Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

This low carb, keto-friendly cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is absolutely to die for!  A sure crowd pleaser!  Less than 7 ingredients, this recipe will be on major repeat for months to come!

There are only two ways you can get me to eat cauliflower – this Cauliflower Buffalo Dip and this Instant Pot Mac & Cheese recipe.

When I first served our Instant Pot Buffalo Cauliflower Dip at a party with family a few months back, I didn’t initially tell anyone it was made with cauliflower as opposed to chicken.  People could hardly believe it when I broke the news!  It’s so creamy, cheesy and absolutely delicious!

Cauliflower is rich in fiber, aids in digestion, has been found to increase iron absorption and aid in weight loss for soon.  Granted, we are topping this dish with cheese, but it a good alternative to pasta.

I have two boys in our household and they are always my taste testers! They typically love a good pasta dish so telling this was a cauliflower dish was a gamble.  The verdict – a huge win!  

I can’t wait for you all to give this recipe a try and let us know your thoughts!  

Now, let’s dive into the good stuff – how to make this delicious Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese!

If you’re looking for a few other Instant Pot recipes to try this week, here are a few of my favorites: 

• Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
• Instant Pot 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese Topped With Maple Bacon
• Instant Pot Turkey Mushroom Bolognese
• Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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___OUR FAVORITE INSTANT POT ACCESSORIES __

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TIPS FOR MAKING INSTANT POT CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

1. You’ll notice this caluiflower mac and cheese recipe is made with a tad bit of hot sauce.  Don’t be scared!  You will hardly be able to taste the hot sauce at all, but it does add a great bit of extra flavor.  I used Frank’s RedHot sauce, but any hot sauce will do.
2. If you’re interested in making this even more creamy, feel free to add a tad more half and half and sharp cheddar cheese.  
3. Speaking of shredded cheddar cheese, where possible, try to shred your own as opposed to adding from the bag.  Pre-packaged shredded cheese has added agents to keep it from clumping in the bag.  That can make it harder for the shredded cheese to melt in this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe.  
4. If you want to add even more flavor, feel free to add other cheeses like blue cheese, Parmesan cheese and so much more!  

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INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

SERVES 4 – You can double the recipe, if needed

• 1 head of fresh cauliflower, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic pepper (you can also use ground black pepper, if preferred)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Franks Red Hot sauce) 
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 
• 1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (you can also use mustard powder) 
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

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HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

1. Place your cauliflower pieces into a heatproof bowl, Instant Pot safe pan or steam basket. 
2. Add water to inner cooking pot of your Instant Pot.  Place your heatproof bowl or steamer basket onto a trivet and then lower the trivet into your Instant Pot.
3. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot.  Select the ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ function and adjust the pressure to High.  Cook for 1 minute.
4. When the timer beeps, let the pressure naturally release for 1 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Unlock your Instant Pot lid and carefully remove the trivet and steamer basket. Set aside for now.  
6. Carefully pour out the water from the bottom of the Instant Pot. 
7. Once water is removed, select the ‘Cancel’ buttom to reset the cooking function.  Press the ‘Saute’ function and stir in hot sauce, cream cheese, half and half, mustard and shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste until all contents are melted and combined.
8. Stir in cauliflower until well combined.  
9. Taste and add any additional salt and pepper, where needed.
10. Serve and watch it go in minutes!

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Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

4.61 from 23 votes

Keto friendly cauliflower mac and cheese made in minutes in your Instant Pot!

SERVES/MAKES: 4 people

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 head fresh cauliflower, cup into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic pepper (you can also use ground black pepper, if preferred)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Franks Red Hot sauce)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (you can also use mustard powder)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Place your cauliflower pieces into a heatproof bowl, Instant Pot safe pan or steam basket.  
• Add water to inner cooking pot of your Instant Pot.  Place your heatproof bowl or steamer basket onto a trivet and then lower the trivet into your Instant Pot.
• Secure the lid on your Instant Pot.  Select the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' function and adjust the pressure to High.  Cook for 1 minute.
• When the timer beeps, let the pressure naturally release for 1 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
• Unlock your Instant Pot lid and carefully remove the trivet. Set aside for now.
• Carefully pour out the water from the bottom of the Instant Pot. 
• Once water is removed, select the 'Cancel' buttom to reset the cooking function.  Press the 'Saute' function and stir in hot sauce, cream cheese, half and half, mustard and shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste until all contents are melted and combined.
• Stir in cauliflower until well combined.  
• Taste and add any additional salt and pepper, where needed.
• Serve and watch it go in minutes!

Tips / Notes:

AUTHOR || A LILY LOVE AFFAIR || WWW.ALILYLOVEAFFAIR.COM

TIPS FOR MAKING INSTANT POT CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

1. You’ll notice this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is made with a tad bit of hot sauce.  Don’t be scared!  You will hardly be able to taste the hot sauce at all, but it does add a great bit of extra flavor.  I used Frank’s RedHot sauce, but any hot sauce will do.
2. If you’re interested in making this even more creamy, feel free to add a tad more half and half and sharp cheddar cheese.  
3. Speaking of shredded cheddar cheese, where possible, try to shred your own as opposed to adding from the bag.  Pre-packaged shredded cheese has added agents to keep it from clumping in the bag.  That can make it harder for the shredded cheese to melt in this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe.  
4. If you want to add even more flavor, feel free to add other cheeses like blue cheese, Parmesan cheese and so much more!  

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