This rich and cheesy Keto Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the ultimate in gluten free keto comfort food. Cauliflower can do anything, and this cauliflower mac and cheese is the proof.
Keto Mac and Cheese? Is it too good to be true?
Nope! Cauliflower really can do anything. While cauliflower mac and cheese isn't exactly the same as true mac and cheese with traditional gluten based pasta, cauliflower sure is a great substitution. This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe is the ultimate in keto comfort food. It is also the perfect dish to bring to a keto potluck if you're looking for keto casserole recipes.
Crispy roasted cauliflower and tender chicken coated in Buffalo sauce, mixed together with a creamy blue cheese sauce ... trust me when I tell you that this will be the first empty dish on the table.
Why Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the best option for gluten free mac and cheese
The key to making a really delicious cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is roasting the cauliflower instead of steaming it. When you steam cauliflower or even simmer it directly in water, it absorbs all the moisture like a sponge and can turn your dish into a soupy mess. In contrast, roasting keeps the cauliflower dry and imparts a beautiful flavor and texture. That roasted flavor combined with the classic zing of Buffalo sauce and creaminess of the blue cheese sauce is a true crowd pleaser.
Some fun ways to mix up this keto mac and cheese recipe for budget friendly meals:
- Swap the buffalo sauce for pesto sauce, and use spinach instead of blue cheese for a chicken pesto mac and cheese
- Use keto taco sauce instead of buffalo sauce, shredded Mexican cheese instead of blue cheese, and ground beef or pork instead of chicken for a keto taco mac and cheese
- Have fun and combine your favorite protein, sauce, and veggies for a custom keto mac and cheese
- Omit a protein option and double the cauliflower for a vegetarian keto version of the original recipe
In addition to this Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe, check out some of my other Favorite Keto Casserole Recipes:
- Big Mac Casserole
- Loaded Baked Cauliflower Casserole
- Keto Chili Dog Pot Pie Casserole
- Low Carb Green Bean Casserole
- Eggs Benedict Casserole
- Three Cheese Ham and Broccoli Casserole
- Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Cabbage Casserole
- Cabbage Noodle Keto Tuna Casserole
Keto Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 ½ pounds), trimmed and cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Sea salt and ground black pepper (this is my favorite salt)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (I get my chicken here)
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup finely Parmesan cheese
- 1 rib celery, diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line the cauliflower in a single layer across a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over top and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes or until tender and golden brown.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook until it is golden brown and cooked all the way through, about 8 minutes. Add the buffalo wing sauce to the chicken and toss to coat.
- In a large sauce pan, heat the butter and garlic over medium heat. Cook until the butter starts to brown slightly and the garlic is fragrant. Then add the heavy cream, 1 cup of the mozzarella, ¼ cup of the blue cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir to melt and mix in the cheeses and then reduce the heat to low.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large casserole dish. Layer the chicken over top and then pour the cheese sauce over top. Use a rubber spatula to mix the layers together just slightly.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, blue cheese and celery on top. Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until it is bubbling and golden brown on top.
Notes
Net Carbs Per Serving: 6.6g
Nutrition
- Calories: 416
- Fat: 33.7g
- Carbohydrates: 8.8g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Protein: 22.2g
Keywords: keto mac and cheese, low carb casserole recipes, Keto buffalo chicken, real food recipes, low carb Mac and cheese, low carb chicken recipes
Craveable Keto: Your Low-Carb, High-Fat Roadmap to Weight Loss and Wellness
Check out my other books - HERE
This book has more than 145 recipes, each with a full color photo and nutritional analysis. It is packed with over 100 pages of resources to help make your low carb, keto lifestyle easier. Let’s look at some of the recipes shall we?
BREAKFASTS
- Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Pinwheels
- Cheesy Chorizo Breakfast Biscuits
- Breakfast Pizza
- Baked Eggs with Chorizo and Ricotta
- Baked Egg Jars
- 13 Jon's Special
- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
- Reuben Frittata
- Radishes O/Brien
- Pastrami Breakfast Hash
- Pizza Eggs
- Pancetta, White Cheddar and Spinach Frittata
- Oven-Roasted Garlic and Herb Home Fries
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
- Kyndra's Favorite Buttery Herbed Eggs
- French Toast Egg Puffs
- Keto Everything Bagels
- Creamy Herbed Bacon and Egg Skillet
- Easy Peasy Maple Blender Pancakes
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Waffles
- Boosted Coffee
- Vanilla Coffee Creamer
SNACKS AND STARTERS
- Parmesan Italian Breadsticks
- Warm Mediterranean Goat Cheese Dip
- Tuna Salad Pickle Boats
- Avocado Feta Salsa
- Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Sour Lemon Gummy Snacks
- Green Goddess Chicken Dip
- Garlic Dill Baked Cucumber Chips
- Fried Mozzarella Sticks
- Creamy Avocado Pesto Deviled Eggs
- Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
- Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs
- Bacon Chicken Ranch Deviled Eggs
- Baked Avocado Fries
- Asiago Rosemary Bacon Biscuits
SOUPS AND SALADS
- Zuppa Toscana
- Smoked Sausage and Kale Soup
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- Cheesy Ham and Cauliflower Soup
- Creamy Lasagna Soup
- Mac Daddy Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Mock Potato Salad
