Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda
A cheesy, creamy keto twist on classic mac and cheese, using cauliflower for a low-carb base. This american-inspired keto (vegetarian, low-carb) ready in about 27 minutes pairs large head, riced Cauliflower, Unsalted butter, All-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 1 large head, riced Cauliflower
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Full-fat milk
- 1 cup shredded Smoked Gouda cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Steam 1 large head of riced cauliflower for 8-10 minutes until tender but not mushy, then drain well in a fine-mesh strainer.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until golden.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup full-fat milk, then stir in 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda until melted and smooth, adding 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Stir the drained cauliflower into the cheese sauce until fully coated, then cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large head, riced cauliflower from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cauliflower 'Mac' with Smoked Gouda vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
