Looking for the best Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese? This is it! This is cheesy comfort food at its best. With cream cheese, extra-sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and a punch of flavor from the spices, you won't miss the carbs.

Overhead photo of a white casserole dish with keto cauliflower mac and cheese in it.

Some of my earliest culinary adventures involved creating what my kids have dubbed "Mom's World Famous Mac and Cheese."

While cauliflower will never exactly make up for pasta, this Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the best way I know to enjoy all the cheesy goodness, sans the carbs. (And bonus - it is gluten-free.)

Give it a try, and it just may become your favorite cauliflower recipe.

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Ingredient Notes

You can grab pre-cut cauliflower to save time, or chop a whole head yourself.
For the sauce, heavy cream keeps it rich and keto-friendly, but if you’re just aiming for low carb, half-and-half works too.
I love using a mix of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and smoked gouda for depth and that ultra-creamy texture. Parmesan or mozzarella are easy swaps if that’s what you have.

Make it a Meal

I love this served with a simple steak using this Steak Marinade, or with Grilled or Air Fried Chicken. A simple Caesar Salad is a great side.

Tips & Tricks

This recipe tastes best with good quality fresh grated cheese. The quality of cheese that you use will significantly impact the overall flavor of your low-carb mac and cheese.
Make sure your heat isn't too high before adding in the cheese. Too much heat can cause the fat to separate from the cheese and cause the sauce to be clumpy and stringy. Go for medium-low or low.

Step by Step

See below for the full recipe with measurements.

First, start by cutting a head of cauliflower into florets. Save time, by buying it pre-cut. Arrange on a prepared sheet pan and drizzle with oil. Roast until tender.

Overhead photo of roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet.

Overhead photo of heavy cream and cream cheese in a pot.

Creamy sauce with cheese being added in a pot.

Next, while the cauliflower is baking, bring the cream to a simmer in a large pot. Add the cream cheese and cook until it melts.

Reduce the heat and stir in half of the cheddar cheese and all of the Gouda.

Pepper, ground mustard, garlic powder, and salt in a small white dish.

Seasonings being added to a creamy cheese sauce.

Whisk until smooth, and then sprinkle in the seasonings. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Add the cauliflower to the pan and toss to coat.

Cauliflower being stirred into a saucepan filled with a creamy cheese sauce.

Overhead photo of a white casserole dish with keto cauliflower mac and cheese ready to go into the oven.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake.

Garnish with parsley before serving if desired.

Photo of a serving spoon of Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese being lifted from a casserole dish with a cheese pull garnished with parsley and bacon.

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Square overhead photo of a white casserole dish of Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

When you are craving comfort food, this cauliflower recipe is perfect. This is a rich and decadent recipe that never gets old.

Prep Time15

Cook Time38

Total Time53

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: cheesy

Servings:

Calories: 428.4kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

Ingredients

1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese diced
1 ½ cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese divided
1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer.
Drizzle with oil and toss. Bake for 18 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the cream to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat whisking often. Stir in cream cheese, and cook until the cream cheese melts.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the ¾ cup of the cheddar cheese and the gouda cheese.
Sprinkle with the garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook until the cheese melts, about 3 or 4 minutes.
Add the cauliflower to the pot and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 9 casserole dish. Top with the remaining ¾ cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes. If desired, you can broil for a few minutes to brown the top.

Notes

Storage

Gouda cauliflower mac and cheese can be stored for about three days. Keep it sealed in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Make Ahead & Freezing

This recipe can be made up to two days ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator.

Make sure that you let the casserole dish come to room temperature for baking if it is ceramic or glass to avoid cracking. Or you can put the casserole in the oven as you preheat it to allow it to heat up gradually.

I don't recommend freezing. The loss in texture is pretty significant. (Though it would be perfectly safe to eat.)

Nutrition

More Keto Cauliflower Recipes

Keto Cauliflower Wings never fail to delight and satisfy! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this one is loaded with flavor.
Roasted Cauliflower is an easy to make side that is perfect with chicken or beef. Even kids love this one.