Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta

Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish that combines pasta, cauliflower, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked together until golden and bubbling.

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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.

Sometimes you just need a fun twist on a typical macaroni and cheese recipe. And doesn't bacon make everything taste better. 

If you are looking for more comfort food pasta recipes, you will love this Pasta Sausage in Garlic White Wine Sauce, Sriracha Chicken Pasta, Italian Pesto Pasta Salad and definitely this Gluten Free Shrimp Caprese Pasta!

These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!

Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!

Why You Should Make This Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta

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 good 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 to this cheesy cauliflower bacon pasta 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.

When baked, everything comes together in a gooey, cheesy, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. The cauliflower adds a healthy touch, while the bacon and cheese provide plenty of indulgent flavor. It's a great comfort food option, ideal for family meals or potlucks.

Recipe Tips

You can add white beans or even more vegetables.  This Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta is hearty, delicious, easy and totally customizable.

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

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've also made this cheesy cauliflower pasta with sausage instead of bacon just to mix it up, and it was a great way to use up leftover sausage.

Youc an also use whatever cheese you have in your house.

Related Recipes

Healthy Mediterranean Pasta from Well Plated

Healthy Pasta Primavera from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Healthy One Pot Pasta Recipe from Erin Lives Whole

One Dish Salsa Pasta Chicken Bake from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

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Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta

Cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Pasta Bake is a comforting and indulgent dish that combines pasta, cauliflower, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked together until golden and bubbling.

5 from 12 votes

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Course: dinner, Main Course, main dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 453kcal

Author: Lauren Kelly

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
• ▢ ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive 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.

Notes

To store in refrigerator: Place in airtight container for up to 5 days.

To store in freezer: Place in airtight container for up to 3 months.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 184IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 3mg

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