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Cauliflower is the latest popular food item to help replace carbohydrates in recipes. Emilee's Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe below is inspired by a similar one she saw on the popular website Damn Delicious. A few tweaks made this recipe an even healthier option for those following the Weight Watchers program. Check it out and let us know what you think!
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This cauliflower mac and cheese recipe does actually contain pasta, unlike some cauliflower recipes that are being used for lower carb diets. So, while this one is not keto friendly, it is still a healthier option. It has all of the flavors you want in a macaroni and cheese recipe, but tons more fiber and lower carbs. That is a plus in our house any day! Emilee made this for her family and even the kids enjoyed this dish!
We added a twist to the original recipe by roasting our cauliflower first for a depth of flavor. Additionally, instead of a traditional roux, we simply created a cheese sauce in the pan with the pasta. This is fast, easy, and still has a great flavor.
Ingredients for Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe:
8 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni (uncooked)
3 cups cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon margarine
1 cup fat-freehalf and half
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ cup 2% sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ - ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Chives, for garnish
Nonstick spray
Directions for Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Spray or line a baking sheet with a silicone mat and spread cauliflower pieces over in an even layer.
Bake cauliflower for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees or until beginning to tenderize and turn slightly brown around edges.
Remove from heat and set aside.
While the cauliflower is roasting, cook pasta according to package directions in a large stockpot, rinse, and drain.
Once pasta is finished cooking, return to the stockpot and place on low heat.
Pour in half and half, margarine, mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cheese. Stir continuously until cheese is melted and the pasta is coated well.
Add roasted cauliflower to pasta mixture and stir well to coat.
Optional: Pour into a pre-sprayed casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs or a bit of cheese and bake for 10 minutes at 400 to brown top.
Top with chives before serving
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Makes 8 Servings 1 cup per serving 7 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale, FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans 6 PointsPlus per serving
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 3 cups cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1 cup fat-free half and half
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ cup 2% sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
- Chives, for garnish
- Nonstick spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Spray or line a baking sheet with a silicone mat and spread cauliflower pieces over in an even layer.
- Bake cauliflower for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees or until beginning to tenderize and turn slightly brown around edges.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, cook pasta according to package directions in a large stockpot, rinse, and drain.
- Once pasta is finished cooking, return to the stockpot and place on low heat.
- Pour in half and half, margarine, mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cheese. Stir continuously until cheese is melted and the pasta is coated well.
- Add roasted cauliflower to pasta mixture and stir well to coat.
- Optional: Pour into a pre-sprayed casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs or a bit of cheese and bake for 10 minutes at 400 to brown top.
- Top with chives before serving
Makes 8 Servings
1 cup per serving
7 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale, FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans
6 PointsPlus per serving
If you are planning to grill up some chicken or fish this week, then add a side of our delicious Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe to the menu! For only 7 SmartPoints for 1 cup, it is a great addition that includes your veggies alongside a zero point meat like our Broiled Salmon with Dill and Capers recipe. It is also an excellent choice to help get more vegetables into your diet if your kids are picky eaters!
If you are looking for more great recipes, don't forget to join our Weight Watchers Support Group on Facebook!
More Weight Watchers Recipes:
- Old Fashioned Potato Salad
- Weight Watchers Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Chickpea Vegan Curry Recipe
- Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Best Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Healthy Biscuit Recipe Using Greek Yogurt
