Best homemade mac and cheese loaded with cauliflower will trick the pickiest eaters into eating their veggies.
Today I'm teaching you a little trick. My granddaughters come over for dinner every other week. Their only request? Mac and cheese. I think I need to buy some stock in pasta, but I digress.
Mac and cheese is simple to make from scratch (no need for boxed versions that are full of additives), and is very forgiving in that you can't really mess it up, even when experimenting with it.
In this version, I added cauliflower. The flavor is mild and it wouldn't set off my granddaughters’ “veggie radar” because it blends right in (as does its color). It also adds a mild sweetness to the dish.
Tip: Never reveal your secret!
It turns out there are plenty of picky eaters among adults as well, but trust me, you can trick them too with this yummy dish. I'm a real magician when it comes to hiding veggies.
I've snuck a whole cabbage head into this sneaky casserole, and no one ever knew.
I'm always looking for ways to make comfort foods a bit healthier.
Have you snuck veggies into your dishes? How do you make your recipes wholesome? Tell me in the comments!
🛒Ingredients and Notes
- macaroni
- cauliflower
- onion
- sour cream
- milk
- shredded Mozzarella
- mustard
- breadcrumbs
🔪Step by Step Instructions
- In a pot of salted water cook cauliflower and macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat two tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add cooked macaroni and cauliflower. Stir in sour cream, milk, cheese, and mustard. Season the macaroni with salt and pepper. Stir well until cheese is melted. Transfer to a casserole dish.
- In a small bowl mix breadcrumbs, parsley, and one tablespoon olive oil. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
💗More Great Recipes to Try
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Best Cauli Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- casserole dish
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked macaroni I used whole grain Rotini
- 1 small head cauliflower chopped
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup low fat sour cream
- ½ cup skim milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese I used Mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a pot of salted water, cook cauliflower and macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add cooked macaroni and cauliflower. Stir in sour cream, milk, cheese, and mustard. Season the macaroni with salt and pepper. Stir well until cheese is melted. Transfer to a casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs, parsley, and one tablespoon olive oil. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
This is definitely a great way to 'hide' veggies deliciously, Jas! I like that you use low fat sour cream too. Pinning and sharing. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a good week!
I love that this recipe takes a comfort food and adds a healthy ingredient! Pinning for later. I am visiting from Friday at the Fire Station link-up.
I followed you on Pinterest and Facebook and would love for you to follow me!
Thank you much, Kristin! Followed back 🙂
This sound wonderful! Thank you for sharing on Whisk It Wednesday Link Party at Carrie's Home Cooking! I can't wait to see what you post tomorrow! Cheers~Carrie
Thank you, Carrie! Hope you'll also like what I'll share tomorrow 🙂
I like so much mac cheese recipes but I have never seen one with cauliflower! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe 🙂
Hi, Christina! I hope you'll give this one a try. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Yum! Thanks for joining us at the To Grandma's House We Go link party!
Thank you, Sheri!
I love mac & cheese and I love to add cauliflower!
Perfect for sharing, thanks for bringing it to Fiesta Friday!
Great minds think alike... 😉
I love to hide veggies in meals 😉 And this one is definitely to try! I think Junior would love this one!
-Emmi
Hi, Emmi! My grands loved it so I hope your Junior will too 😀
Thank you what a great recipe!. I really like the layout of your photos on this recipe. A different perspective that makes the image pop. Pinned
Thank you, Susan! I'm so happy you like it and I appreciate your kind feedback. 😀
What delicious winter comfort food! I love the addition of cauliflower!
Thanks so much, Lynda! 🙂
I can't wait to try this recipe it looks very comforting to me. Happy to see you here at Full Plate Thursday and thanks so much for sharing with us.
Miz Helen
You got it right, Miz Helen. It is very comforting 🙂
So glad you share your creativity with us at Merry Monday. Can't wait to see what's new from you next week!
Thank you bunches, Shirley!
This sounds absolutely delicious, I love cauliflower cheese and this makes it possible for me to have it as a whole meal!
Thank you, Kat! It could definitely be a whole meal. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in!
I love cauliflower and mac and cheese so this basically blows my mind hehehehe. Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
I'm happy you like it, Kelly! Thanks a bunch 😀
Jas, you are making me hungry! This looks scrumptious!! Thanks for sharing this at Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Haha, sorry Mollie! Thank you bunches. 😀
Yes! I’ve been sneaking veggies into my kids Mac and cheese for years. Though mine complain if it isn’t bright orange and has bits of veggies. So frustrating. But cauliflower is definitely one of my go-to veggies to use. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
So funny that we all do it now. When I was growing up it was: eat it or go hungry. LOL
This recipe looks like a winner! All of the ingredients make this recipe look so yummy! I like that you added cauliflower to a mac & cheese recipe!
