Instant Pot Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac: The Ultimate Healthy Low-Carb Comfort Food
Craving the nostalgic taste of classic cheeseburger macaroni but looking for a healthier, low-carb alternative? Look no further! This Instant Pot Cauliflower Cheeseburger “Mac” is a brilliant, guilt-free take on a beloved comfort food, perfectly reimagined for today’s health-conscious cook. It delivers all the rich, cheesy flavor of a traditional Hamburger Helper, but with a clever veggie twist that makes it suitable for the 21 Day Fix, Weight Watchers, and 2B Mindset. Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make dish!
This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
Rediscovering Comfort Food, the Healthy Way
Confession time: I never actually grew up with Hamburger Helper or any boxed cheeseburger macaroni kits. My childhood kitchen was a place where most meals were made from scratch. While I was occasionally jealous of my friends’ SpaghettiOs, I’ve come to appreciate the value of homemade goodness. It’s this foundation that inspired me to create a wholesome, yet equally delicious, version of that classic American comfort dish.
Many regular readers of my blog are already familiar with this story. What truly delights me is how many of you have confirmed that my original Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac recipe truly captures the essence of a low-carb, healthier Hamburger Helper. It’s incredibly rewarding to know this dish brings joy and nostalgia without the guilt!
The Instant Pot Advantage: Speed and Simplicity
For the past year, thanks to a tip from one of my amazing readers, I’ve been making this Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac in my Instant Pot, and it has become an absolute game-changer. The Instant Pot streamlines the process, especially when it comes to steaming cauliflower – which is ridiculously easy and yields perfect results every time. This kitchen marvel turns a delicious idea into a quick-fix weeknight meal, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
How to Steam Cauliflower in Your Instant Pot to Perfection
Steaming cauliflower in your Instant Pot is incredibly simple, but there’s a trick to getting it just right – tender, yet firm, without turning into an undesirable mush. The secret? “Zero minutes” of cooking time! Here’s how to do it:
- First, prepare your cauliflower by cutting away the green leaves and most of the large stem, but keep the head largely intact. This helps it maintain its shape and prevents overcooking.
- Pour one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot liner.
- Carefully place the whole head of cauliflower on a trivet or in a steamer basket inside the pot.
- Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and program your Instant Pot to steam for, wait for it… **zero minutes**.
Yes, you read that right – zero minutes! This method utilizes the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure (plus the immediate quick release) to perfectly steam the cauliflower. It results in a tender but still firm texture that holds up beautifully when mixed into the creamy cheese and meat sauce. This way, your “mac” will have a delightful bite, not a watery consistency.
If you were steaming cauliflower to serve as a side dish, you could chop it into larger florets first and still use the zero-minute setting for equally fantastic results. This method eliminates the need to boil a pot of water or constantly monitor your cooking, making healthy eating more convenient than ever!
Crafting Your Low Carb Hamburger Helper Right in the Instant Pot
Once your cauliflower is perfectly steamed and set aside, the remaining steps for this low-carb Hamburger Helper come together in a flash, all within the same versatile Instant Pot. This truly minimizes cleanup and keeps the cooking process smooth and efficient.
You’ll start by browning your ground beef using the Instant Pot’s sauté function. This is where the rich, savory foundation of our cheeseburger “mac” begins. After the beef is cooked through, you’ll remove it and proceed to create the luscious cheese sauce. The beauty of this recipe is that you can transition directly from sautéing to sauce-making, often without needing to wash the pot in between, saving you precious time and effort.
And then, like magic, your kitchen transforms into a hub of delicious aromas! The Instant Pot works its charm by helping you create a rich, creamy cheese sauce with minimal fuss. And here’s another little trick: I don’t even bother turning on my oven to melt the extra cheese on top. Simply place the Instant Pot lid back on and set the pot to “keep warm.” The residual heat is more than enough to melt the cheese into a perfectly gooey, bubbly topping. It’s pure genius for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
See it all come together in this helpful video!
As you can see, that melty, cheesy goodness is achieved without ever needing to turn on your stove or oven. It’s the ultimate hassle-free, one-pot (almost!) meal for busy individuals and families.
