Replace pasta with this slightly-sweet cauliflower mac and cheese. It’s made with pumpkin and topped with crispy bacon!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
If your kids aren’t huge fans of cauliflower, then make this recipe and see what they say. I bet you convert them over to loving this cruciferous vegetable.
The tiny cauliflower florets are smothered in sweet pumpkin puree, sharp cheddar cheese, and nutty parmesan cheese.
The pumpkin and cheese sauce is then topped with savory, salty bacon pieces. It’s the perfect combination that turns mild cauliflower florets into the tastiest veggies you’ve ever eaten.
If you’re looking for a new side dish, you have to make this one!
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Cauliflower is super healthy, so adding pumpkin to the creamy and cheesy sauce only boosts the nutrition profile of this side dish.
Pumpkin is really high in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. You might be used to pumpkin in sweet treats – like no-bake pumpkin cheesecake bars. This is a savory way to eat pumpkin!
You’ll love how it adds some natural sweetness to the earthy cauliflower.
Keto Mac and Cheese
If your kiddos really love macaroni noodles and can’t be convinced that cauliflower is pasta, then try the pumpkin and cheese sauce on top of some high-fiber macaroni noodles. It’s still so much better for your kids than the boxed stuff.
I love making this as a lunch for my kids and me to eat together. There are just 5 grams net carbs per serving. To make it a full lunch with more protein, add some shredded or canned chicken to the mix.
Mac and Cheese With Bacon
Bacon makes everything better, doesn’t it? I love sprinkling it on top of cranberry chicken salad or wrapping them around air fryer chicken tenders. Whenever you cook with bacon, remember to use sugar-free bacon.
Lots of bacon in the store is made with maple syrup, which are hidden carbs.
You can change things up really easily – just change the type of cheese you use. I used cheddar and parmesan. Try this with some pepper jack and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese instead.
Keto Pumpkin Side Dish Recipe
This easy keto pumpkin side dish tastes perfect with easy Italian chicken skewers. It also tastes delicious with keto tuna melt zucchini boats.
If you want to make this side dish ahead of time, store the cauliflower mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you reheat it, the cheese and cream will melt perfectly.
Cauliflower Pumpkin Mac and Cheese With Bacon Recipe
Here’s the list of ingredients that you’ll need to make this filling and delicious jalapeno popper chicken casserole. The exact measurements and instructions are located in the printable recipe card just a little bit further below.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Servings: 6
Net Carbs: 5 net carbs per serving
Ingredients:
Bacon pieces + additional for garnish
Large head of cauliflower
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Butter
Minced garlic
Paprika
Pumpkin puree
Heavy whipping cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Parmesan grated
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Add the cauliflower to a parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes.
While the cauliflower is roasting, add the butter to a skillet or pot over medium heat.
Saute the garlic in the melted butter for one minute.
Pour in the heavy whipping cream and pumpkin puree, and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix in the paprika, shredded cheddar, bacon and parmesan cheese.
Stir until the cheese has melted.
Add additional heavy whipping cream or chicken broth if the mixture is too thick.
Stir the roasted cauliflower into the cheese sauce, and toss to combine well.
Serve garnished with additional bacon.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese With Pumpkin and Bacon
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing Bowl
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Chopped Bacon Pieces plus more for garnish
- 1 large Head of Cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/3 cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Add the cauliflower to a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, add the butter to a skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Saute the garlic in the melted butter for one minute.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream and pumpkin puree, and whisk to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix in the paprika, shredded cheddar, bacon and parmesan cheese.
- Stir until the cheese has melted.
- Add additional heavy whipping cream or chicken broth if the mixture is too thick.
- Stir the roasted cauliflower into the cheese sauce, and toss to combine well.
- Serve garnished with additional bacon.
Notes
Keto Cauliflower Recipes
If you enjoyed this easy cauliflower pumpkin mac and cheese recipe, here are some more tasty keto cauliflower recipes you should make next! They are all super-quick and nutritious.
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