A healthy twist on an old family favourite. This Cauliflower Mac & Cheese is packed with hidden veggies that the kids can’t see or taste!
Macaroni Cheese is definitely up there in my top “go-to” family dinners. My kids and my husband love it.
It’s easy to make and I nearly always have the ingredients in my store cupboard and fridge.
With summer coming to an end here in the UK, I know mac & cheese is going to be back on our menu a lot over the next few months.
And so I decided to update my classic recipe with this healthier veggie-packed version!
My kids are not fans of cauliflower and it can be tricky even getting them to try Cauliflower Cheese.
I decided instead to make a cheesy sauce using cauliflower which I could then bake in the oven with macaroni.
The cooked cauliflower is blitzed in a blender with milk, cheese and butter, creating a delicious thick and creamy sauce. The kids absolutely loved it and they had no idea of my secret hidden vegetable ingredient!
I used panko breadcrumbs to top my Mac & Cheese as they make an extra-crunchy topping but, either fresh or dried normal breadcrumbs work well too.
This is definitely my new favourite way to make Mac & Cheese for my family and it will make the perfect comfort food during the cold winter months!
If you try this recipe yourself please do let me know what you think in the comment below.
Or tag me in a picture on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #myfussyeater. I love seeing all your pictures!
And if you’d like another Mac & Cheese recipe then check out my Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese UK
Or you may also like my One Pot Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta.
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Main Meal
Method: Baked
Cuisine: European- Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
A healthy twist on an old family favourite. This Cauliflower Mac & Cheese is packed with hidden veggies that the kids can’t see or taste!
Ingredients
- 350g / 10oz macaroni pasta
- 1 medium cauliflower
- 1 low sodium vegetable stock cube
- 200ml / ¾ cup milk
- 100g / 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp dijon mustand
- salt and pepper to taste
- To Top:
- 25g / ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
- 15g / ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200c / 400f.
- Cook the macaroni in a pan of boiling water according to the package instructions.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets. Place in a saucepan with the stock cube. Cover with boiling water and cook for 5-6 minutes until the cauliflower has softened.
- Once the cauliflower has cooked, drain it and add to a blender, along with the milk, grated cheese, butter and dijon mustard. Blitz until all the ingredients have combined to a sauce consistency. If it seems too thick then add a little extra milk. Season with salt and pepper if you wish.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the saucepan. Add in the cauliflower sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the pasta into one large or several small baking dishes. Sprinkle the extra cheese and panko breadcrumbs on top and finally finish with a whole cherry tomato.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is crispy.
- Allow to cool a little and then serve.
Sally says
Great recipe for a quick dinner. I altered the recipe to my style. Went something like this
– Throw cumin seeds into frypan
– add
— oil and fry until cumin is fragrant (high heat)
— diced onion and fry until golden
— crushed garlic and chilli and quickly sautee (medium heat)
— cauliflower rice, and heat through for 5-6 minutes.
– boil water, add stock, stir and add to cauliflower (absorbs quickly)
– add salt (as required) and stir
– heat cauliflower through well (another 10-15 minutes, dependant on quantity)
– mix milk, Dijon and cheese in a jug and add to pan (personallu like more dijon)
– cover with breadcrumbs and cheese and throw in oven for 20-25 mins.
We enjoyed it as a meatless dinner and added a poached egg for protein.
Thanks for the inspiration. Will definitely cook again.
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Vicky says
Thank you! great how you adapted the recipe to suit you. Enjoy.
Emma Duke says
Love,Love,Love!!!! simple to make and delicious. Thank you for this recipe idea.
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Jess says
Does the mac freeze?
Vicky says
Hi Jess, We have never tried to freeze this recipe as normally best served straight from the oven, but cant see any reason it wouldn’t freeze perfectly well.
Chrissy says
Made this for our fussy eater and she devoured her whole plate. Plus hubby and sister loved it too. Thank you! So easy to make too. Will definitely putting it in the recipe book
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Vicky says
Amazing to hear your whole family loved this recipe, please feel free to share your creations with us on Facebook and Instagram, we love seeing them.
Rebecca Irvine says
Lovely recipe! My little one ate it no problem, success! Thank you for the recipe, awesome way to make a sauce and hiding veg at the same time xx
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Adam says
My family ate this right up, even after they found out it contained cauliflower. I used red lentil rotini for added vegetables and protein. Thanks for the recipe!
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Catherine says
My fussy 6 year old son loved this! Will be making again. Thank you for a fantastic recipie thats so easy to cook!
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Jodie says
My 10,9 and 2 year olds smashed this cauli mac n cheese tonight! They loved it. It’s definitely going into the regular rotation.
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pancake says
I cooked this macaroni today. After a taste test I know my 5 year old is going to love this. She is very preferential when it comes to taste and textures so this recipe was a blessing for me.
The video is clear and concise. Thank you so much.
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Arlene says
Love love these. My son was sick as a baby after numerous surgeries he had a to a gtube and refused to eat now after his latest surgery. Gtub is out! He loves food now and however he is 10 but is 3 mentally. He is eating at a toddler stage. Comfort food. Thank you for this variety. I am enjoying reading these can’t wait to try! I am at a loss because he stuck on the stuff he is eating now so variety is the spice of life!
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Sonali says
This is a lifesaver dish for my family. I made it for first for my daughter’s birthday and it was polished off by the kids very quickly. Since then it has been a firm favourite.
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Michelle says
My 13 month old loved it! How long can it last in the fridge? Also, can I freeze it and if so how long can I keep it in the freezer?
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Ciara Attwell says
It will last 48 hours covered in the fridge and yes you can freeze it too. I would keep it max 3 months in the freezer.
Indy says
Fantastic! Was so pleased with this as the kids loved it and ate the lot and had absolutely no idea there was cauliflower that they usually hate in there! Love the little dishes you serve yours in. xxx
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Lilly says
Another hit recipe thanks Ciara!
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Lisa says
Love this recipe. So tasty. And kids did not suspect a thing! More hidden veg recipes please x
Sheena says
Trying this tonight! Fingers crossed…
ela says
kid loved it!
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Diana says
Absolutely loved this recipe! So easy and sooooo tasty! My daughter had no clue bout the secret ingredient 😉
Ciara Attwell says
That’s brilliant!
Gia says
This came out great! I changed it up, as I like stovetop mac. So I used a can of evaporated milk & eggs instead of regular milk (Alton Brown style). And added more cheese. Kids loved it!
Jan says
Can this be frozen?
Ciara Attwell says
Yes the sauce will freeze well on its own.
Jessica says
That looks delicious!!
Ciara Attwell says
Thank you 🙂
Michelle @ Modern Acupuncture says
Love this! Can’t wait to try it. I’m always trying to add more veggies to my meals. Love your photos as well! Somehow you made mac n cheese pretty! 🙂
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed says
Mmmmmm!!! These look gorgeous, I love the look of that topping 🙂
Ciara Attwell says
Thank you! Panko breadcrumbs makes the best mac and cheese topping!
Michelle says
This looks delicious, and the dishes are adorable! I pinned it to save for later. Thanks for sharing!
Ciara Attwell says
Thanks Michelle!
Louisa says
Macaroni cheese is a big hit in our house and I love the idea of adding cauliflower to the sauce, although I’m not convinced that my kids (or husband) won’t suss me out if I try this! I love your mini casserole dishes ????
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Ciara Attwell says
Honestly, my lot had NO idea what the secret ingredient was. And they can usually smell a vegetable from a mile away!!!