Cheesy Instant Pot Cauliflower

Easy cheesy Instant Pot cauliflower recipe can be made in Ninja Foodi too. Like macaroni and cheese keto style side dish everyone in your family will love. You can make something similar to this with our slow cooker cheesy cauliflower recipe.

If you’re looking for a great low carb pressure cooker recipe this cheesy Instant Pot mac and cheese cauliflower is a real winner! It’s now one of our favorite easy vegetable Instant Pot recipes on The Typical Mom blog. (participant in the amazon program, affiliate links present)

Ninja Foodi Cheesy Cauliflower Recipe

Served as a side dish at dinner time or a complete meal, I can never make enough of it! You can make it in any pressure cooker brand you have. I also have a Crockpot Express and love Ninja foodi recipes which work the same. You just need the high pressure function and most electric versions do.

If you have ever made whole cauliflower in Instant Pot you know just how quickly it works. You will want to cut this one into large bite size florets instead so the sauce can coat each piece well. You want an ooey gooey feel and look to it.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Cauliflower

After it was made whole we also then made this Instant Pot mashed cauliflower with cooked cauliflower that’s been pureed. It’s not only yummy but fun too since it was purple! Then I thought about this macaroni and cheese cauliflower idea and had to try it as a pressure cooker recipe.

I don’t have vegetable haters in my house, but if your kids aren’t super excited about them I would encourage you to try fun new ways like this.   If you’re looking for comfort food in a bowl I’d give this cauliflower Instant Pot macaroni and cheese style dinner.

It can be a lower carb option to those who are trying to eat more vegetables but still want to feel like they are cheating but you really aren’t. 😉

Can you make macaroni and cheese with cauliflower?

Yes!! I mean kinda’, without the noodles. Mac and cheese is the bomb right? This is a way to make it a little less guilty but with the same flavors. You can use any type of shredded cheese on the top when done. Cheddar is a given but if you want to add some spicy use pepper Jack instead. Just steam the veggies, fold in with the sauce and enjoy.

Is cauliflower keto?

We don’t follow this diet, but many do so I wanted to add this bit of info. in case it is important to you. Yes, is likely the greatest low carb vegetable ever. I say it is one of the most versatile vegetables too with only 4% carbs it.

What’s probably the best quality about it is it has a very similar texture to potatoes, but without all the carbs. Believe it or not though, it also contains almost as much vitamin C as oranges! I know, hard to believe.

How long to steam cauliflower in pressure cooker

Following our vegetable cook time chart we ended up setting our pressure cooker to high pressure for 1 – 2 minutes. This is subjective according to how soft you like the florets. If you want still a bit of “bite” to them and not on the verge of falling apart then use one minute with a quick release.

Remember that there is a second cooking step to this as you saute the cream cheese sauce together and fold it in with your white veggie pieces. If you make them super soft to begin with they will continue to soften in the last few minutes and then won’t be the texture you want. Personally I feel one minute is best!

When it comes to steamed vegetables in the Instant Pot it doesn’t take long at all. You don’t want them to get mushy. I prefer to cook it a little less because when it sits, or if you add hot sauces like this one, it tends to soften even more when it sits but it is just a preference really.

Also, remember to quick release when the beeper goes off IMMEDIATELY! One minute means just that, no longer. Perfect Instant Pot broccoli is the same way. Walk away and let it sit for 60 more seconds and you’re likely to say “ewwwww” when you lift the lid.

Cheesy Cauliflower Ingredients

1. Head of cauliflower – stem & leaves removed, broken up into medium size pieces.
2. Heavy whipping cream will make the sauce thick
3. Cream cheese softened
4. Dijon mustard gives the sauce a bit of zing
5. Cheese – sharp is great or a mix of pepper jack and cheddar is fab
6. Garlic salt and pepper to taste – I add after it’s done to avoid over seasoning

Equipment Needed

1. Ninja Foodi or IP
2. Vegetable steamer basket
3. I would get a non stick pot too if you don’t already have one

Variations

For a dairy free option you can find lactose free cream cheese at the store which is quite good. As a milk substitute I would use cashew milk or plain almond.

Can you make this with frozen cauliflower?

You totally could and the cook time wouldn’t change. Actually it would make this dish even faster since there wouldn’t be any cutting necessary. The head is already cut into bite size florets in this case. Just pour in the bag and continue with the recipe below.

Of course you could make this without a pressure cooker. Just steam your cauliflower in a basket on the stove. Then gently boil the sauce in the recipe card below. Remove from heat, add your cauliflower, gently stir together and serve. Either way you’ve gotta’ make this!

How to Make Cheesy Instant Pot Cauliflower

• Put vegetable steamer basket into your Instant Pot and add 1.5 c water too.
• Put med. size pcs. of cauliflower into steamer basket and close lid, and steam valve.
• Set to pressure high for 1 min. Do a quick release and remove basket with cooked cauliflower, set aside. Drain water out of pot.
• Turn pot off, then push saute button.
• Add heavy cream, cream cheese, dijon mustard, garlic salt and stir until it starts to slowly bubble and cream cheese clumps are now smooth.
• Add 1.5 c. shredded cheese and stir until melted, then dump cooked cauliflower into the pot and turn your pot off.
• Gently mix together so sauce is coating all pieces, empty into a bowl to serve 

The printable recipe is below which includes nutritional information and links to purchase ingredients you might need. Make sure you immediately quick release the steam after you cook on high or it will overcook quickly and get too soft. Add the creamy sauce with some salt and pepper and enjoy!

Other easy side dish recipes you’ll love

• Instant Pot cheesy bacon ranch potatoes have a great sauce too
  • or slow cooker cheesy potatoes with frozen hashbrowns
• This is How Long to Roast Cauliflower at 400 in the oven to make crispy
• Instant Pot cauliflower soup is the perfect side dish to any meal really.
• Low-carb cauliflower rice