Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms (Keto) - Wholesome Yum (2025)

What do you do when you’re craving a bowl of rich and creamy risotto, but you’re keto — or just want something healthier? There’s only one suitable solution, and it’s an easy one… you make a creamy cauliflower risotto recipe instead! This cauliflower rice risotto is the lighter, healthier version of a traditional one… except it’s made with cauliflower rice.

What Is Cauliflower Risotto?

Cauliflower risotto has a similar flavor and texture to traditional risotto, but it’s made with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.

With a regular Italian risotto, rice is cooked with broth until it gets creamy. Cauliflower mushroom risotto is made in a similar way, but is much faster. Cauliflower cooks more quickly (just a few minutes instead of close to an hour for the kind made with grain rice!), and requires much less liquid.

Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Risotto Recipe

• Rich mushroom flavor
• Light, creamy texture
• Simple ingredients
• Ready in just 25 minutes
• Made in just one pan
• 6 grams net carbs per serving
• Perfect side dish or light vegetarian keto meal

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for this cauliflower risotto recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Butter – I prefer to saute the mushrooms and onions in butter for flavor, but you could also use olive oil or avocado oil.
• Onion – Dice it finely.
• Mushrooms – I used cremini mushrooms, but white mushrooms would also work. I buy these pre-sliced to save time, or you can slice them yourself.
• Garlic – Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor, or jarred for convenience.
• Fresh Thyme – I highly recommend using fresh herbs here if you can. If you have to substitute dried, use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.
• Cauliflower – You can make your own cauliflower rice from fresh cauliflower florets, or use bagged frozen cauliflower rice for convenience.
• Broth – I used chicken bone broth for both flavor and nutrition, but regular chicken broth would also work. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option. If you like, you could also replace half of the broth with white wine.
• Heavy Cream – Makes the cauliflower risotto creamy! You can substitute full-fat coconut milk (the kind from a can) if needed.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – This provides flavor and thickens the sauce.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Cauliflower Risotto

This section shows how to make keto risotto, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Brown the mushrooms and onion.Melt the butter in a saute pan and add mushrooms onions. Saute until veggies are soft and browned.

2. Add garlic and thyme. Saute until fragrant.
3. Simmer cauliflower and broth. Add the cauliflower and bone broth to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender and liquid has reduced.

See Also

Vegan and Gluten-Free Crusty Olive Oil Sourdough Peasant BreadSingle Serve Mushroom Q-Cup Stuffing | Meal Prep on FleekVegan Blueberry Bounty Bars - Nadia's Healthy KitchenNative American-Style Gluten Free Fry Bread

4. Stir in parmesan cheese. Reduce the heat, and stir in cream and parmesan. Continue to heat, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
5. Serve. Your cauliflower rice risotto is ready to eat! I like to serve it with additional fresh thyme for garnish.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep cauliflower risotto in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
• Reheat: Warm in the microwave or a skillet on the stovetop, until hot.
• Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer bag or freezer container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What To Serve WithKeto Cauliflower Risotto

Thiscreamy cauliflower risotto recipe makes the perfect side to just about any protein, or even as a vegetarian dish on its own. Try one of these low carb dinner recipes:

• Steak – Serve this dish with sirloin steak, filet mignon, or ribeye for a spectacular rich and hearty (but healthy!) steakhouse-style meal.
• Chicken – Try asparagus stuffed chicken, chicken leg quarters, or baked chicken thighs for an easy meal.
• Seafood – Risotto pairs well with fish, such as baked salmon, pan seared halibut, or tilapia in the air fryer. Make the meal fancier for special occasions by serving it with a succulent lobster tail recipe or garlic butter shrimp.
• Pork – Stuffed pork chops, slow cooker pork tenderloin, or crispy pork belly are all delicious options.
• Salad – Serve cauliflower mushroom risotto as the main dish and pair it with a veggie salad, like creamy cucumber salad or Caprese salad.