This Air fryer Cauliflower Mac and Cheese combines tender cauliflower and macaroni in a rich, cheesy sauce, then air-fried until golden and crisp. It’s the ultimate cheesy cauliflower casserole—perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Ready in just 30 minutes.
In this recipe, we have replaced half of the macaroni with cauliflower, and I must say its simply fantastic. In that way, we are having less carb than usual and double the flavours. Try my only cauliflower cheese recipe in the air fryer for an option.
I've made this dish at least twenty times, and I always hear, "Do we have more for tomorrow, Mum?" That's a testament to how delicious and kid-approved it is!
This caulifower macaroni and cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser casserole, perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual weeknight dinner or a grand Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. I have used a 28 cm Oval dish and Instant Pot Vortex Versa zone (8.5L) to make this cheesy casserole.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- Ingredients
- Substitutions / Add-Ins
- How to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese in Air fryer? Step by Step
- How to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese in the Oven?
- How to Store Leftovers?
- Make ahead Cauliflower mac and cheese for Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ Easter
- Top Tips
- What to Serve with Air fryer Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?
- Which Air fryer do you use?
- Recipe FAQ's
- Recent Recipes, You'll Love
- Air fryer Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- I find it is easier to sneak in more veggies like cauliflower and broccoli, but it won't compromise the texture you love in your mac and cheese.
- Ultimate Crowd Pleaser - Be it Kids, Adults. You will reach out for a second serving!
- Make ahead recipe and Perfect for batch cooking!
- Easy to make it vegan and gluten free. ( Detailed method in the recipe card below
Ingredients
- Macaroni pasta – I use elbow-shaped pasta, but any short variety works well.
- Plain flour – Also known as all-purpose flour in the US, or maida in India.
- Dijon mustard – A traditional French mustard with a smooth texture and a tangy, slightly spicy flavour.
- Cheese – I use a combination of cheddar and red Leicester cheese.
- Breadcrumbs – Simple white breadcrumbs work well. You can make your own by blending some bread in a food processor.
Substitutions / Add-Ins
- Pasta – Any short pasta shape will work. For a gluten-free version, I like chickpea pasta.
- For extra flavour – Add onion powder or garlic powder to the creamy sauce.
- Other veggies – I use cauliflower, but broccoli is also a great option.
- To make a vegan cauliflower mac and cheese– I substitute with Flora Buttery, MOMA oat milk, Oatly cream, and Cathedral City Dairy Free Grated Cheese. These are all available in most UK supermarkets.
How to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese in Air fryer? Step by Step
Step 1. Cook the pasta and cauliflower and add it to the oven proof dish.
I use a 28cm oval oven proof dish.
Step 2. Make the creamy cheesy sauce and pour it over the cauliflower and macaroni.
Top with creamy sauce, grated cheese and some bread crumbs.
Step 3.Transfer the baking dish into the air fryer basket.
I use a large air fryer with 8.5l basket.
Step 4. Air fry at 200C for 10 minutes or so until crispy top and cheese have melted.
I love to season it with ground black pepper and chilli flakes for an extra kick, before serving.
How to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese in the Oven?
To make oven baked cauliflower macaroni and cheese, first get your Cauliflower Mac and Cheese dish ready. Use the first 2 steps as above ( instructions added for air fryer)
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and place your dish into the oven.
Leave it there for 15-18 minutes. It's ready when the breadcrumbs are brown and the cheese is melted.
Enjoy scrumptious Cauliflower Mac and Cheese straight from the oven. Enjoy!
How to Store Leftovers?
Keep the leftover cauliflower macaroni and cheese in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat until hot.
Make ahead Cauliflower mac and cheese for Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ Easter
Assemble the cauliflower mac and cheese in a serving dish and cover it with cling film. Store in the fridge for up to 48 hours. An hour before serving, take it out of the refrigerator and cook in the air fryer.
