This Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and swaps cauliflower for the traditional pasta. If you are looking for a grain-free or veggie-forward take on macaroni and cheese, I know you’ll love this recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

I will be the first person to tell you that there is nothing like real deal macaroni and cheese, but if you want all the cheesy goodness in a more veggie-focused package then you’re going to love this recipe.

Instead of a making a cheese sauce, all you need for this dish is shredded cheese and just five more ingredients to whip up this simple recipe. Another great thing about this cauliflower version of macaroni and cheese is that it makes a smaller batch. This recipe gives you just the right amount for two people, plus a little leftover.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Ingredients

Cauliflower: the obvious ingredient! All you need is one head of cauliflower cut into small to medium florets.

Cheese: for the ultimate flavor and color, this recipe uses a combination of both sharp white and gooey mozzarella. If you don’t love sharp cheddar, feel free to use mild instead. For the best results, I recommend shredding your cheese by hand to ensure that it melts well.

Egg: you’ll need one egg to help bind everything together.

Sour Cream: this helps to give the mac and cheese a creamy texture and adds a little tang.

Green onion: it might not be typical in traditional macaroni and cheese, but the green onion in this dish really takes it to another notch and adds so much flavor. Don’t skip it!

Ingredient Substitutions

Cheese – you can really use whatever cheese you prefer in this recipe. The one caveat is that you want to choose a cheese that melts well for that delicious gooey cheesy texture. Some of my favorites are cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and Monterrey jack cheeses.
Sour Cream – swap the sour cream for full fat Greek yogurt if you prefer.

How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Step One: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step Two: Add the cauliflower and salt to a large pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a bowl and cook the cauliflower until tender, around 8-10 minutes.

Step Three: When the cauliflower is tender, transfer it to a colander and let it drain for 5-10 minutes. Then, add it to a large mixing bowl.

Step Four: Add 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, sour cream, egg, green onion, garlic powder, and black pepper to the mixing bowl. Stir until the cauliflower mixture is well combined.

Step Five: Transfer the cauliflower mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake the mac and cheese at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until it becomes golden brown and bubbly.

Step Six: Allow the mac and cheese to sit and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks for Making This Recipe

Be sure to let your cauliflower cook until fork tender before removing it from the water.
Drain the cauliflower well to ensure that you’re not adding extra water to the dish.
Let the mac and cheese sit and cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. Because this recipe is using cauliflower instead of pasta, expect there to be a little liquid when you scoop into the casserole. Allowing the mac and cheese to sit and cool, helps to let the dish set so there’s not too much extra liquid.

How to Store and Reheat

Store: Wrap the casserole dish tightly with food safe wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the fridge for three to four days. You can also transfer the mac and cheese to an air-tight container to store.

Reheat: The easiest way to reheat this dish is in the microwave. Lightly cover the mac and cheese with a wet paper towel and microwave on high for thirty seconds to one minute at a time until warmed through.

More Thanksgiving Recipes to Serve

Here are few more of our reader favorite Thanksgiving recipes to add your menu this holiday season:

Get all of our best Thanksgiving recipes, here!

I hope you love this dish as much as we do! It is our favorite recipe to whip up when we’re craving some cheesy goodness! If you make it, can you do me a favor? Snap a picture and tag me on social media so that I can see and share! I love seeing what y’all are creating in your kitchens!