Who doesn't want So Cheesy and Extra Creamy Mac and Cheese at home? and when it's actually made with the Cauliflower in it, adding in more rich flavor and health benefits. Try this incredible mouthful with a lower amount of carbohydrates recipe and you're never gonna regret it!
Its color, flavor, and texture will make you a fan of it and it's totally a kids-friendly recipe. Kids would never get tired of having it consistently. It has a moderate spice level, extra cheese, and the most favorite ingredient PASTA!
Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This one-pot meal recipe contains very simple ingredients with surprisingly easy steps! Imagine having an amazing low-carb Mac and Cheese ready in only 5 minutes using an Instant Pot! Sounds worth trying, right?
The super fresh and yummy Cauliflower florets softened in pasta, which contains cream and cheese everywhere around is going to be everyone's favorite at your home!
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
Cauliflower - Use a medium-sized, fresh, and thoroughly washed Cauliflower.
Butter - Who doesn't love the gooey buttery texture in pasta? Adding butter works as oil to resist your pasta sticking to one another. Make sure your butter is at room temperature and should be unsalted too because we are already adding salt to the recipe.
Cream Cheese - This takes your dish to the next level, adding in a more intense cheesy flavor plus giving your pasta so light and creamy texture which everyone dies for!
Cheddar Cheese - Shred the Cheddar Cheese yourself and set it aside. Avoid using the ready bag of shredded cheese. It won't work as the freshly shredded cheese would do because of some kind of chemical in it resisting it from melting. The freshly shredded would melt perfectly during cooking.
Whole Wheat Pasta - Use any kind and any shape of pasta you love. I've used Whole Wheat Pasta in my recipe. Exchange it with Protein Plus Pasta if you're looking forward to a healthier recipe. Avoid using small shells sized pasta as they get boiled so quickly and can be ruined in these 4 minutes cook.
Evaporated Milk - It gives a silky-smooth and more creamy texture to your Mac and Cheese. You can also use whole milk instead of Evaporated Milk, goes perfectly fine with the recipe.
Spice - I'll be adding a small amount of Black Pepper and Garlic Powder in my recipe keeping it at a low spice level.
How to Make
Here is a step-by-step guide to this recipe for your ease!
Gather all the necessary ingredients as per the recipe card.
Take a Cauliflower. Split out its leave, dice the Cauliflower head into florets and set it aside.
Take an Instant Pot and pour 1 and ½ cups of Water into it. Then add diced Cauliflowers to it.
Add 16 oz of Pasta.
Add a teaspoon of salt to it.
Add a tablespoon of butter.
Cover the lid. Press 'Manual' and cook it at high pressure for 4 minutes.
After 4 minutes, give it a quick release. Then add 2 oz of cream cheese to it.
Pour 12 oz of milk into it.
Add 2 cups of shredded Cheddar Cheese to it.
Add ¼ teaspoon of Black Pepper to it.
Add ½ teaspoon of Garlic Powder to it.
Stir it until well combined then let it simmer for a while.
Dish out the yummy creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese and Serve hot!
How to serve?
This recipe is absolutely delicious on its own but if you actually want to top it something or want some side dish with it then have it with some sautéed sausages and grilled tomatoes. So Simple- So Delicious.
Or to keep it light, Serve it with some kind of light strawberry salad with ranch dressing.
Or for main course purposes, Serve it with some keto guacamole burger bites or Chicken Caesar Salad, Perfect for gatherings or dinner type of days! 🙂
FAQ
What else can I add to my recipe?
You can change or add other spices like onion powder, mustard powder, some flakes, hot sauce or grated carrots, or whatever you think would go perfect with your recipe. Or add more kinds of cheese to give this recipe a more good flavor like parmesan cheese, blue cheese, etc.
Can I store the leftover and reheat them? and How?
Yes, you can store the leftover by packing it in an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator. It will last up to 2-3 days in the fridge and for 3 months in the fridge. But I'm sure there will be no chance of any leftovers Your kids and family are going to eat it all! For reheating purposes, microwave it for 2 minutes or warm it in a pot on the stovetop by adding a little amount of milk to it.
Can I use another veggie instead of Cauliflower?
Of course, you can! If you're not a cauliflower fan, feel free to use any other kind of veggie instead of it.
My prime suggestion would be zucchini or broccoli. But that's true that you'll never be going to know that there is actually cauliflower in the recipe because it becomes so smooth and just melts in your mouth directly. I would suggest you give it a try once 🙂
If you don't want to use any veggies at all, you can always make this classic Mac and Cheese.
More Cauliflower Recipes
More Pasta Recipes
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower thickly diced
- 16 oz whole wheat pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cup water
Instructions
- Add water, cauliflower, pasta, salt, and butter to an instant pot.
- Mix them well. Close the lid of the instant pot.
- Set the instant pot to “Manual” at high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Give it a quick pressure release. Open the lid of the instant pot.
- Add in cream cheese, milk, cheddar cheese to it.
- Add garlic powder and black pepper. Stir well.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use fresh Cauliflower for Mac and Cheese.
- Avoid using gluten-free pasta in this recipe as it will break down during cooking.
- Stir the sauce continuously when cooking otherwise there could be a chance of it burning.
- You can add more cheese to this recipe if you prefer food with extra cheese.
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Corrie, the blogger behind Corrie Cooks. I run this blog with my wife since 2017, so you can enjoy quick, easy and delicious Instant Pot recipes. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Can you use frozen cauliflower ?
Yes, you can. It might be a little more watery, so maybe reduce the amount of water added by 1/2 cup or so.
Corrie,
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes. I’m going to try this recipe today. Just wanted to share something I’ve done with my mac & cheese: I add a little Smokey Gouda with the cheddar cheese. I love the smokey flavor on top of the richness of the cheese.
You're very welcome. And that sounds delicious, I'll have to try it! Thank you for sharing.
I made this recipe today, and my pasta didn’t get cooked all the way through. I notice that this recipe calls for only 1 1/2 c water, where your regular m&c recipe calls for 4 c. water. I’m thinking next time, I’ll use more water/ chicken broth for this recipe. P.s. the flavor is great, even if the pasta is a little chewy.