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With Salt and Wit

Laugh Often. Eat Well.

14 October 13, 2016 30 Minute Recipes

Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a delicious guilt free take on a classic! Cauliflower tossed in a vegan, paleo cheese sauce and topped with crispy bacon. 

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

I witnessed something beautiful this weekend. With all the chaos among us, I am lucky to see love is still present. My 85-year-old Nana remarried this past weekend to a true gentlemen. Both widowed, they have found love again in each other. Finding someone to spend their long afternoons with; to travel this beautiful world with, to taste the flavors of other cultures with.

It was a quaint ceremony celebrating the joining of two families that’s tree roots have grown quite deep; 9 great grandchildren are able to say they were a part of their Nana’s wedding. I am guessing only a select few are able to hold that statement true. Seeing the life in my Nana’s eyes as she has someone to share her life again with; as my Papa passed away during my college years. In true newlywed style, they are taking off to Europe for a river cruise to sip full bodied wines and noshing on smooth dark chocolates. To bounce from corner bakeries that draw you in with their buttery croissant aromas floating through the streets. To see the world’s most exquisites features, such as the Eifel Tower; something on my bucket list since I was a little girl. Something about the feel of Paris just resonates in me. The slow movement of the French ways excites me as our life is anything bet. I long for those leisurely days.

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

Now that my cravings for flakey croissants and a foam filled latte are at an all time high, let’s talk food, shall we?

In the middle of my food allergy testing, I received Cassy Jo Garcia’s, of Fed & Fit, book, Fed & Fit: A 28 Day Food & Fitness Plan to Jump-Start Your Life, a squeaky clean paleo cookbook. I instantly was excited to cook again as I flipped through page after page of homestyle recipes. Each one falling into our wheel house, meals that aren’t filled with crazy flavors or ingredients, yet family-style recipes that screamed comfort. Such as BBQ Chicken Potato Bake, shredded chicken coated in a homemade tomato based BBQ sauce, added to fluffy mashed potatoes then baked to marry all the flavors. This one passed with flagging colors by the hubs and even my mother in law! When you receive thumbs up and recipe requests from family members on squeaky clean recipes, you know they are keepers.

Another recipe that received raging reviews is this Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, essentially a low carb cauliflower mac and cheese, no pasta though! As a gal that could pass on pasta type dishes (I know, crazy right?!), I jump at any recipe that transforms nutrition powerhouses into comforting dishes. Case in point my cauliflower au gratin, which is a staple for our Thanksgiving menu every year!

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

Cassy reinvented mac and cheese to remove the gluten and dairy, both which I am sensitive to at this moment. She swapped the macaroni with cauliflower florets and made a ‘cheese’ sauce with silky coconut milk and nutritious yeast, which is a vitamin loaded supplement that has a cheese flavor when added to ingredients. It creates a silky sauce that upgrades this cauliflower mac n cheese. I have made dairy-free Mexican queso countless times for Mexican night with my family members preferring my queso over traditional. #Winning.

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

Cassy’s is not only a cookbook but a 28-day food and fitness plan to jump-start your life. She walks you through her protocol for starting a Paleo lifestyle. It is a customized healthy lifestyle design how-to. Cassy boasts that there is no one single “right” way to create a healthy lifestyle. She overhauled her life, quit fighting with her body and started feeling her best. This book came into my life a the perfect time as I was currently addressing my own health issues, while I am not strict paleo, I love the concept of focusing on real food, something I have always focused on. She walks you through a 28-day overhaul that focuses on mindset, sleep, hydration, nutrition and fitness, complete with recipes, full workouts, journal! If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, or in need of new, family-friendly recipe ideas, I highly suggest checking out Cassy’s book! This book has made itself a permanent home in my kitchen!

Low Carb Healthy Paleo Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese {Pasta, Comfort Food, Dairy Free, Veggies}

meal prep tips:

  1. trim cauliflower, cut bacon and slice green onions. Store in sealed containers until ready to make.

  2. Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce then store in sealed containers until ready to make.

Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Loaded Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a delicious guilt free take on a classic ! Cauliflower tossed in a vegan, paleo cheese sauce and topped with crispy bacon.

15 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

45 minTotal Time

Yields 6

Author:

Megan

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound bacon, thinly sliced crosswise
  • 2 heads cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. In a wide soup pot or heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the bacon into a bowl. Drain off most of the fat remaining in the pan, but don't wipe the pan down.
  2. While the bacon is cooking, cut the cauliflower florets away from the stems. (You should have 6 cups of florets.) Steam the cauliflower using one these two methods:
  3. Stovetop method: Bring about 4 inches of water to a boil in a large pot. Place the cauliflower in a colander or steamer basket that sits above the water and steam for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cauliflower gives easily when poked with a fork.
  4. Microwave method: Place cauliflower in a large microwave bowl with 1/4 cup water. Cover and microwave on high for 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower gives easily when poked with fork.
  5. Transfer the steamed cauliflower to the pot you used to cook the bacon. Add the remaining ingredients, except the chives, and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in half of the bacon and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with the remaining half of the bacon and the chives. Serve warm.

Notes

*Recipe reprinted with permission from Fed & Fit.

