thicken. Continue boiling on medium high heat for about 8 minutes whisking the entire time to prevent scalding. Remove the pot from the heat and stir 2 cups of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Sharp White Cheddar) into the hot milk mixture. Once the cheese has melted set the pot aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. degrees.
- Mix the cauliflower and roasted chopped vegetables together in a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce into the bowl and gently fold until combined.
- Pour the cauliflower mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterrey Jack cheese over the top. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and it is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Susan
What a great idea! I've been swapping spaghetti squash and zoodles in a lot of recipes, but hadn't though of this. Definitely going to try this one.
Arlene Mobley
Susan
It is delicious. I love swapping out cauliflower for pasta. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Such a nice twist on a great comfort food. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Veena Azmanov
This is such an awesome twist on a classic recipe Arlene. I love Cauliflower. One of the few veggies my kids eat. I can't wait to try this version. Yum...
Arlene Mobley
Thanks Veena you can make so many kinds of recipes with cauliflower!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
This is a great spin on a true classic. Perfect way to enjoy cauliflower....and I think even cauliflower haters would have a hard time not eating this delicious version.
Arlene Mobley
Cauliflower haters should really try this recipe. They will be amazed!
Tally Academy online
Look so really delicious! I love this!