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Welcome to my new favorite comfort food with a healthy twist: Cheesy Cauliflower Rice.  If Mac and Cheese met Cauliflower, fell in love and had a baby, it would be this Cheesy Cauliflower Rice. This recipe is so simple with just the flavors from the cauliflower - plus a few other things to help it come together.

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Rice

Welcome to my new favorite comfort food with a healthy twist: Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Rice.  If Mac and Cheese met Cauliflower, fell in love and had a baby, it would be this Cheesy Cauliflower Rice. This recipe is so simple with just the flavors from the cauliflower - plus a few other things to help it come together. 

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cauliflower, healthy dinner, healthy sides, sides, vegetable, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 277 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 1 head Cauliflower
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 cup Vegetable Broth, divided (½ to cook the cauliflower, ½ to make the cheese sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Milk, 1% (low fat, whole, or Skim also work)
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon Butter, salted (unsalted or Ghee also work)
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped Optional for garnish

Instructions

Prep Ahead

  1. Make the cauliflower rice by first cutting off the cauliflower florets from the head. Add the florets to a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower resembles the size of rice.  NOTE: Be sure not to over process so that it becomes breadcrumb size.

    Making cauliflower rice at home is so simple with a food processor! This is great in this Cheesy Cauliflower Rice Recipe!
  2. If you have a small processor, do this in batches and fill it half way with the florets, then pulse, empty, fill again and so on until you have completed it all.  If you are not going to be cooking tonight, then put in a storage bag in the fridge.

  3. If you are using parsley for garnish, rough chop the parsley and store in a baggie.

Cook

  1. Measure out ¼ cup of milk and whisk in the corn starch with a fork until completely dissolved.  Add another ¾ cup of milk to the mixture and whisk again.  Set aside until ready to add to the pan.

  2. Preheat a large skillet on high heat.  Add a teaspoon of oil and spread around.  Then add the processed cauliflower rice to the pan with salt and pepper.  Stir to mix, then cook for 2-3 minutes to lightly sear the cauliflower rice.  

  3. Next add ½ cup of the vegetable broth and stir to ensure all of the rice gets moisture.  Cook for 5 minutes stirring every minute or so to cook evenly.  Transfer the cauliflower rice to a large bowl.

    Cauliflower rice cooking in a skillet with broth for Cheesy Cauliflower Rice.
  4. Using the same pan, add the ghee (or butter) and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.  Then add the milk and corn starch mixture whisking briskly as you add and as it comes back up to a simmer.  It will start to thicken after it warms back up to a simmer. 

  5. Once back up to a simmer, turn the heat down to the lowest setting and begin to add the shredded cheese a little at a time, mixing as you add until it melts, then adding more and continuing until all cheese is added.  

    Whisk mixing shredded cheddar cheese into cheese sauce in a skillet for Cheesy Cauliflower Rice recipe.
  6. Now, you can stir the cauliflower rice back in.  Cook on low heat for a final 5 minutes until the cauliflower rice becomes thick and gooey and cheesy and delicious!  Serve, garnish with parsley for color, and enjoy!

    Cheesy Cauliflower Rice in a pan with a spoon.

Recipe Notes

  • Can I make this cauliflower rice recipe ahead?
    You can make the raw cauliflower rice and store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. However, if air gets in, you may start to see it turning brown, so just keep an eye on it. You can cook the cauliflower rice and cheese and store it in an airtight container in the fridge also for up to 5 days. To warm it, place it in a pan on the stove and add a splash of water if needed to help loosen it. Warm over low-medium heat for 5-10 minutes.

  • Can Cheesy Cauliflower Rice be frozen?
    You can cook this recipe and store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 6 months. I like to place it in a vacuum sealed bag so that all air is removed and it is flat for easy storage. To cook it, you can place the frozen cheesy cauliflower rice in a casserole dish in the oven at 350 F degrees for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. You can also thaw it in the fridge the night before and warm it on the stove as mentioned in the previous question/answer.