Slow Cooker Buffalo Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

📝Shopping list

Following is a list of the ingredients you'll need to make this easy recipe.  For quantities and full preparation instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.  

The Sauce 

• Buffalo wing sauce Use your favorite brand and spice level (I like mild) 
• Whipped cream cheese for extra ease and creaminess
• Ranch dressing homemade or store bought.  Use your favorite.
• Cheddar cheese shredded 

The Main Attraction

• Cauliflower florets buy bagged or cut your own
• Ready pasta or fully cooked pasta can also be used*

The Topping

• Blue cheese crumbles optional but recommended for topping (if you love blue cheese, it's not optional!)
• Green onion garnish that adds extra flavor and crunch

🔪Instructions

This great recipe involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Get Cooking

• 🧀 Place cauliflower florets into the bottom of a greased slow cooker
• 🧀 Add all sauce ingredients and stir to fully combine
• 🧀 Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours
• 🧀 You are ready for the next step when your biggest cauliflower pieces can be easily pierced with a fork.
• 🧀 Next, add Ready Pasta (or cooked pasta) into the sauce and stir.
• 🧀 Top with blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onion.  Then sit back and watch it disappear!  

🍽Serving suggestions

• Top with grilled chicken, steak bites or fish to add some lean protein.
• Pair with a crisp garden salad or a cool tuna or chicken salad. 
• Add a crunchy toasted garlic bread for a perfect side bite.
• Serve with a creamy coleslaw for the ultimate comfort food balance.
• Use cool celery stalks to scoop this dish right out of the pot during football season.  

🔁Substitutions

• Slow cooker Cauliflower mac can be made as spicy (or not) as you like. If you are not a fan of spicy foods, use a mild Buffalo sauce (that is my preference). If you like heat, dial it up as hot as you like. 
• If you are watching your carbs, skip the pasta and double the cauliflower for a delicious buffalo mac(less) treat! 
• Turn your dish into crockpot Buffalo chicken macaroni by stirring in some rotisserie chicken toward the end of cooking time.  This makes it a one-pot complete meal.  
• To make this buffalo cheese recipe gluten free, use a gluten free pasta. 
• Swap the pasta shapes.  Don't feel like you have to use elbow macaroni with this recipe.  I use rotini because I love how it holds onto extra sauce.  Shell pasta is a great way to get more of the creamy cheesy buffalo flavor too.  

😉Hints & hacks

1. Store leftovers of this delicious slow cooker recipe in meal-sized portions. It makes for easy reheat-and-eat weeknight meals.
2. Some people feel that store bought shredded cheese doesn't melt as well as freshly shredded.   I have never had an issue with this.  Extra sharp cheddar is my favorite in this recipe.  
3. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
5. The most important step is to always make sure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!! 🙄