Hi, Natalie! It fooled my granddaughters, lol.
Yum! I love the edition of mustard. Great way to get more veggies and make macaroni and cheese better for me.
Definitely better! 😉 Thanks for stopping in.
Sounds delicious!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thanks, Abbey! Hope you like it!
What an excellent idea! I think I'll definitely have to try this.
I hope you do and I hope you like it 🙂 Let me know! Thanks for visiting.
What, you have granddaughters?!?! How did you do that, had children when you were 12?! LOL Anyway, love the idea! Besides, technically cauliflower is not a veggie, it's not green 🙂
LOL, Angie, you're too sweet. I turned 52 in December, but thank you! 😀
So, what is cauliflower then if not a veggie? I can't keep up with the trends, ha! 😉
I am SOOOOO with you on hiding the veggies! For the longest time, I got away with sneaking zoodles in with the spaghetti—and then my picky eater got wise to my trick. Luckily, he hasn't figured out the cauliflower trick yet! This is a great way to lighten up one of my favorite naughty comfort foods—I mean, who doesn't like mac and cheese! I would love it like this anyway: no subterfuge needed. But the picky one is another matter...I can't wait to try this out on him!
LOL, they get smart rather quickly, don't they? Good luck hiding veggies, Michelle and thanks for stopping in!. 😀
I've never thought to add cauliflower to mac n cheese, but I bet it's yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
It really is yummy, Jann! Thanks for stopping in!
I too make a lot of mac & cheese because my kids' love it. But I am always concerned about it not being the healthiest of entrees. I have pinned this and will definitely give it a try.
Thank you, Lisa! It's hard pleasing the picky eaters as they generally dislike healthy foods. 🙂
This sounds yummy! I have snuck cauliflower into our Alfredo sauce, zucchini in a chocolate cake, and pureed carrots into tomato sauce. I have one boy that is quite picky when it comes to anything with vegetables. Pinning this.
Pureed carrots in tomato sauce is a brilliant idea! I might even try it for myself as I'm not a carrot fan (unless it's in a cake, lol). Thanks for sharing and happy 2018!
That does sound like the best cauliflower mac and cheese! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party!
Thank you, Helen! It's very well hidden and yummy. 😉
Added this to my Yummly recipe box. I'm always looking for ways to sneak in veggies with the kiddo's favorite meals and sides.
Sneaky, sneaky, lol! Thanks for stopping in Donella. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
I usually disguise cauliflower in the meals too, it's not a popular veggie around here. Thanks for another opportunity to make more healthy meals, pinning!
Lol, you can't even taste it in this dish. You can chop it really small so to hide it better! 😉
I loooove cauliflower. I can't wait to try this recipe out. I may have to make it for my niece and nephew as well
Me too, Rose! I put it in everything, lol! Bet your niece and nephew won't notice 😉
This is a wonderful simple idea. It would lower the carb and calorie count per serving as well as adding vitamins.
Most definitely, Leanna! Thank you for stopping in, hope you're enjoying your weekend!
I love Cauliflower and this looks like a fantastic way to use it in a dish that is a little different. I can't wait to try it. Thank you for sharing at Sugar and Spice Link Party.
In that case, you will love this dish, Amy! Thanks for stopping in. Hope your weekend is full of blessings!
I like the idea of combining the cauliflower with pasta rather than replacing it. Sounds good!! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up.
Hi, Helen. Baby steps... 😀
Sounds delicious!
Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
Hi, Michelle. Thank you and thanks for stopping in!
I'm a huge fan of cauliflower, and I love mac n cheese. Will definitely make this recipe!
Me too! Love it in any shape or form, lol. Let me know how it turns out for you :)
What a great way to get kids to eat their veggies, as well as some adults! Love it!
Hi, Carol. Thank you, we need to be tricked sometimes too, don't we? 😉
Sometimes we cooks have to be a little sneaky to get our families to eat a healthier. Like you idea of adding the cauliflower, I know I would enjoy your dish very much.
Thank you so much, Karen! The healthier you want it to be, the harder it gets. But, one dish at a time and we'll get there, right?
You are a very sneaky grandma,,,hiding veggies in the mac and cheese... Love the little crunchy topping too. Wishing you a super 2017!
He, he....what can I say? 😉 Thanks, Bobbi, and all the best in 2017 to you and your family!