Enjoy a comfort food that feels indulgent but is supremely good for you with this Easy Cauliflower Casserole.
So, after avoiding COVID-19 since the pandemic began, it finally caught up with me a few weeks ago. I fortunately retained my sense of smell and taste, but my throat felt like Freddie Krueger and his knives-for-fingers had taken up residence in my throat. After a few days, I finally felt like eating again, but my cravings were super specific: warm, comforting, flavorful, nutritious.
Enter this Cauliflower Casserole. Creamy, Cheesy, and Bacon-y. My throat and my stomach sent a thank you note. It is relatively similar to the taste of Loaded Potato Casserole but the cauliflower version keeps all of the comfort with fewer carbs. I love how cauliflower can substitute for potatoes, including this mashed version. I don’t tell the kids that it’s not potatoes; they clean their plates so fast that they don’t have time to question it.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Cauliflower Casserole is a great side, especially for grilled entrees like these pork skewers or ginger chicken. Salads and roasted vegetables also pine for the company of this casserole. If you want a bit more crunch, add some breadcrumbs to the top before baking. For some garnish flourish, add some freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower or 2 small (cut into florets)
- 2 TBSP butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cups sour Cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar (divided)
- ¼ cup bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- ¼ cup green onions (sliced)
Instructions
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
- Heat the oven to 400°F.
- Mix the cauliflower with the melted butter, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and toss together. Bake the cauliflower for 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the heavy cream, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheddar, half the bacon, half the green onions, and salt and pepper well. Pour in the roasted cauliflower and toss together.
- Pour the mix into the casserole dish, sprinkle the rest of the cheddar, bacon, and green onions on top, and bake for 20-30 minutes.
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Cauliflower Casserole
- Bring out the natural sweetness of the cauliflower by roasting it first.
- Make sure your bacon is cooked until crispy before adding it to your casserole.
- Season generously with salt and pepper at every stage.
FAQs
Sure! Make sure you thaw and drain it first, and pat it to dry. The texture might not be as crunchy, but the taste will be great!
I have used Monterey Jack or gouda and they work great. You can have any of your favorite cheeses, or a blend.
Easily. You’re already halfway there. Switch out the butter for vegan butter or olive oil, use a plant milk instead of cream, and vegan cheese and bacon.
Cauliflower has a similar texture to potatoes, but it’s not as starchy. It has loads of vitamins and is fat- and cholesterol-free.
Variations
- Mexican: Add chopped jalapenos and a sprinkle of taco seasoning.
- Mediterranean: Throw in some crumbled feta, olives, and a hint of oregano.
- Creamy: Stir in some blue cheese and top with mozzarella before baking.
- Asian: Try a drizzle of sesame oil, minced ginger, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
- Protein Heavy: Add shredded chicken or ground beef.
Make Ahead and How to Store
You can prep this dish a day in advance if you’re short on time. Mix all the ingredients, cover it up, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and serve it. (Add a bit more time in the oven because it’ll start cold). This heats up great for leftovers. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can warm it up in the microwave or oven.
Cauliflower Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower or 2 small cut into florets
- 2 TBSP butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cups sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar divided
- ¼ cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup green onions sliced
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F.
- Mix the cauliflower with the melted butter, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and toss together. Bake the cauliflower for 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl mix the heavy cream, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheddar, half the bacon, half the green onions, and salt and pepper well. Pour in the roasted cauliflower and toss together.
- Pour the mix into the casserole dish, sprinkle the rest of the cheddar, bacon, and green onions on top, and bake for 20-30 minutes.
