Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with roasted cauliflower and a crunchy cereal topping. It’s the ultimate low-carb comfort food, ready in about an hour and a half.
Pioneer Woman Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- 2 lb. cauliflower florets, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 (10.5-oz.) cans gluten-free condensed cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 2 cups)
- 4 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/4 cups lightly crushed gluten-free rice or corn cereal (such as Chex)
- 4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Prep Oven and Roast Vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400°F. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, combine the cauliflower florets and the diced onion. Drizzle generously with olive oil, season to taste with salt and pepper, and toss well to coat. Roast for about 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the cauliflower is just beginning to turn golden but still has a bite.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: While the vegetables roast, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir together the condensed cream of chicken soup, both kinds of cheddar cheese, the sour cream, and the heavy cream.
- Combine and First Bake: When the cauliflower mixture is ready, add it to the bowl with the cheese sauce and gently stir to thoroughly combine. Transfer this mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Make Topping and Finish Baking: While the casserole bakes, stir together the crushed cereal and the melted butter in a small bowl. After the 45-minute bake time, remove the dish from the oven, take off the foil, and stir the cauliflower mixture. Evenly sprinkle the buttered cereal mixture over the top.
- Serve: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if you like.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most flavor? The most important step is to roast the cauliflower and onions first. This develops a deep, sweet, caramelized flavor that you wouldn’t get from just adding them raw, and it helps to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
- How to get a crispy topping? Tossing the crushed cereal with melted butter is the secret to a perfectly golden, crunchy topping that doesn’t burn. The final 15-20 minute bake without the foil is also essential to crisp it up.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can fully assemble the casserole (without the topping), cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day. When ready to bake, add the topping and you may need to add 15-20 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
- What’s the best cheese to use? A combination of sharp and extra-sharp cheddar provides a great, tangy flavor. For the best, smoothest melt, always shred your own cheese from a block.
What To Serve With Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
This is a rich and hearty side dish that is a staple at holiday meals and potlucks. It pairs perfectly with:
- A Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
- Glazed Holiday Ham
- A simple Roasted Chicken
- Pan-seared Pork Chops
How To Store Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Refrigerate: Cover leftovers tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat the casserole, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through. This will help re-crisp the topping slightly.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Sodium: 1250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is this recipe low-carb or keto-friendly?
This is a fantastic low-carb alternative to traditional mac and cheese because it uses cauliflower instead of pasta. While the cereal topping adds some carbs, you can reduce them by using crushed pork rinds instead.
Why is my casserole watery?
A watery casserole is usually because the vegetables were not cooked before being added to the sauce. Roasting the cauliflower first is a crucial step that cooks out a significant amount of its excess moisture.
Can I use a different topping?
Yes. If you don’t need the topping to be gluten-free, buttered panko or regular breadcrumbs would be a delicious and classic substitute for the crushed cereal.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese with Ham Recipe
Pioneer Woman Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
A creamy, cheesy, and comforting casserole that uses roasted cauliflower instead of pasta for a perfect low-carb side dish, all finished with a crunchy cereal topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Roast the cauliflower and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper for about 15 minutes until just tender.
- Reduce oven heat to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the soup, both cheddars, sour cream, and heavy cream.
- Stir the roasted vegetables into the cheese mixture. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toss the crushed cereal with the melted butter.
- Uncover the casserole, stir it, and sprinkle the cereal topping over the top.
- Bake, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is to roast the cauliflower before adding it to the casserole; this is the secret to a flavorful and non-watery result.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the creamiest, smoothest sauce, always shred your own cheese from a block instead of using the pre-shredded kind.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe two-stage baking process—first covered to cook through, then uncovered to brown the top—is key to the perfect texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a perfect make-ahead dish. Just assemble the casserole base, refrigerate, and then add the fresh topping right before you bake it.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
