Cauliflower 'Mac' with Sharp Cheddar and Bacon

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting keto twist on mac and cheese, using riced cauliflower and crispy bacon for rich flavor. This American-inspired keto recipe (vegetarian, low carb), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Cauliflower, Bacon, Unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until rice-sized, then steam for 10 minutes until tender.
  2. Step 2: Cook 4 chopped bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Step 3: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in the skillet over medium heat, whisk in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for 1 minute, then slowly pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream while whisking.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon (about 3 minutes).
  5. Step 5: Stir the steamed cauliflower into the sauce until fully coated, fold in 4 chopped bacon slices, and serve immediately.

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