Cauliflower Mushroom “Risotto”

A healthy low-carb take on a regular mushroom risotto, this cauliflower based, grain-free version is similar in taste and super delicious!

My husband LOVES risotto. I have a few risotto dishes that I make on a regular basis depending on the season. I will make a green asparagus risotto in the spring, a butternut risotto in the fall and a mushroom one whenever we feel like it. Mushroom is probably the firm family favorite and I truly love it. It's actually so simple to make a good risotto - all you need is time and patience!

But you are not here to learn how to make risotto! You came here because the base for this risotto is cauliflower rice! I'll be honest, a few years ago I did not know about cauliflower rice. Like, if anyone had told me about it, I would have assumed it's rice with cauliflower in it. But no! If you're not on the cauliflower rice train, get right on and meet the best ingredient for low carb cooking!

Cauliflower rice is seriously one of my biggest obsessions. The annoying part is that you can only get frozen cauliflower rice in ONE store here which is a bit of a drive. So we take a ride out there maybe once a month and I feel almost an entire drawer in my freezer with it. Yup, I know. Full on cauli rice fan here! I know you can theoretically rice it yourself but honestly, who's got the time? Which brand is your favorite and is it very accessible where you live?

So on a low-carb day (or week), this cauliflower rice based mushroom "risotto" is the best alternative! Is it as creamy and cheesy buttery? I'll be quite honest, no it is not. It can't really get as creamy because risotto rice has a certain kind of starch that cauliflower just doesn't. But is it delicious nevertheless? For sure! Depending on your liking, you can add more butter and/ or cheese to make it more cheesy or buttery too! I only added a teaspoon of butter although I did sort of make up for that with lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Parmesan is life!

Another advantage of this dish is that it's so much faster than a regular risotto! Instead of standing patiently next to the risotto while stirring and adding liquid ever so often, this version kind of cooks itself. Of course, you do have to keep an eye on it but it's definitely much more low maintenance.

Will you make this for dinner soon? Or how about my Green Asparagus Risotto?