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    Home » Recipes » Casseroles

    Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta

    Published: Oct 24, 2013 · Modified: Jan 20, 2021 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Your comfort food game just got kicked up a whole lot. This Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta is healthy, simple to make and cozy delicious.

    This Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta is healthy, comfort food at it's best!

    This is healthy, comfort food at its finest.  Sometimes you just need a fun twist on a typical macaroni and cheese recipe.  

    And doesn't bacon make everything taste better?  

    You can add chopped sausage if you'd like or even white beans or more vegetables.  It's hearty, delicious and easy.

    My kids eat way too much macaroni and cheese these days. It's one of the few recipes that I will make that they will all eat its very little complaints.

    So because I tend to get into food ruts, where I keep making the same recipes over and over again, I keep making my goodlier old faithful, Mac and cheese. I realize that I can spruce it up a bit and my kids might still love it as much.

    I wanted to add the cauliflower for two reasons. One, it has such a mild taste that I thought I could get away with sneaking in some veggies.

    Another reason I added cauliflower is strictly about appearance. I was hoping because the cauliflower is white and so light it would all blend in and no one would even notice.

    Well, they noticed but the good news is that they still ate it. And loved it.

    Of course I added bacon because bacon really does make everything better. Especially when you pair it with cheese and pasta. 

    It's the ultimate comfort food.

    Remember just any bacon will not do.  Make sure you get uncured, nitrate free, reduced sodium, center cut bacon.

    Read the ingredients and make sure your nitrate free bacon does not contain any added sugars either. I like Applegate Farms, but there are plenty of bacon products out there that are uncured, nitrate free and do not contain any added sugar.

    You always need to read the full ingredient list, not just the calories, protein, carbohydrates and fat. The ingredients are just as, if not more important.

    I have had readers tell me that they made this and doubled the amount of cauliflower and cut the amount of pasta in half to cut back on carbs. They loved it. I think I will try that next time because it sounds delicious. 

    I always love to hear your suggestions and additions, you guys are always so creative and have great ideas. Keep them coming!

    Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon and Pasta Bake

    Healthy, Comfort food, Fall, Local vegetables
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 6
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil
    • ¾ cup nitrate free bacon divided
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 small onion minced
    • ½ cup Havarti cheese shredded
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 pound whole grain pasta cooked
    • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease baking dish and set aside.
    • Spread cauliflower florets onto baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and grapeseed oil. Place into preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are light brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
    • In a large skillet, cook the bacon until cooked through. Set onto paper towels to drain.
    • In the same skillet, put garlic and onion and cook on low for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add cheese and milk, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted. Crumble bacon.
    • Add cauliflower and ½ cup bacon and mix well.
    • Add cooked pasta and thoroughly combine. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with Parmesan cheese and remaining ¼ cup bacon.
    • Bake for 10-15 minutes until edges are browned.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

    I wanted to share some more healthier pasta recipes with you guys that I thought you might like:

    Healthy Mediterranean Pasta from Well Plated

    Healthy Pasta Primavera from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    This Healthy Pasta Primavera from Lauren Kelly Nutrition has no cream in it and is packed with vegetables! #glutenfree @jovialfoods

    Healthy One Pot Pasta Recipe from Erin Lives Whole

    One Dish Salsa pasta Chicken Bake from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    This One Dish Salsa Pasta Chicken Bake takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and the pasta doesn't need to be cooked before hand. It's not only simple to make, but also healthy and delicious! From Lauren Kelly Nutrition #OrganicforAll

    Linguini with Lemon from Love and Lemons

    Spicy Sriracha Chicken and Pasta from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Healthy Pasta Recipe from iFood Real

    Gluten Free Shrimp Caprese Pasta from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    If you make these Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta or any of the other recipes I have shared with you, please some back and let me know. You guys know that I love to hear from you!

    I hope you enjoy these! Thank you for stopping by and please come back soon!

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Toni

      April 04, 2022 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      I love how cheesy this is! So comforting and delicious! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!

      Reply
    2. Allyssa

      April 04, 2022 at 5:43 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    3. Katie

      April 02, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      Cheese and bacon make everything better. I love how savory and flavorful this is.

      Reply
    4. Melissa

      August 30, 2021 at 10:57 pm

      5 stars
      Great dinner - we were happy to stick to our carb free dinner nights with great recipes like yours!

      Reply
    5. Anna

      August 30, 2021 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      I had cauliflower I needed to use up and this pasta looked so good. I am so happy I made it! It's easy and so delicious!

      Reply
    6. Lily

      August 30, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this bake, it was super easy to make and had tons of flavor, made for the perfect family dinner!!

      Reply
    7. [email protected] Plaid & Paisley Kitchen

      December 05, 2014 at 3:03 pm

      I am always looking for new ways to make cauliflower! this looks so very yummy!

      Reply
    8. Julia

      December 05, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      I love the cauliflower in this pasta recipe mixed with the bacon. I haven't tried that combo but I bet its fantastic!

      Reply
    9. Carla

      December 05, 2014 at 12:06 am

      Can't go wrong with cauliflower and bacon!

      Reply
    10. Julia

      December 05, 2014 at 12:14 am

      Love the flavors in this!

      Reply
    11. kita

      December 04, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Everything about this is perfect!! We love cauliflower annnd who doesn't live bacon. 🙂

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        December 04, 2014 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks so much Kita!

        Reply
    12. [email protected]+A+Mind+Full+Mom

      December 04, 2014 at 12:17 pm

      This looks amazing! I love using Havarti Cheese!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        December 04, 2014 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks Kristen!!

        Reply
    13. sandy

      January 20, 2014 at 9:22 pm

      Your stuff looks yummy

      Reply
      • lauren

        January 20, 2014 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Sandy! 🙂

        Reply
    14. tisha

      December 29, 2013 at 3:52 pm

      I was looking for some pasta with cauliflower recipe and my surfing led me to your blog. This looks great! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • lauren

        December 29, 2013 at 3:57 pm

        Great, hope you like it 🙂

        Reply
    15. nutrition sportive

      November 05, 2013 at 10:35 am

      this look yummy, thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        November 05, 2013 at 11:25 am

        Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply

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