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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    Published: Jul 31, 2016 Modified: Jun 2, 2022 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe

    This Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is easy, cheesy, nutritious, and sure to please even picky eaters!

    Overhead shot of cauliflower Mac and cheese garnished with herbs on a grey plate with a spoon on the side on a blue cloth.

    This week, Sunday Supper is all about kid favorites. When I was growing up, my siblings and I always looked forward to macaroni and cheese night. We actually loved the stuff that came in the blue box, weirdly-orange cheese coating and all!

    But I think we can all agree that homemade mac and cheese tastes much better, and is also better for you. For me, the only problem with homemade mac and cheese is that it involves too many steps at the end of the day, when I am tired and hungry and just want to get dinner on the table ASAP.

    Enter the slow cooker!

    Side view of cauliflower Mac and cheese garnished with herbs on a grey plate with a spoon on the side on a blue cloth.

    If you are a regular reader, you know that I love love LOVE my slow cooker. I am constantly on the lookout for recipes where I can throw ingredients in, mix them up, and then let the slow cooker do the rest.

    And now I have one for mac and cheese, woohoo! I am so excited that we can now have homemade mac and cheese anytime, without a big hassle at the end of the day.

    BONUS - This recipe incorporates minced cauliflower, which becomes soft with cooking and covered with cheese, so the kids don't even know they are eating a vegetable right in with their mac and cheese.

    Then I serve with a spinach salad or steamed veggie on the side, and they walk away from dinner having eaten TWO vegetables! Score one for mom! For even more nutrition, use a high fiber macaroni.

    And if you're looking for another great and and cheese recipe, try out this Jalapeno Artichoke Mac and Cheese! Or for something with an extra kick, try Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese.

    Overhead shot of cauliflower Mac and cheese garnished with herbs on a grey plate with a spoon on the side on a blue cloth.

    Interested in more recipes packed with hidden nutrition? The cauliflower and butternut squash in my Hidden Veggie Sloppy Joe Sliders will go undetected by even the pickiest of eaters!

    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

    I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    📋 Recipe Card

    Side view of cauliflower Mac and cheese garnished with herbs on a grey plate with a spoon on the side on a blue cloth.

    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    Easy, cheesy, nutritious, and sure to please even picky eaters!
    4.29 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Entree
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 581 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 12 ounces elbow macaroni (I used a high fiber version)
    • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
    • 1 cup minced cauliflower florets (approximately 1 medium head)
    • 2 ½ cups milk
    • 12 ounces evaporated milk (1 can)
    • ½ tablespoon yellow mustard (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add the pasta, 2 and ½ cups shredded cheddar, minced cauliflower, milk, evaporated milk, and yellow mustard to the slow cooker. Mix well.
      12 ounces elbow macaroni, 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup minced cauliflower florets, 2 ½ cups milk, 12 ounces evaporated milk, ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
    • Cook on low for 3-4 hours until most of the liquid is absorbed.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, then cook another 15-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and all the liquid is absorbed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 865IU | Vitamin C: 9.1mg | Calcium: 686mg | Iron: 1.3mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    CHECK OUT ALL OF THIS WEEK’S #SUNDAYSUPPER RECIPES BELOW!

    Many thanks to Ellen from Family Around The Table for hosting this fun event!

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    And check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for some great kitchen products I love!

    Enjoy!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Chas Greener

      January 17, 2019 at 10:55 am

      Love this recipe and I can't wait to give it a try. Thank you so very much for sharing.

      Reply
    2. Linda on Poinsettia Drive

      January 16, 2019 at 10:20 pm

      Hi, I would like to invite you to my blog party "The Classy Flamingos" held each Wednesday thru Friday. You'll get large picture exposure and shout outs. You may get PINKED and get even more exposure! I hope you'll come join us. ~Linda poinsettiadr.com

      Reply
    3. Karren Haller

      October 03, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      We are, well I am preparing more vegan meals and have been looking for recipes we would like, we have not had mac and cheese, well forever, I love the incorporation of the minced cauliflower. I pinned so I can make this soon.

      Thanks for sharing on Oh My Heartsie Girls Linky Party this week!
      Have a wonderful week!

      Reply
    4. Frugal Hausfrau

      August 18, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      I love Cauliflower Mac & Cheese but I didn't know you could make it in a slow-cooker! Great idea!

      Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!

      Mollie

      Reply
    5. indah nuria

      August 14, 2016 at 10:19 am

      great idea, Kristin. I have never add cauliflowers on Mac and Cheese but it looks divine!. Thanks for sharing it with #OMHGWW 🙂

      Reply
    6. Michelle

      August 13, 2016 at 11:44 pm

      I love hiding veggies in food!
      Luckily my kids are really good with veggies but extra NEVER hurts! ?
      Thanks!
      Michelle

      Reply
    7. Lisa @ Fun Money Mom

      August 13, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      I would have never thought to put cauliflower in Mac & Cheese but your recipe sounds awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!

      Reply
    8. Hannah @ Eat, Drink, and Save Money

      August 12, 2016 at 1:09 pm

      I love this! Yummy!

      Thanks for linking up with Share the Wealth Sunday!

      Reply
    9. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom

      August 12, 2016 at 9:08 am

      This looks and sounds so amazing! I just love that cauliflower cheese combo too!

      Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

      Wishing you a lovely weekend.
      xoxo

      Reply
    10. Colleen

      August 12, 2016 at 8:11 am

      This sounds delightful!!! Happy Foodie FriDIY!

      Reply
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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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