For a healthier version of a kid favorite, make these cauliflower mac and cheese bites slathered in a creamy, dairy-free sauce and loaded with bacon!

Enjoy the nostalgic comfort of mac-’n-cheese without any grains or dairy. Cauliflower stands in effortlessly for the pasta to provide a hearty veggie base with anti-inflammatory benefits! And if you thought you couldn’t replicate the creamy cheese that every good mac-’n-cheese has to offer, think again! Cashews and almond milk create a rich and smooth sauce that is bursting with cheese-like flavor thanks to nutritional yeast. Finish with chopped bacon and scallions for a drool-worthy dish!

Raw unsalted cashews are blended with unsweetened almond milk for a thick sauce without the flour (often found in typical cheese sauces). Dijon mustard adds a tangy zip, while nutritional yeast lends a cheesy flavor. For a spicy cheese sauce, blend in chili flakes or stir in chopped jalapeños.

Want to learn more about Paleo and how it can help you? Grab our FREE “What Is Paleo?” Guide by Clicking Here!

Start by lightly tenderizing cauliflower florets in boiling water for five minutes, then strain and set aside. Then prepare the sauce by blending ingredients together until smooth and thickened. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower, and gently stir to coat. Bake your cauliflower mac in an oven-safe casserole dish for 15 minutes, or until the tops of the cauliflower are golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped bacon and scallions for the perfect comfort food with smoky flavor!

Looking for more awesome cauliflower recipes? Try these Paleo favorites:

• Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits
• Paleo Cauliflower Bagel
• Healthy Cauliflower “Egg McMuffins”

Jennafer Ashley

Loaded Bacon Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

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Total time:25 mins

Cook Time:15 mins 15 minutes

Prep Time: 10 mins 10 minutes

Serves:2

Loaded Bacon Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

Recipe by: Jennafer Ashley

For a healthier version of mac-’n-cheese, make these cauliflower bites slathered in a creamy, dairy-free sauce and loaded with bacon!

Tools

• Large pot
• Strainer
• Mixing bowl
• Blender/food processor
• Casserole dish

Ingredients

For the Mac:

• 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
• 2 strips pasture-raised bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 T green onion, chopped

For the Cheese:

• 1/2 cup raw unsalted cashews
• 2 T nutritional yeast
• 1 t paprika
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 1/4 t sea salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil and add the cauliflower. Boil for 5 minutes, then strain and pour into a mixing bowl.
• Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a high speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and stir to combine.
• Transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with scallions and bacon crumbles.

Tip: The cheese sauce can also be slathered over roasted veggies or used as a topping for nachos!

(You’ll Also Love: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites)