Jalapeño Popper Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
This Jalapeño Popper Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a creamy and delicious low carb alternative to macaroni and cheese. Serve this Keto side dish with any protein that you like!
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❤️ Why You’ll Love this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Classic jalapeño poppers flavors
- Super creamy cheese sauce coating tender cauliflower
- Low carb alternative to macaroni and cheese
- Pairs with any protein that you like
- Family friendly
It has such great flavor from the jalapeño peppers, cream cheese and bacon! Let’s be honest, everything’s better with bacon! If you’re not big on spicy foods, believe it or not, this isn’t overly spicy (see recipes notes).
If you’re not a huge fan of cauliflower, you honestly won’t even taste it because the sauce is THAT good! But, alternatively, you could serve this gluten free sauce over broccoli instead.
This Keto side dish can be made in under 10 minutes and will impress just about anyone! If you have someone in the family who’s not on Keto or doesn’t like veggies, you can serve them some of this sauce over their favorite pasta.
You know how some dishes are even better the next day? This is one of those dishes, it’s honestly even better when it’s had time to sit overnight. Another great thing about this sauce, is you can also use it as a dip for raw veggies!
🛒 What’s in Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Heavy cream
- Uncured bacon
- Bacon grease
- Jalapeño peppers, minced (see notes)
- Grass-fed butter
- Hot water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh cilantro
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
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🔪 How to Make Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Add the cauliflower florets to a microwave safe bowl with a plate (or paper plate) on top. Microwave for 7-8 minutes or until slightly tender (or your desired texture).
You can steam it instead, if you don’t have or want to use a microwave, but I would not boil it, it might be too watery.
While the cauliflower is cooking, heat a saucepan over medium. Add in the butter and bacon grease, then sauté the jalapeño peppers until tender, should take just about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the cream cheese and stir until melted.
Add the remaining ingredients and still until well combined and all the cheese has melted.
Add in 1-2 tablespoons of hot water if needed, to reach your desired consistency. I added in 1 tablespoon, to thin it out a tiny bit.
Once the cauliflower is cooked through, you don’t need to drain it or pat it dry. The small amount of moisture will be perfect with this sauce, which as I mentioned, is on the thicker side.
Add the cauliflower into the skillet and mix well to coat each piece, then serve.
I garnished my Keto cauliflower dish with some fresh chopped cilantro, but you can use parsley, scallions or minced jalapeño. If you’re a fan of cilantro, you could also mix a tablespoon or so right into the sauce.
Store leftovers in the fridge for a few days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or stovetop.
The amount of jalapeño pepper that you use is entirely up to you, and will depend personal preference. I would recommend using 2 jalapeño peppers for a mild to medium level of heat and flavor. If you’re like me and love a spicy kick and a stronger jalapeño flavor, you’ll want to use a bit more.
If you’re not sure how much to use, you can make the sauce with just 2 jalapeño’s, taste it and see how you like it. Then, you can quickly sauté more and mix it in the sauce to give it more heat and flavor.
Be sure to check out this Keto Chicken Casserole, Jalapeño Popper Chicken Dip, Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup and Jalapeño Popper Egg Salad that all have a lot of the same great jalapeño popper flavors!
And if you love this Keto Cauliflower recipe, then check out the Roasted Cauliflower Ham and Cheese Casserole, you won’t be disappointed.
Is Cauliflower Keto?
Absolutely! In fact, cauliflower plays a huge part in many popular Keto recipes. It works as a great substitute for potatoes and rice which makes cauliflower the quintessential Keto vegetable!
Cauliflower is low in carb and high in fiber and is very nutritious. According to this article, cauliflower provides a significant amount of antioxidants as well as some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need.
How Many Carbs in Cauliflower?
For a whole cup of cooked cauliflower, there are 3 net grams of carbs which much less than the amount of carbs found in rice or potatoes. Now, that’s not bad!
More Keto Side Dishes
- Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
- Easy Creamed Spinach
- Broccoli Salad
- Cauliflower “Potato” Salad
- Easy Cole Slaw
- Cauliflower Mushroom “Risotto”
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Jalapeño Popper Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small bites
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, I use a cheddar blend
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 strips of uncured bacon, cooked and crumbled (bacon grease reserved)
- 3 teaspoons bacon grease, melted
- 2 jalapeño peppers, minced (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter
- 1-2 tablespoons hot water
- salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Add the cauliflower florets to a microwave safe bowl with a plate (or paper plate) on top Microwave for 7-8 minutes or until slightly tender (or your desired texture). You can steam it instead, if you don’t have or want to use a microwave, but I wouldn't boil it, it might be too watery.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, heat a saucepan over medium. Add in the butter and bacon grease, then sauté the jalapeño peppers until tender, should take just about 2-3 minutes. Add in the cream cheese and stir until melted. Add the remaining ingredients and still until well combined and all the cheese has melted.
