Protein Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
Cauliflower just hacked mac and cheese, added protein, and stopped apologizing for being nutritious.
This protein cauliflower mac and cheese pampers cravings while keeping things light for women who love smart comfort.
It’s creamy rebellion, veggie confidence, and zero tolerance for bland bowls.
Protein Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
This protein cauliflower mac and cheese blends roasted florets, pasta, and a creamy vegan sauce into a filling, balanced main.
Ingredients
- Pasta macaroni or shells: 120 g
- Cauliflower florets: 2 cups 180 g
- White beans or chickpeas cooked: ½ cup (90 g)
- Cashews soaked: ¼ cup (35 g)
- Unsweetened soy milk: ½ cup 120 ml
- Nutritional yeast: 2½ tbsp
- Olive oil: 1 tbsp
- Garlic minced: 3 cloves
- Onion powder: ½ tsp
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Mustard powder: ¼ tsp
- Turmeric: ¼ tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Lemon juice: 1 tsp
- Water: as required
Instructions
- Roast cauliflower with half the olive oil at 200°C for fifteen minutes until golden.
- Boil pasta in salted water until tender, drain, and reserve.
- Blend roasted cauliflower, beans, cashews, soy milk, yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Heat remaining oil in a pan and sauté garlic briefly until aromatic.
- Pour blended sauce into the pan and warm gently.
- Add onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, and turmeric, stirring constantly.
- Adjust consistency using small amounts of water.
- Fold cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Simmer for two minutes, then remove from heat.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Total Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 22 g
Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving %DV – Top 5)
- Vitamin C: 62%
- Calcium: 28%
- Folate: 24%
- Iron: 22%
- Magnesium: 20%
Additional Notes / Flavor Tips
- Roast cauliflower longer for deeper, nutty flavor.
- Add chilli flakes for bold contrast.
- Rest briefly before serving for thicker, clingy sauce perfection.