- Dill Chicken Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Asian Chicken Salad
- Creamy Caesar Salad with Garlic Parmesan Cheese Crisps
- Cobb Salad
- Chef Salad Skewers
- Deviled Ham and Egg Salad Wraps
MAIN DISHES
- Warm Taco Slaw
- Steak Fajita Bowls
- Everything Bagel Dogs
- Spaghetti Squash Pork Lo Mein
- Slow Cooker Spiced Pork Tenderloin
- Slow Cooker Chinese 5 Spice Beef
- Shrimp and Cheese Cauliflower Rice Stuffed Peppers
- Seared Scallops with Sherry Beurre Blanc
- Sausage, Shrimp, and Chicken Jambalaya
- Reuben Biscuit Sandwiches
- Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Peanut Chicken Skillet
- Pan-Seared Chicken With Balsamic Cream Sauce, Mushrooms and Onions
- Lemon Sherry Chicken
- Lasagna Zucchini Roll-Ups
- "Just like the real thing" Lasagna
- Fried Cabbage with Kielbasa
- Barbecue Dry Rub Ribs
- Dill Pickle Juice Brined Fish and Chips
- Crispy Chicken Thigh and Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Zucchini Pasta
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza
- Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Cabbage Casserole
- Best Ever Fork and Knife Pub Burger
- Beef Stuffed Poblanos with Lime Crema
- Asian Beef Skewers
SIDES
- Oven Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Dijon Vinaigrette
- Mascarpone Creamed Greens
- Green Beans with Shallots and Pancetta
- Ginger Lime Slaw
- Dill Pickle Coleslaw
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Fiesta Cauliflower Rice
- Creamy Herbed Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash
- Cranberry Pecan Cauliflower Rice Stuffing
- Chorizo and Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Charred Asian Asparagus and Peppers
- Butter Roasted Radishes
- Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin with Ham
- Lemon Caper Whole Roasted Cauliflower
- Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic Mascarpone Cream Sauce
SWEET TREATS
- Salted Caramel Nut Brittle
- Dark Chocolate Mousse
- Maple Butter Pecan Truffles
- Mason Jar Chocolate Ice Cream
- Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites
- Flourless Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Cheesecake Balls
- Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Blueberry Mojito Ice Pops
- Almond Joy Chia Seed Pudding
- Fresh Whipped Cream
DRESSINGS, SAUCES, SEASONINGS, AND MORE
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Garlic Parmesan Caesar Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
- Asian Vinaigrette
- Dill Pickle Vinaigrette
- 2-Minute Mayo
- Cajun Mayo
- Walnut Avocado Pesto
- Bacon Jam
- Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce
- Pizza Sauce
- Enchilada Sauce
- Not-So-Secret Burger Sauce
- Cranberry Ginger Quick Jam
- Seasoning Salt
- Mexican Seasoning Blend
- Cajun Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Barbecue Dry Rub
- Savory Breading Mix
- Nut-Free Keto Breading Mix
- Pizza Crust
- Nut-Free Pizza Crust
Jo says
Sounds delicious !! please confirm it is 1/2 CUP crumbled blue cheese divided -- since the first addition is 1/4 cup I am assuming the second addition would be 1/4 cup 😎 Love, love, love your recipes !! Thanks
Kyndra Holley says
Yes, that is correct. 1/4 cup in the sauce and the remaining on top.
Paulette says
This was outstanding!! Roasting the cauliflower added so much to the “chew” factor. And the flavor is irresistible. My husband said I can make this all the time!
★★★★★
Melodie says
Morning!
Writing from France !
Not sure what buffalo wing sauce is- help!
Best wishes
Mélodie
Ps we are enjoying the craveable Keto book! Somehow I have managed to convert my 3 adult daughters and their partners to a more Keto friendly lifestyle! 🎉
Victoria says
Omg I literally could eat the whole casserole! My 13 yr old daughter loved it too! Do you think it will freeze well?
★★★★★
Katrina says
Delicious, creamy and rich.. I’m trying to like cauliflower and this makes it delicious 🙂
★★★★★
Sheila says
What can I use instead of blue cheese? My partner hates it. Could I make this with ranch dressing instead?
Kyndra Holley says
Ranch would not be a good substitute as the recipe calls for blue cheese crumbles, not blue cheese dressing. You can simply omit the blue cheese crumbles and add extra of the other cheeses. You could also sub feta or goat cheese if your partner likes those.
Chris McAfee says
I was going to initially make this however at the last minute decided Lobster Mac instead if chicken
I'll let you know how it turns out
Candace Weir says
I made this on Sunday and it was amazing! I am always a little skeptical with "buffalo" flavored items as, for me, it can sometimes be overwhelming. But, I found with this recipe, the mix of cheese really help temper the flavor. It not about the heat at all, I like spicy food. I probably just had one bad "buffalo inspired" dish that turned me off at some point. Anyway, fantastic recipe. It is very rich and satisfying. I even shared it with the office and everyone loved it and none of them are watching carbs like me! Bravo!
★★★★★
Penny Frick says
What can I sub for the buffalo wing sauce? Thanks
robin says
Can you sub Feta or Goat cheese for the Blue Cheese?
NAKETA CHRISTIE says
Amazing! So rich and flavorful! Will definitely be making again.
★★★★★
Tony Oudshoorn says
I don't see in the recipe any notation as to when to add the celery. Please suggest.
Kyndra Holley says
Its in the last step. Step 6
Janice Gerlisky says
My non-keto family ate this like they were hungry hostages! I cooked the cauliflower on the grill (we like the char) added some bacon and sauteed onions. My 16 & 17 year olds said they'd be happy to eat it at least once a week. So Dang Good! Thanks for recipe!
★★★★★
Kyndra Holley says
Thanks so much for the awesome review. The hungry hostage part gave me a good laugh
Mechelle says
I love this! Its on our rotation of yummy favorites, however wondering if you have tried to make it ahead and pop in oven like the next day? Do you think it would work well?
Amy B says
Are there any subs for the blue cheese?
Kyndra Holley says
You can use any cheeses that you prefer in this recipe
Kelly Law says
How much is a serving please?
★★★★★