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About This Recipe
This cauliflower buffalo chicken mac and cheese is seriously the most sneaky, delicious healthy dish! It’s lightened up in a variety of ways but taste so indulgent! It’s the best, easy weeknight meal when you want to whip up something quick with a few hidden veggies that no one will ever know about!
I love this dish because it has the best creamy buffalo cheddar cheese sauce with just the right amount of kick!
Plus the great thing is how easy it is to customize to your preference. You can use more or less buffalo sauce depending on your spice preference (or sub for mild buffalo sauce), make gluten-free or dairy-free, and use up your favorite combination of cheeses!
This incredible low carb cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is always a great meal prep option! It can easily be stored in individual portions and reheats like a dream!
You can enjoy this meal on its own or add a side of air fryer broccoli or green beans for a balanced and complete meal! You could even turn this recipe into easy bite-sized cups (like in this mac and cheese bites recipe). There are so many different ways to enjoy this lightened up dish!
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Full of creamy, cheese flavor! No one will ever guess you snuck in extra veggies!
- Made with just the right amount of kick but heat preference can easily be adjusted!
- The perfect weeknight meal ready in just 30 minutes! Guaranteed to be loved by the whole family!
- An excellent high protein option for meal prep. Over 28 grams of protein per serving!
- Make gluten free or dairy free with just a few easy modifications!
- Elbow macaroni – or any short pasta of choice
- Cauliflower – I used chopped fresh cauliflower florets which cook quickly with the pasta. But you can also use frozen cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice if you prefer to make it even easier! Buying already chopped cauliflower florets is a great time saving option too. Broccoli also works great here!
- Olive oil – or any other oil of choice.
- Onion
- Ground chicken – the ground chicken is yummy in this but feel free to use any chicken here. You can also use chicken breast or even rotisserie chicken to make it even easier!
- Butter
- All-purpose flour – sub for gluten-free flour if needed. My favorite gluten-free flours to bring about the most similar flavor/texture are Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 or King Arthur Measure for Measure.
- Milk – I used unsweetened almond milk but any milk of choice works! Just make sure it’s plain flavored and not vanilla.
- Chicken broth – vegetable broth or beef broth would also work if it’s all you have on hand. To kick up the protein, you could also use bone broth here.
- Buffalo sauce – using 1/4 cup of medium hot buffalo sauce will keep this dish fairly mild. For more of a kick, use 1/3 cup, or even more. You can also sub for mild buffalo sauce if you want even less heat which is typically what I use when I make this.
- Cheese – I used sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover grilled or pulled chicken like my basic shredded chicken instead of ground chicken.
- Add extra veggies! Toss in some chopped celery and carrots for extra veggies and fiber!
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top! Take this recipe up a notch by adding a few breadcrumbs on top and broiling in the oven for a few minutes to get crispy!
- Add more cheeses! Add some sprinkles of parmesan cheese or blue cheese crumbles to your dish to elevate the flavor and cheesiness even more!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 5-6 minutes, then add in the cauliflower. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. When done, rinse with cool water and drain well. Set aside and wipe the pot clean.
2. Add olive oil to the pot and set to medium heat. When warm, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the ground chicken and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the pieces as you go, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Remove from heat.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large skillet to medium heat and add the butter. As it starts to melt, whisk in the flour. Then whisk in the milk, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Continue whisking frequently for 4-5 minutes or until mixture becomes thick. Then remove from heat and stir in the buffalo sauce and both cheeses. Taste and add any salt or seasonings to taste.
4. To the skillet with the buffalo cheese, fold in the macaroni, cauliflower, chicken and onions mix until everything is well combined. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper to serve.
Buffalo Mac and Cheese Tips!
- Don’t over cook your pasta or cauliflower! This can lead to your dish becoming mushy or watery.
- Make for meal prep! This creamy mac is an awesome choice for meal prep.
- Keep moist when reheating! A great way to reheat leftovers is to place in a microwave-safe container, adding a few drops of water or milk and place a damp paper towel over the top. Then microwave for 1-2 minutes on 70% stirring every 30 seconds or so, or until heated through.
Why is my buffalo style cheese sauce watery?
Be sure not to overcook your cauliflower in your mac and cheese. This can sometimes cause the sauce to be watery. Also make sure your pasta is cooked al dente so it won’t be mushy as it mixes with the buffalo cheese sauce or when you reheat.
Is this buffalo chicken cauliflower mac and cheese spicy?
Be sure to use your favorite buffalo sauce for this dish! Using medium hot buffalo sauce will keep this dish fairly mild. For more of a kick, use 1/3 cup, or even more. You can also sub for mild buffalo sauce if you want even less heat.
What pair wells with this mac and cheese?
I love pairing this main dish with a side of green beans, broccoli or a side salad!
More Macaroni Recipes To Check Out
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 12 oz. large elbow macaroni or short pasta of choice
- 12 oz. cauliflower, roughly chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced (75g)
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 Tbsp butter (15g)
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (15g)
- 1.5 cups plain unsweetened almond milk (360g) or milk of choice
- 1 cup chicken broth (240g)
- 1/2 tsp salt more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper more to taste
- 1/4-1/3 cup buffalo sauce* (60g)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (112g)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (112g)
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Instructions
- Cook pasta and cauliflower: Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Sprinkle generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook for 5-6 minutes, then add in the cauliflower. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. When done, rinse with cool water and drain well. Set aside and wipe the pot clean.
- Cook onions and chicken: Add olive oil to the pot and set to medium heat. When warm, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the ground chicken and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the pieces as you go, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Remove from heat.
- Prepare buffalo cheese: Meanwhile, bring a large skillet to medium heat and add the butter. As it starts to melt, whisk in the flour. Then whisk in the milk, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Continue whisking frequently for 4-5 minutes or until mixture becomes thick. Then remove from heat and stir in the buffalo sauce and both cheeses. Taste and add any salt or seasonings to taste.
- Make the buffalo mac: To the skillet with the buffalo cheese, fold in the macaroni, cauliflower, chicken and onions mix until everything is well combined.
- Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper to serve.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
