A healthy, noodle-less twist on a classic comfort food, this kid-approved cheesy cauliflower that tastes like mac and cheese is the perfect way to sneak in veggies and extra protein without the mealtime struggle.
Why moms also love this kid-approved meal
- A good source of protein from cottage cheese, grated cheese, and milk
- Gluten-free, thickened with cornstarch instead of refined flour
- A good source of calcium for bone health
- Fibre-rich from cauliflower
- Grain-free for those on an anti-inflammatory protocol
- Satiating without the blood sugar spike and crash that traditional pasta might give you
- Minimal prep and clean up
Key ingredients in this cheesy cauliflower recipe
- 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
- 1 cup of whole milk or unsweetened milk of choice
- 3/4 cup of cottage cheese
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch to thicken the sauce and keep it gluten-free
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup of grated cheese (a blend of cheddar, Jack, mozzarella all work)
- Sea salt and pepper
Additional ingredients you could include
- Roasted hot Italian sausage
- Broccoli
- Green peas
- Cooked bacon bits
- Slices of proscuitto
- Diced tomato
- Roasted chicken
- Pulled pork
- Mushrooms
How to make the cheese sauce
Remove the stem and leaves from a head of cauliflower and chop it into florets. Add them to an 8×8 baking dish and set aside
Melt butter in a non-toxic, non-stick frying pan on low heat. When it is melted, stir in the cornstarch until dissolved and the mixture is smooth
Pour in the milk, salt and pepper to taste, and let the mixture come to a light simmer. You will see it start to thicken as you stir occasionally
Add in the cottage cheese and 3/4 of the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and pour the mixture over the cauliflower florets. Top with the remaining grated cheese
Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese on the top is bubbly and turning brown. Remove from oven and let it col for at least 20 minutes before serving so it can thicken up a bit
Kid-approved Cheesy Cauliflower (that tastes like mac and cheese)
Description
A healthy, noodle-less twist on a classic comfort food, this kid-approved, gluten-free cauliflower mac and cheese is the perfect way to sneak in veggies and extra protein without the mealtime struggle.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove the stem and leaves from a head of cauliflower and chop it into florets. Add them to an 8×8 baking dish and set aside
- Melt butter in a non-toxic, non-stick frying pan on low heat. When it is melted, stir in the cornstarch until dissolved and the mixture is smooth
- Pour in the milk, salt and pepper to taste, and let the mixture come to a light simmer. You will see it start to thicken as you stir occasionally
- Add in the cottage cheese and 3/4 of the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and pour the mixture over the cauliflower florets. Top with the remaining grated cheese
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese on the top is bubbly and turning brown. Remove from oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes before serving so it can thicken up a bit