- Add in 1-2 tablespoons of hot water if needed, to reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cauliflower is cooked through, you don't need to drain it or pat it dry. The small amount of moisture will be perfect with this sauce, which as I mentioned, is on the thicker side. Pour cauliflower in the skillet and mix well to coat each piece, then serve.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or crumbled bacon.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for a few days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or stovetop.
Recipe Notes
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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Rate this Recipe
This is one of the best sides I have eaten. I’ve taken it to two pot lucks and it disappears. Today I’m going to add green chile instead of jalapeños because I’m from NM. 😉 I’m sure it will be just as good.
Yay! I love hearing how much you have enjoyed it.
This dish is so delicious. Packed with flavor. I’ve also used the sauce with spaghetti squash (best eaten first day). Left a little jalapeño rib and seeds, just a little, absolute perfection.
I am so thrilled to hear how much you loved this recipe! What a great idea for leftovers, thanks!
That was really good Julianne. Do you seed your jalapeños before you mince them? I did, and I found that the jalapeños just added color instead of heat.
You can if you prefer. The capsaicin in the seeds and membranes will add heat to the dish, so if you want it to have a milder flavor, you’ll want to remove them.
This was amazing
Yay! I love that you enjoyed it.
My husband and I love this recipe. I divide it into portions for two and freeze it. When we head to the hills for camping, just grab it out of the freezer, and we have an instant side. So easy to reheat. Thanks for posting
Such a great idea and I’m so glad you and hubby loved it!
I don’t often give a 5/5 rating, but this was delicious!
Thanks so much, I appreciate that. I’m really glad you loved it!
Made this evening! This recipe is a keeper! Delicious!
That awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Seriously….. This is one of those things I could eat everyday and NEVER get sick of it. Thank you!!!!
Aww, thanks so much!
This recipe was amazing! It’s in my “definitely make again” file and not many recipes I try get that designation. I plan to try adding ham next time for a comfort food casserole. I’d give this recipe more than 5 stars if I could! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.
Aww, thanks so much, I’m happy to hear that you liked it!
Candy S.
I have made this a couple of times! It is awesome! We are taking it up to see our grandchildren who don’t like vegetables:)
That’s so nice to hear, and I hope they love it!
How much is a serving and how many servings does it make? I’m trying to enter this into my app and I want to be as accurate as possible. It looks amazing! Thank you.
There are 7 servings in the entire recipe, using a large head of cauliflower. The size of each serving will depend on the size of your cauliflower. You can always weigh it and calculate it that way.
Is this something you could make earlier in the day and then put in the oven at night for dinner?
Absolutely!
Made this last night as a side with ribs. AMAZING!! So yummy and easy. My hubby loved it too. Thank you!
That’s wonderful to hear!!
Hi, how well does this freeze? Always looking for quick recipes I can reheat for work
I’ve honestly not tried freezing it before, but I imagine it would do just fine. You can always freeze the sauce separate from the cauliflower, then heat both and mix.
Can I make this with cauliflower rice or frozen cauliflower? If i use frozen cauliflower how much would I use?
Would I be able to add some caramelized onion to this?
Absolutely, sounds fantastic!!
This is delicious. I made it as a side item but next time I’m making it as the main dish. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! You can add in some chunks of roasted chicken and really make it a complete meal 🙂
Why uncured bacon?
On Keto, we try to avoid bacon and other meats that contain nitrites/nitrates and other unhealthy preservatives.
I wonder… what’s the red color veggie we see in the sauce? Sweet pepper, tomato?
Hi Francine,
That’s actually not a veggie, it’s bacon 🙂
Tried this. It is delicious!!
I made this tonight for my family. I’ve been Keto for nearly a year now with great success and I’ve been trying to find new recipes to try. This was fantastic! We loved it! The whole family. Thank you so much for sharing.
Debra,
That’s awesome, so glad you and your family enjoyed it! And congrats on having great success on Keto, that’s fantastic!
I cheated a bit: already had made a cheese sauce a few days back so used that with jalapeño sautéed in bacon fat with some jarred bacon bits. Yummy!
How much is a serving?
This is delicious!! Made tonight to pair with beef kabobs and green salad. It was soooo good! Thank you fo sharing, I love your recipes!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