Truffle Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese is rich and creamy with an amazing umami flavor thanks to added truffle zest. This quick and easy-to-make dish is low carb and gluten free. It can be served as the main dish or as a side.
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If you love the flavor of truffles, you will absolutely love this rich and creamy Truffle Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese recipe.
It’s made with fresh cauliflower florets in a savory, cheese sauce.
A lot of truffle mac and cheese recipes incorporate truffle oil, most of which don’t even contain truffles. I use truffle zest and absolutely love it. It contains real truffles and doesn’t add more oil, calories, and fat to an already very indulgent dish.
I also topped this dish with almond flour crumbs, but you can omit them or use regular breadcrumbs in you’re not gluten free or watching your carb intake.
Looking for more variations of cauliflower mac and cheese? Try this Chipotle Cheddar Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe too!
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is actually pretty quick and easy to prepare, but tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.
It’s loaded with delicious umami flavor thanks to the inclusion of truffle zest.
As written, this recipe has just 11 carbohydrates per side dish serving (22 grams per main dish serving) and is gluten free. It fits well into low carb and even some keto diet plans.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
Truffle Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- 1 large head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon truffle zest: I use Sabatino Tartufi
Almond Flour Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Cut the cauliflower into bite size florets.
Shred the cheddar cheese.
Chef’s Tip: shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bags of cheese. The bags contain added starch which can make the sauce grainy.
Create!
Spread the cauliflower florets out onto a baking sheet. Drizzle on olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, tossing halfway, or until fork-tender and starting to brown.
While the cauliflower is roasting, make the truffle cheese sauce.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan oven medium heat. Whisk in the heavy cream and cook a minute or two until hot and bubbly.
Add the cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
Stir in the cheddar cheese and continue to whisk vigorously until fully melted and smooth.
Stir in the truffle zest.
Chef’s Tip: you can add more or less truffle zest to suite your own tastes.
Gently stir the roasted cauliflower into the cheese sauce until coated.
Transfer to a small or medium baking dish.
To make the almond flour bread crumbs, melt the butter in the microwave in a small bowl on 15 second bursts until melted.
Stir in the almond flour and parsley with a fork to make crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumbs over the cauliflower.
Lower the oven temperature to 350°F.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
If you’d like to brown the almond flour crumbs more, after baking turn on the broiler. Place the baking dish until the broiler for about 1 minute, watching very closely to prevent burning.
Present!
Tips and Techniques
- Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bags of cheese. The bags contain added starch which can make the sauce grainy.
- You can add more or less truffle zest to suite your own tastes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for best results.
FAQ’s
Is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Healthy?
While cauliflower mac and cheese is lower in carbohydrates and calories than traditional mac and cheese, it is still a high calorie, high fat food and should be eaten in moderation.
What Do You Serve With Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?
Cauliflower mac and cheese can be enjoyed on its own or served as a side dish. It pairs especially well with steak, chicken, turkey and pork main dishes.
More Cheesy Cauliflower Recipes
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Truffle Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese
Ingredients
Truffle Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- 1 large head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon truffle zest (we use Sabatino Tartufi)
Almond Flour Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
Truffle Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Spread the cauliflower florets out onto a baking sheet. Drizzle on the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.1 large head cauliflower, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper
- Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, tossing halfway, or until fork-tender and starting to brown.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, make the truffle cheese sauce.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan oven medium heat. Whisk in the heavy cream and cook a minute or two until hot and bubbly.2 tablespoon butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Add the cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.4 ounces cream cheese
- Stir in the cheddar cheese and continue to whisk vigorously until fully melted and smooth.6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese
- Stir in the truffle zest.1 teaspoon truffle zest
- Gently stir the roasted cauliflower into the cheese sauce until coated.
- Transfer to a small or medium baking dish.
Almond Flour Breadcrumbs
- To make the almond flour bread crumbs, melt the butter in the microwave in a small bowl on 15 second bursts until melted.1 tablespoon butter
- Stir in the almond flour and parsley with a fork to make crumbs.1/4 cup blanched almond flour, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- Sprinkle the crumbs over the cauliflower.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350°F. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- If you'd like to brown the almond flour crumbs more, after baking turn on the broiler. Place the baking dish until the broiler for about 1 minute, watching very closely to prevent burning.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bags of cheese. The bags contain added starch which can make the sauce grainy.
- You can add more or less truffle zest to suite your own tastes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for best results.
Amy Liu Dong says
This cauliflower mac and cheese is just amazing! Healthy and it taste so good!
Jamie says
Wow! This Mac and cheese recipe was delicious and very classic with a twist of the added Truffle Cauliflower! It was so yummy too.! It would also be a perfect side for this Thanksgiving!