Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe with Bacon & Jalapeños

We’ve been trying out a few lower-carb and ketogenic recipes over the past few weeks. Our favorite has been this loaded cauliflower mac and cheese recipe! It’s such a creamy comfort food that is light enough to enjoy year round!

To be honest, we really fought trying cauliflower mac and cheese because we had tried mashed cauliflower before and hated it! We even made a keto mac and cheese with shirataki noodles to avoid the vegetable!

With that said, our loaded cauliflower macaroni and cheese isn’t what your typical momma makes. It’s loaded with bacon and jalapeños for a little bite! Of course – you can always swap the jalapeños for sliced green onion if you prefer something without the heat!

Can you have cauliflower on keto?

Yes, cauliflower is one of the most keto-friendly veggies. 

Cauliflower is low in carbs and can be used in a ton of different ways (pasta, rice, or mashed). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Laboratory, a cup of raw or cooked cauliflower has about 5 grams of carbs and 2 carbs are from fiber.

Love this veggie? Check out our Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice

What are the macros for cauliflower mac and cheese?

We calculated the macros for this cauliflower mac and cheese below, but it’s only a guesstimate. A tool like MyFitnessPal or CarbManager can help you calculate your exact portions and macros based on the brands you buy.

On Keto? You may also like our Ultimate Keto Starbucks Drink List

A Note About Our Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Recipe

There are lower carb options out there, but we really wanted to find something that could be worked into a low carb or keto diet without feeling like it. We took this as a side dish for a family birthday party, and everyone loved it! And those family members don’t diet at all!

If you’re looking for a keto mac and cheese, check out the recipe shown above using shirataki noodles.

How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe with Bacon & Jalapeños

This recipe makes about 8 servings and takes 15 minutes to prep. You’ll cook it for about 30 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender and cheesy!

What You’ll Need For This Recipe:

• frozen cauliflower
• butter
• garlic, minced
• all-purpose flour (just 3 Tbsp or swap for almond flour)
• whole milk
• cream cheese
• shredded cheddar cheese
• bacon
• jalapeños 
• salt
• pepper

How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and cook your bacon through while oven preheats…I use the microwave to for my bacon.

2. Boil a pot of water and put in the frozen cauliflower. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, drain cauliflower and place on a towel to dry.

3. Start making your keto mac and cheese sauce. In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter then add in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Then add in  your flour and stir until it’s golden (about 2 minutes). Add in your milk and bring to a low simmer. Add in your cream cheese and whisk until it’s combined.

5. Then remove it from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

6. In an 8×8 dish, add your drained cauliflower then pour on the sauce. Stir until it’s mixed through. Then stir in with bacon and jalapeños until combined. Then top with the remaining cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeños.
7. Bake until cauliflower is tender and cheese is melty – about 30 minutes.

You May Also Like These Keto Recipes

• Make Ahead Bacon Egg Cups
• ​Quick ​Single Serving Keto Cheesecake
• Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot Recipe

Want more tips & recipes?? Grab our Keto Quick Start Guide for Beginners!

You can also use this recipe card to help you create your own cauliflower mac and cheese for your next party or as a side dish for dinner!

Continue to Content

Yield: 8

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe with Bacon & Jalapeños

Print

This loaded cauliflower mac and cheese recipe will be a keto-friendly crowd pleaser! Originally, we tried sliced green onions in it, but adding the jalapeños gives it a really great spice!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 30 oz bag of frozen cauliflower
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 pack bacon
• 1/4 cup jalapeños
• kosher salt
• black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and cook your bacon through.
2. Boil a pot of water and put in the frozen cauliflower. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, drain cauliflower and place on a towel to dry.
3. Start making your sauce. In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter then add in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Then add in your flour and stir until it's golden (about 2 minutes).
5. Add in your milk and bring to a low simmer. Add in your cream cheese and whisk until it's combined.
6. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
7. In an 8x8 dish, add your drained cauliflower then pour on the mac and cheese sauce. Stir until it's mixed through. Then stir in with bacon and jalapeños until combined. Then top with the remaining cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeños.
8. Bake until cauliflower is tender and cheese is melty - about 30 minutes.

Notes

Feel free to substitute the jalapeños for sliced green onions to make it less spicy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

257 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 436Total Fat: 31.6gSaturated Fat: 15.5gTrans Fat: 0.3gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 1002mgCarbohydrates: 12.9gNet Carbohydrates: 9.23gFiber: 3.7gSugar: 6.3gProtein: 25.4g

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