Creamy organic English cheddar and crispy bacon come together in a delicious low carb faux mac and cheese dish. Who needs noodles when you’ve got cauliflower? This post is sponsored by Kingdom Cheddar.
I have come to the realization that I have been sadly underestimating cheddar cheese for most of my life. Growing up, cheddar was the “basic” cheese, the cheese that we always had a big block of in the fridge but that didn’t really grab my attention in any big way. It was the cheese we put in and on everything. Cheddar was just there and I didn’t think much of it one way or another, although I liked it well enough. I thought cheddar was just cheddar, that it didn’t really have much variety apart from different brand names, but I was sorely mistaken. Over the past few years, I’ve learned a great deal about cheddar and how it varies place to place, region to region. And how the flavour profile changes with age and with the circumstances in which it was aged. It really is a remarkable cheese, with a long history and an amazing array of varieties. There’s nothing basic about cheddar.
If you’ve ever had English Cheddar, you’ll know what I mean. England is, of course, the birthplace of cheddar, and English cheddar is very distinct from the American varieties. It can be quite sharp, which I love, with a nutty finish. I am probably doing English cheddar a great disservice by lumping it all in together under one name. I am sure it has as many distinct varieties and tastes as American cheddar, but I haven’t yet had the chance to sample English cheddar to that extent.
I did, however, get the opportunity to sample Kingdom Cheddar recently, a British import that is the first and only European cheese to be certified organic by the USDA. This award-winning cheese is true cheddar, in that it actually comes from the Cheddar region of England. But it can be found on this side of the pond now and if you’re a cheese fanatic, it’s a must try. My little tasting tip: try it at room temperature. Cheddar really is best when it’s not straight of the fridge. The flavours mellow and mature and it becomes a little less sharp on the tongue. Check out where to find Kingdom Cheddar here.
I wanted to create a recipe with this lovely cheddar that really played up the English cheddar flavour, without overpowering it. I wanted something simple and healthy and easy to make. The Kingdom cheddar is very smooth and buttery, so I knew it would melt well and be perfect in a low carb cauliflower mac and cheese. I added a little bacon for a heartier dish, and in the hopes that it would entice my kids to eat some. My middle child loved it and has already asked me to make some again, which I will happily do. This was a wonderfully satisfying veggie dish full of great English Cheddar flavour. Noodles and mild cheese need not apply.
PS – the leftovers make a great breakfast!
Cauliflower Mac ‘N Cheese with English Cheddar and Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 5 ounces good English Cheddar, such as Kingdom, grated
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup sliced green onion
Instructions
- Cut cauliflower into florets and place into a large pot with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and steam until it can be pierced with a fork but isn't mushy, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Drain well, then return to the warm pot for a few minutes to draw out more moisture. Drain again.
- Meanwhile, add bacon to the pot and cook over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease from the pot and return to heat.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then add whipping cream and bring to just a simmer. Add the cheddar and stir until melted.
- Remove from heat and quickly whisk in xanthan gum to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Using your fingers, shred cauliflower into small macaroni-sized pieces and place in the bottom of a casserole dish or a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle with bacon. Pour cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower and top with additional grated cheese, if desired.
- Bake until bubbly and browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.
Notes
Saturated fatty acids: 15.31g
Total fat: 24.54g
Calories from fat: 220
Cholesterol: 87mg
Carbohydrate: 7.77g
Total dietary fiber: 2.17g
Protein: 11.41g
Sodium: 456mg
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kingdom Cheddar. As always, all thoughts, opinions, recipes, photography, random tangents and incoherent ramblings are my own.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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I made this tonight and it was comparable to a gourmet restaurant Mac n cheese I had on holiday in New Brunswick. Your version was fabulous! There is no way I could eat more than one portion though, as it is very rich. Thanks very much Carolyn for making low carb eating so damn exciting!
I am so glad to hear that!
Prepared this dish to take to a picnic. Picnic got rained out so our kids were forced to eat grilled chicken and Cauliflower Mac’ n Cheese. By kids, I mean our adult children, who happen to be some very picky eaters. They loved this cauliflower dish! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I served this tonight, paired with your BBQ Meat Balls, for an extended family dinner, and everyone LOVED it! They’re not even keto eaters. 🙂 And BTW, I found Kingdom cheese at Costco. Thank you for your lovely recipes. Just got your Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen cookbook and look forward to getting the next one soon!
Thanks, Lisa!
I love the idea of using cauliflower in place of noodles and the English cheddar! Delish!
Perfectly healthy 🙂
LOVE that you use English Cheddar – the sharper, the better in my opinion!
Simple, healthy, and delicious! I love everything about this cauliflower mac ‘n cheese!
Ooooh, I keep away from pasta dishes, but do have a love of mac and cheese! I can’t wait to try this yummy, low carb version!!!
Gotta love all the bacon in there!
Cauliflower mac and cheese is one of my favorite sides! Love that you added bacon!
I could definitely dig this! I love that this hits those mac and cheese notes without making you feel weighed down!
This is the BOMB. I made it for my fiancee who is a serious meat and potatoes guys. Trying to bring him to the low carb way if life. He LOVED this. I added an extra clove of garlic and some extra bacon. I also used cheddar as I couldn’t find the specific cheese. Very yummy. Few leftovers on purpose so we can have it for lunch tomorrow.
Made another similar recipe and was disappointed when the sauce ended up splitting. Will the Xantham gum prevent this, for this recipe?
It should. I haven’t had any complaints on this one. Make sure you don’t overcook the sauce though.
I really should stop making this!! I’m not sure how you get 6 servings from this recipe – the most I ever get is 3. haha I’m so thankful my SO doesn’t like melted cheese because then I never ever have to share. Honestly – this is one of my favorite recipes, and I am so glad you shared it!
Made this awesome recipe last night for a mac & cheese party. It was a hit! I did add some diced hot peppers and ramps. Went to the party 2 hours late and it was the first pan to be completely empty
I made this with roasted cauliflower – less watery and an additional layer of flavor…yummmmmmm