Is this Low Carb Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger “Mac” Keto-Friendly?
Absolutely! I understand many of my followers adhere to a ketogenic lifestyle, and this recipe is incredibly adaptable. To make this Instant Pot Cauliflower Cheeseburger “Mac” fully keto, simply swap out the rice flour for almond flour (or your preferred keto-friendly flour) when making the cheese sauce. You can also opt for full-fat dairy milk or cream, or a keto-approved nut milk, to align with your macronutrient goals. The combination of cauliflower, ground beef, and a rich, low-carb cheese sauce makes this a fantastic and satisfying keto meal that won’t compromise on flavor.
What are the Container Counts for this 21 Day Fix Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac?
For those following the 21 Day Fix program, you’ll be thrilled to know that you get a generous serving of this Cauliflower Cheeseburger “Mac” – a full 1/4 of the entire pot! Each delicious serving counts as: 1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Blue, and 1 tsp. This is truly fantastic, allowing you to enjoy a substantial and flavorful meal while staying perfectly on track with your containers. Just be mindful, because this dinner is so incredibly good, it’s easy to want to eat more than your allotted portion – but that would certainly be a lot of blues!
What are the Weight Watchers Freestyle Points for this Low Carb Hamburger Helper?
Weight Watchers Freestyle members can also rejoice! This Low Carb Hamburger Helper is a fantastic option for your meal plan. To optimize the points, you’ll want to choose lower-fat cheese options, and remember to use lean ground beef. With these smart choices, you can savor a delightful serving of this Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac for only 5 points per serving! It’s a flavorful way to enjoy a hearty meal without derailing your progress.
Looking for More Healthy Instant Pot Recipes? Explore These Favorites!
The Instant Pot is a powerhouse for creating healthy, quick, and delicious meals that fit various dietary plans. If you’ve loved this low-carb cheeseburger mac, you’ll definitely want to check out some of my other popular Instant Pot recipes:
- 31 Days of Healthy Instant Pot Recipes [21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers Freestyle]: A comprehensive collection to inspire your daily cooking.
- Healthy Instant Pot Summer Recipes | 21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers: Light and fresh ideas perfect for warmer weather.
- Healthy Instant Pot Mexican Favorites (21 Day Fix | 80 Day Obsession | Weight Watchers): Spice up your meal plan with these vibrant dishes.
These recipes are designed to make healthy eating both enjoyable and convenient, helping you stay on track with your fitness goals.
Instant Pot Cauliflower Cheeseburger “Mac” | Instant Pot Low Carb Hamburger Helper
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean grass fed ground beef
- 1 small to medium head of cauliflower green leaves cut off, stem still intact.
- 4 teaspoons rice flour or flour of your choice – almond flour is best for keto
- 4 teaspoons butter vegan butter, or ghee
- 1 cup unsweetened original almond milk or milk of your choice
- 1 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese use Daiya or Violife for dairy free!
- Himalayan salt
Instructions
-
Place head of cauliflower on trivet and add in one cup of water to the IP. Set to steam for ZERO minutes.
-
After pot comes to pressure, it will beep and and turn to warm (since you set it for 0 minutes). You can Quick Release right away.
-
Carefully remove cauliflower. Cut into little florets and set aside.
-
Drain water from IP and dry completely. Set to saute and add in ground beef. Brown until cooked through. Remove meat and set aside with the cauliflower florets.
-
Wipe out IP and add in butter. Melt butter and whisk in the flour. Slowly whisk in the almond milk, and continue to whisk until the mixture comes to a boil and begins to thicken.
-
Once thickened, remove steel pot from IP base (essentially removing the heat) and stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese until fully melted, adding salt to taste.
-
Combine beef, cauliflower, and cheese sauce together and mix well. Top with remaining cheese and place back in the IP on warm. Place cover back on pot until the cheese topping melts and starts to bubble. If necessary, place back on saute for this to happen. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
WW: 11 points (per serving) [Calculated using 95% lean ground beef, rice flour, butter, and reduced fat cheddar cheese]
Nutrition