Easy Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

Learn how to make easy Cauliflower Cheese Sauce for veggies, chicken, pasta and more. This simple sauce has a hefty dose of cauliflower tucked right inside for extra nutrition, BUT it has all the flavor of classic cheese sauce the kids love!

Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

I love adding veggies to sauces to add flavor and nutrition to  food for kids—it’s often an easy and effective way to boost nutrient intake! And the thing about using cauliflower in this cheese sauce is that you simply blend up the ingredients in a blender without the need to stir flour into butter and milk on the stovetop like in classic cheese sauce. And the best part? You can make it ahead of time, stash it in the fridge, and use it as needed throughout the week.

Easy Cheese Sauce

This Cauliflower Cheese sauce, which simply blends together in a blender until smooth, pairs really nicely with broccoli if your kids like (broccoli and cheese!) and is a little less salty than a traditional cheese sauce might be. It’s also gluten-free (if that is an issue in your house) and perfectly smooth.

Ingredients in Healthy Cheese Sauce

To make this cheese sauce you’ll need:

• grated cheddar cheese
• butter
• milk
• cauliflower florets
• garlic powder
• salt

TIP: This is a nice way to use up a small amount of lingering cauliflower or to simply offer a healthy dipping sauce to go with dinner. (You don’t even need flour to make this recipe!)

TIP: Use store bought cauliflower florets or cut up a head of cauliflower. You can also start with frozen florets.

How to Make Cheese Sauce Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the easy process involved in learning how to make cheese sauce. Scroll down to see the full recipe at the bottom of the post.

1. Gather your ingredients. (photo 1)
2. Add the cauliflower to a steamer basket fitted in a medium pot with water. Cook until soft. (photo 2)
3. Add all ingredients to a blender. (photo 3)
4. Blend until very smooth. Season to taste. (photo 4)

TIP: You can use yellow or white cheese, depending on whether you’d like the easy cheese sauce to be yellow or white.

How long can I store leftovers?

This makes enough for 2-3 servings, so you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat it for 15-30 seconds in the microwave to serve. You can also toss any leftovers with pasta for a quick and healthy mac and cheese. You can of course cut the recipe in half to make less from the start—I like to have it in the fridge to use for future meals.

TIP: One batch of this quick cheese sauce makes enough for 1 pound of pasta.

What goes well with this Quick Cheese Sauce (besides broccoli)?

You can serve this with additional steamed cauliflower, steamed broccoli, pretzel sticks, chicken strips, or anything else the kids might like to dip into cheese sauce. It’s great as a dip to serve with Chicken Meatballs, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Nuggets, Tofu Nuggets, or stirred into pasta to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

Tips for Making the Best Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

• Use yellow or white cheese, according to whether you’d like your sauce to be yellow or white.
• You can make this up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
• Serve with additional steamed cauliflower, steamed broccoli, fries, pretzel sticks, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Meatballs, as Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, or anything else the kids might like to dip into cheese sauce!
• You can omit the garlic powder for a more mellow flavor.
• You can add a pinch of mustard powder for additional flavor.
• Use store bought cauliflower florets or cut up a head of cauliflower. You can also start with frozen florets.

I’d love to know what your family thinks of this recipe so please comment below to share!

Easy Cheese Sauce (with Cauliflower)

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Amy Palanjian
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This makes enough for 2-3 servings, so you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat it for 15-30 seconds in the microwave to serve. You can also toss any leftovers with pasta for a quick and healthy mac and cheese.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2  cup whole or 2% milk, warmed slightly
• 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
• Pinch garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 head broccoli

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Instructions

1. Add the cauliflower to a steamer basket fitted in a medium pot half filled with water set over medium heat. Cover and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add cauliflower, butter, milk, cheese, garlic powder, and salt to a blender. Blend until very smooth.
3. Serve with additional steamed cauliflower, steamed broccoli, fries, pretzel sticks, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Meatballs, as Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, or anything else the kids might like to dip into cheese sauce!

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Notes

Use yellow or white cheese, according to whether you’d like your sauce to be yellow or white.

You can make this up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

Stir into pasta to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, serve as a dip for Chicken Meatballs, or as a dip for veggies, pretzel sticks, or Baked Chicken Tenders.

You can omit the garlic powder for a more mellow flavor.

You can add a pinch of mustard powder for additional flavor.

Use store bought cauliflower florets or cut up a head of cauliflower. You can also start with frozen florets.

922.1 g114.9 mg6.8 g4 g3.2 g0.5 g4.8 g20.3 mg

Filder Under:Dinner, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Recipes, Vegetables