7.8.1.2
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https://withsaltandwit.com/loaded-cauliflower-mac-cheese/

Loaded Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

If you make this recipe, make sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #WITHSALTANDWIT. I’d love to see what you are cooking up in your kitchen!

14

Categories: 30 Minute Recipes Tags: bacon, christmas, dairy free, gluten free, healthy, holiday, paleo, quick, side dish, thanksgiving

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cassy Joy Garcia says

    October 13, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Megan! I'm blown away!! Thank you so much for the thoughtful review. I'm thrilled to know that you and your family are loving the book! Your photos are stunning and the story of your Nana's wedding gave me chills. Lots of love, Cassy
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 13, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      My pleasure! This book has really been a life saver and when the husband is on board with all the recipes as well, it makes our dinner a breeze!
      Reply
  2. TidyMom says

    October 13, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Just look at that silky sauce!! I can't wait to try this!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 13, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      I hope you do...it's a family hit!
      Reply
  3. Heather Kinnaird says

    October 13, 2016 at 10:01 am

    my husband and I recently started eating mainly low carb, and this sounds like a delicious recipe to add to our collection
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 13, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      Oh well then this dish is right up your alley!
      Reply
  4. amanda -runtothefinish says

    October 13, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Wait this is dairy free?! OMG I am in love!! I totally love cauliflower and this whole concept is right up my alley!! I might have to call it something else for hubs to eat it, he'd be way to confused at the lack of his powdery yellow cheese ;)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 14, 2016 at 7:37 am

      Yes girl! My hubs was a bit confused but he knows most of my experimental recipes turn out pretty tasty! Hope you love it as much as we did :)
      Reply
  5. Laura says

    October 13, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    If only my kids would not figure me out!! LOL! They are mac and cheese connoisseurs...but I could always make this for myself on the side! Looks yummy!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 13, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Ohhh I feel like kids would be a hard one to trick with this dish! But nothing wrong with making mama a healthy dish on the side! Thanks Laura!
      Reply
  6. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    October 13, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    Yum!! That sauce looks heavenly. And congrats to your Nana! Years ago I was in my grandpa's wedding. :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Thanks so much Alyssa...I will pass along the well wishes ;) And how crazy! Good for him ;)
      Reply
  7. Jenny | Honey and Birch says

    October 13, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    I usually pass on cauliflower, but there is no way I could pass on this!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 14, 2016 at 7:45 am

      My husband is the same way! But he loved this one! Thanks Jenny!
      Reply
  8. Lindsay Cotter says

    October 13, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    Wow, love this! Need to make asap!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 14, 2016 at 7:36 am

      I hope you do! It is right up your alley!
      Reply
  9. Maryanne | the little epicurean says

    October 13, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    This sounds wonderful! I've become such a big fan of cauliflower after trying buffalo cauliflower at a local vegan restaurant.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 14, 2016 at 7:36 am

      Same here! My husband started loving it that way as well :) Thanks Maryanne!
      Reply
  10. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

    October 14, 2016 at 7:06 am

    This looks amazing! I am actually a pretty big fan of cauliflower, and this is such a great way to eat it! :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Isn't it the best? My husband thinks I am crazy with how much I love it. Thanks Carrie!
      Reply
  11. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    October 14, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Isn't it crazy how versatile cauliflower is??? I LOVE this idea and the fact that it's sooo healthy-- awesome!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:55 am

      By far the best!
      Reply
  12. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    October 14, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I sure love this idea! Yum!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:55 am

      Thanks so much Lori!
      Reply
  13. Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says

    October 14, 2016 at 9:34 am

    I love the idea of making cauliflower mac and cheese! It's such a comforting way to get your veggies!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:55 am

      Exactly! Plus we can all have more with no guilt ;)
      Reply
  14. Rebecca | NOURISHED. the blog says

    October 14, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Love this take on Mac and Cheese - so clever to use cauliflower instead of pasta! I will be making this for dinner this weekend for sure! Also, such a cute about your Nana! Wishing the newly weds all the best!! :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Oh I hope you enjoy it! Thanks Rebecca! I will pass along your well wishes :)
      Reply
  15. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

    October 14, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    cauliflower mac and cheese ooo my, I would want to eat all of this! I love mac and cheese and I love cauliflower so this needs to happen!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 24, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Thankfully we can with little guilt ;) Thanks Angie!
      Reply
  16. Alisa Fleming says

    October 15, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Yum! This looks like the perfect weeknight option! I always have these ingredients on hand.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 18, 2016 at 7:29 pm

      If definitely is a good weeknight meal for sure! Thanks Alisa!
      Reply
  17. Genevia @ Every Nutrient says

    March 7, 2017 at 1:10 am

    Absolutely loved this reinvented version of mac and cheese. Cauliflower is a great addition, and the sauce looks fab! Thanks for the recipe!
    Reply
  18. Gabrielle says

    October 28, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Hi Megan! I love the way you made this recipe!! I think that this meal would be good on a cold Sunday afternoon, and I would love to make it for me and my children. This will be a good way for them to try cauliflower, with out them complaining!
    Reply

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Hi There!

I'm Megan! A wife, mama and have a serious love of nutritious, time-saving meals with a knack for meal prep hacks. I crave simple, wholesome and balanced meals with a bit of humor on the side! Welcome to my kitchen. Read More…

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