Just about every comfort food you can think of involves carbs, but a lot of us, including me, are trying to eat more complex carbs. These 7 ways to use cauliflower can help!
What if you could make your favorite comfort foods with a secret ingredient that tastes great is a great complex carb option?
Here are 7 ways to use cauliflower that might surprise you:
With the rise of the low-carb trend, I’ve seen so many creative ways to recreate our favorite carb dishes in a new way.
One magical ingredient is usually at the root of these recreations — cauliflower.
It’s so versatile and can be used in so many ways.
You likely know it can replace white rice, but what else can cauliflower do in your kitchen to beat your carb cravings? As it turns out, a lot. Here’s 7 ways to use cauliflower where you can swap this cruciferous veggie in place of carb-filled options.
1. Mashed potatoes
Some people go full cauliflower while others go half-and-half with potatoes. Either way, you’ll turn out that favorite comfort food through cauliflower and won’t feel as bloated afterward. I love adding loads of fresh garlic and herbs to it to fill it full of flavor.
2. Alfredo sauce
Dreaming of a plate of fettuccine alfredo? There’s a way to liven up a regular alfredo sauce with cauliflower to lighten the load of the heavy dish. Use cauliflower to lighten it up without sacrificing any flavor, with only a few ingredients. Cauliflower alfredo sauce consists of cauliflower, garlic, your favorite non-dairy milk, and that’s about it! Look up some recipes on Pinterest and give it a try.
And you can pair a delicious cauliflower Alfredo sauce with some low-carb noodles like zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
3. Pizza
Look on YouTube, and you’ll find a ton of cauliflower crust recipes just waiting to be tried. All you need is a whole head of cauliflower, cheese, and egg whites. Don’t want to make it yourself? They sell cauliflower pizza crusts ready to go in the frozen section of the supermarket, and you can even substitute cauliflower crust in many pizza parlors.
4. Tater tots
If you’re struggling to get the kids to eat veggies, try replacing the tater tots with cauliflower tots. You can make these yourself with minimal ingredients or buy them in the frozen section of your local grocery store.
Or check out these amazing Maple Sriracha Cauliflower Bites as another way to enjoy a snack made of cauliflower.
5. Fried rice
Sure, you can make fried rice healthier with brown rice. But if you really want to maximize your veggie intake and cut carbs further, try making it with cauliflower rice. Add shrimp and egg for a satisfying switch-up on this Chinese takeout classic. Drizzling toasted sesame oil while cooking will add a pop of flavor you’ll love.
6. Sushi
Yes, you read that right! You can substitute cauliflower rice for sushi rice. It only takes just a touch of coconut milk to render it to the same texture that sushi rice has. What a game-changer. Fill it with your favorite raw or cooked fish, or keep it strictly vegetarian.
7. Cheese sauce
You can make cheese sauce that’s lighter and still cheesy, all with the help of cauliflower. Steam cauliflower in chicken stock, then puree it with a little cheese. Use vegan cheese if you’re dairy-free. You’ll find plenty of uses for this one like topped on veggies or even with elbow macaroni for a healthier version of everyone’s favorite, mac n’ cheese.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be all about salads.
Let’s recap. Here are 7 ways to use cauliflower:
- Mashed potatoes
- Alfredo sauce
- Pizza
- Tater tots
- Fried rice
- Sushi
- Cheese sauce
Let me know, which one are you going to try first?
Ready to simplify your meal planning and make dinnertime stress-free? Join my Facebook group, Practical Meal Planning Moms, and let’s transform your kitchen life together!
