Creamy mascarpone takes the sauce for low carb cauliflower mac and cheese to a whole new level! Pair with some lemon and roasted asparagus and you have the perfect springtime dish. This post is sponsored by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
If you know anything about me, you know I have a true love of all things dairy. So when the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board reached out to collaborate with me, I was all in. And then, when I realized it was for macaroni and cheese recipes, I had that sinking feeling that this collaboration wouldn’t work out. I just don’t DO pasta recipes anymore, not even gluten-free ones, because that’s not what my audience comes here for. But I decided to take a chance and propose a low carb cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, where cauliflower stands in for the pasta. I waited with baited breath and when they said yes, I cheered a little. I think they really liked the idea of a healthier, low carb option.
And really, it’s all about the cheese, after all.
Then came the time to choose which cheese or cheeses to feature in my recipe. With the dizzying array of cheeses made in the great state of Wisconsin, I had a tough time narrowing down my options. I think of Wisconsin cheese as primarily cheddar but no, they make everything from brie to feta to mascarpone. Hey…mascarpone! I love that Italian cousin to cream cheese, it’s such an surprise to taste and realize that all that sweet flavor comes solely from the cream itself. It’s like cheese magic! I’ve used it many times in dessert recipes. Was I up for the challenge of trying to create a savoury mascarpone dish?
I think you know the answer to this. I was indeed up for the challenge and thought a spring-inspired dish with a touch of lemon and perhaps some roasted asparagus might do the trick. And yes, it certainly did the trick. It was such a great marrying of flavours. It’s definitely more of an adult dish and I didn’t even try this one on my kids!
Please see my low carb Lemony Mascarpone Mac N Cheese on All Things Mac And Cheese.
Nutrition: Serves 6.
Food energy: 236kcal; Total fat: 21.53g; Calories from fat: 193; Cholesterol: 54mg; Carbohydrate: 8.38g; Total dietary fiber: 3.48g
Protein: 5.35g; Sodium: 216mg
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. All recipes, photography, thoughts and opinions are my own.
Paula - bell'alimento says
That is a whole bowl of lemony goodness right there. Pass me a fork please ; )
The Food Hunter says
I love mascarpone and I’m always looking for new ways to use it!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
As much as I love my pasta this cauliflower substitution sounds and looks fabulous!!
Sandy @ RE says
Oh, my, goodness. I want a big bowl now. Always love cauliflower substituted for rice, but haven’t thought of mac and cheese! 🙂
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I always see mascarpone in desserts but never like this! This is pure GENIUS!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
I don’t think I have ever has mascarpone in this way before…cool idea!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Forget the kids! I would definitely want to keep this cauliflower mac all to myself.
[email protected] Mom says
I love that you stick to your guns and don’t steer from the focus of your blog and your readers. Happy they gladly accepted your awesome recipe! It looks fabulous!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
We always have mascarpone on hand thanks to my husband’s great love of it – this sounds amazing!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
I am all about the Wisconsin cheese…they are so nice there. In fact I think everyone in Wisconsin is nice, At least that was my experience there. Anyway, you are talking my language with this recipe, it’s gorgeous. Now I must hop over and get the details!!
Kim Beaulieu says
Carolyn this is fantastic. I love that you used lemon and asparagus in this. I can’t get enough of either lately.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Your cauliflower mac and cheese looks fabulous! I find my girls (and me too!) can’t resist any vege drenched with a good cheese sauce! They will love this!
Nutmeg Nanny says
You took low carb to a whole new level! Love that you took mascarpone and went the savory route. It’s so easy to make it sweet but it takes a lot of thought to get it right for savory. This looks fab!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
This looks incredibly comforting and delicious. The lemon was a brilliant addition!
Cookin Canuck says
Mac ‘n cheese really is all about the cheese, and this cauliflower version is hit out of the park with that creamy mascarpone sauce!
Gina | Running to the Kitchen says
Love marscapone in mac n cheese and normally wouldn’t think to go the lemony route with it but I bet it’s awesome!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I could totally get behind this cauliflower mac and cheese!
Susan says
Made this yesterday…used Meyer Lemon…fantastic!
Donna says
Unfortunately, I could not find the recipe anywhere on the linked site, Carolyn. Maybe you could update with a direct link ? ?
Paula Burnes says
This recipe isn’t on the Wisconsin cheese site any longer. Is there any way you can re-post it? I too have an excess of mascarpone and would love to have the recipe!
Carolyn says
Hmmm, I wil have to see what i can do about that.
Susie Brock says
Hi. Is there a way to get this recipe? Mascarpone Mac and cheese? Am making the cheese tonight…
Carolyn says
Unfortunately, I don’t still have this one. They never told me they were removing it from the website… I may have to see if I can re-construct it.
Jenelle says
This recipe is no longer available.
Amanda Butler says
This link still isn’t working 🙁
Carolyn says
Sorry but they seem to have taken down the site. There isn’t anything I can do.
Teri Swift says
The link for marscapone mac & cheese no longer works. Can you update link or post the full recipe?
Carolyn says
Unfortunately, no. They pulled the plug without telling me and I have no way of getting the recipe back!