Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese is a healthy recipe for the whole family! This lighter version of the classic comfort food is a dinner idea you must try! Nobody will notice the hidden veggies!

Everyone loves comfort food. Especially the American classic, mac & cheese! This roasted cauliflower mac & cheese is a great way to lighten it up yet still feel indulgent.

And if your kids are like ours, "hiding" some nutritious vegetables inside is an easy way to get them to eat healthy without the fuss!

Even a non-cauliflower eater likes this one! You can serve it as a main dish or a side dish.

If your family loves cheesy pasta, try this One-Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese or Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese.

Ingredients

Roasting the cauliflower gives this dish a deeper, richer flavor that goes well with the cheese sauce. The kids barely notice it’s there! A win for mom! Yay!

6 cups cauliflower florets
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
salt
2 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
¾ cup finely chopped onion
2 ½ cups non-fat milk (skim)
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ounces low fat- cream cheese (neufchâtel)
1 ½ cups reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon fresh minced thyme ( you can use dried as well)
1 teaspoon olive oil

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1 - Roast Cauliflower

First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Then, line a baking pan with foil or parchment paper—place cauliflower florets in a prepared pan. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and toss to coat.

Roast for 20 minutes or until tender and browned, turning once halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 - Cook Macaroni

Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to directions in a large pot (or dutch oven). Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Pro Tip: Salt the water you cook the macaroni in for the best flavor.

Step 3 - Cook Onions

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a non-stick pan to sauté the onion over medium heat for 3 - 4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and stir for an additional 30 seconds.

We love using a garlic press to mince garlic.

Step 4 - Make Cheese Sauce

Reuse macaroni pot for the cheese sauce. Now it's time to make a roux (fancy french word for butter & flour paste) with the butter, and sprinkling in the flour creates a smooth, creamy sauce that’s never lumpy.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot and melt. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour and constantly whisk until you form a paste. Now you're ready to add the milk, a little at a time while whisking the entire time.

Continue to add a bit of milk at a time while the sauce begins to thicken and become smooth. Gradually stir in the onion mixture and Worcestershire sauce.

Then, cook and stir until slightly bubbly. Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted. Remove from heat and add the cheddar cheese. Stir until just melted.

Step 5 - Add Cauliflower and Cooked Macaroni

Add cauliflower and cooked macaroni to cheese sauce; stir until just combined. Then, transfer to a 3-quart baking dish.

Step 6 - Make Bread Crumbs & Bake

Mix bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, and thyme in a small bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and mix together. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Bake for 25 -30 minutes and the crumbs are golden brown, and the macaroni is bubbly.

Garnish with fresh thyme if you like, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Besides adding the veggies, we use whole-grain macaroni and whole-wheat bread crumbs to make this recipe extra healthy. You can certainly use regular pasta if that's what your family prefers.
To save time, you can purchase a bag of precut cauliflower in the produce section of your grocery store.
You can definitely add crumbled bacon to the recipe.

How to Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. This Cauliflower Mac & Cheese recipe keeps in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop and serve.

Try These Mac and Cheese Recipes

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
One-Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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This recipe originally appeared on Suburban Simplicity on December 19, 2016. We updated it with enhanced instructions and images on September 25, 2021.

My family also enjoys this Tater Tot Casserole when they're craving delicious comfort food.

Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Ingredients