Serve hot along with other delicious Christmas mains - Air fryer Dauphinoise Potatoes, Cauliflower Cheese and Whole roasted cauliflower.
Top Tips
- Cook the cauliflower until tender crisp and pasta aldente. They will cook further in the air fryer/oven.
- If you find the sauce a bit too thick, dilute it with 100ml hot water from the kettle.
- Don't have cream, you can also make the cheese sauce with milk.
- Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the white sauce thicken and easy to serve without the cheese sauce running everywhere.
What to Serve with Air fryer Cauliflower Mac and Cheese?
Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese can be enjoyed as a main dish as well as a side. For something lighter to complement it, consider options such as salads, vegetables, or bread for a simple and satisfying meal.
Salads: Mayo-free Coleslaw, Shirazi Salad, red cabbage slaw, shaved brussels sprouts salad
Vegetables: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Peppers and Onions, Green Beans, Roasted Asparagus, Corn on the Cob, Zucchini fries, crispy potato slices
Bread:Soda Bread, No-Knead Bread, Braided Bread, Eggless Dinner Rolls, Garlic Knots
Which Air fryer do you use?
I use Instant Pot Vortex 6-in-1 (5.7L) and the Instant Pot Vortex Versazone (8.5L). These are perfect for holding my oven proof dish.
Recipe FAQ's
Its really simple. Boil pasta and cauliflower together until just tender. Make a vegan cheese sauce with plant-based butter, flour, non-dairy milk, cream, mustard, and vegan cheese. Combine everything in a baking dish, top with more vegan cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly in the air fryer / oven.
I use Flora buttery, Moma Oat milk, Oatly cream and Cathedral City Dairy Free Plant Based Grated Cheese as vegan substitutes.
Store leftover cauliflower mac and cheese in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven/ air fryer or microwave with a splash of milk to loosen.
Yes! Use gluten-free pasta (I prefer chickpea flour pasta), gluten-free plain flour for the cheese sauce.
Note - Check your breadcrumbs and plant-based cheeses ingredients for gluten, too.
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Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower broken into large florets (450g)
- 210 g macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 50 g butter about 4 tbsp
- 56 g plain flour about 4 tbsp
- 250 ml whole milk
- 250 ml double cream
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- 75 g mature cheddar grated
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg optional
On the top
- 50 g red leicester cheese or monterey jack cheese
- 50 g cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoon white bread crumbs
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then add macaroni pasta. Cook for 4 minutes. Then add cauliflower pieces, and cook for additional 4-5 mins – lift out a piece to test, it should be cooked. Drain and add it to an oven proof dish.1 medium cauliflower, 210 g macaroni
- Simultaneously, make a cheese sauce.Heat butter in a pan. When melted, add the flour and cook continuously in low flame to create a roux.50 g butter, 56 g plain flour , 250 ml whole milk, 250 ml double cream, salt and pepper to taste, 75 g mature cheddar
- Then add the milk and cream a little at a time first and continue to whisk until thick.
- Add the dijon mustard, remaining cream / milk and a pinch of nutmeg and stir and cook until the sauce bubbles.Switch off the flame and add cheddar cheese.1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pour the cheese sauce over until fully coated. Scatter red Leicester cheese , cheddar cheese and bread crumbs all over.50 g red leicester cheese, 50 g cheddar cheese
Air frying
- Transfer the dish to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 200C for 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted and bubbling and the top is brown.3 tablespoon white bread crumbs
Baking in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 200C. If you would like to bake, place the the dish in the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese has melted and bubbling and the top is brown.
Notes
Top Tips
- If you find the sauce a bit too thick, dilute it with 100ml hot water from the kettle.
- Don't have cream, you can also make the cheese sauce with milk.
- Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the white sauce thicken and easy to serve without the cheese sauce running everywhere.
- Cook the cauliflowers until tender crisp and pasta aldente. They will cook further in the air fryer/oven.
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