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Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

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Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is a low carb, delicious alternative to loaded potato casserole. You’ll want this easy baked cauliflower casserole in regular rotation after you taste how good it is!

white plate with serving of loaded cauliflower casserole

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Serve this loaded cauliflower casserole with crock pot honey bourbon chicken and then have some oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert!

CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE

Buffalo Cauliflower is one of my most popular recipes so I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to make another cauliflower dish. Clearly, the world loves cauliflower.

As much as I love bread and pasta, our whole household could do with a few less carbs. Fortunately, I also love vegetables so I’m trying to focus on making them more exciting than just the usual steamed or roasted (though I do love them that way).

I made this loaded cauliflower casserole last night for dinner and I’m looking forward to leftovers tonight. It really rivals a baked/loaded mashed potato!

The steamed then baked cauliflower really takes on a potato texture and once you load it up with the sour cream, cheese, and bread crumbs, you’ll never miss the potato!

plate of cauliflower casserole next to serving dish

LOADED CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS

  • Cauliflower – a head of cauliflower, washed & broken into florets
  • Water – to steam the cauliflower
  • Sour Cream – to add to the creaminess
  • Cheddar Cheese – or whichever cheese you like, shredded.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs
  • Onion
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Bacon – crisp bacon for the top, optional. Learn how to cook it in the oven.

It’s simple enough to make as a weeknight side but also perfect to serve on a holiday dinner table.

It can easily be made into a vegetarian dish if you omit the bacon on the top, but a little bit of crisp bacon just adds to the flavor.

cauliflower and cheese in bowls to make casserole

HOW DO YOU MAKE CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE?

It’s really easy! First, preheat your oven to 325 and spray an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.

Next, wash your cauliflower and break it up or cut it up into small florets. Add them to a medium saucepan with a cup of water and cook over  medium heat until they’re fork tender, about 8 minutes.

Then, drain off the water and return the cauliflower to the saucepan. To the cooked cauliflower, add the sour cream, cheese, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and onion. Gently mix.

Finally, spread the cauliflower into the prepared pan, sprinkle with more cheese, and bake for 25 minutes. Once done, top with crisp bacon, if desired. That’s it!

collage of cauliflower in sauce pan making casserole

IS LOADED CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE KETO?

Yes, this cauliflower casserole recipe is keto. Swap out the sour cream for Greek yogurt to add another protein source that is healthy and low carb.

CAN YOU USE FROZEN CAULIFLOWER?

You sure can use a bag of steamer cauliflower. Just steam it, then pick up the recipe after the cooking of the cauliflower.

CAN YOU FREEZE CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE?

You can freeze this casserole in an airtight container. It will also keep in the fridge, covered for about 4 days.

Looking for more ways to cook cauliflower? Try my Loaded Potato & Cauliflower Soup or Roasted Cauliflower.

overhead shot of cauliflower casserole topped with bacon

TOOLS TO HELP YOU MAKE THIS CASSEROLE:

  • Santoku Knife – a good kitchen knife makes chopping the cauliflower & onion easy.
  • Medium Saucepan – for cooking the cauliflower.
  • Baking Dish – a like when baking dishes come with lids for leftovers or freezing.

cauliflower casserole on a white plate

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HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE

white plate with serving of loaded cauliflower casserole

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is a low carb, delicious alternative to loaded potato casserole. You'll want this easy baked cauliflower casserole in regular rotation after you taste how good it is!
4.60 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 222 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 medium cauliflower washed & broken into florets
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese + more for topping shredded
  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup onion chopped
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 strip crisp bacon chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and spray a 2 quart casserole dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • Wash your cauliflower and break it up into small pieces. (I usually chop it in half then break up the florets by hand). Add them to a medium saucepan with 1 cup of water. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes or until fork tender.
    1 medium cauliflower, 1 cup water
  • Drain and return to the saucepan.
  • To the cooked cauliflower, add the sour cream, cheddar cheese, panko, salt, pepper, and onion. Gently mix.
    1 cup sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese + more for topping, 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup onion, 1.5 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Spread the mixture into your prepared casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with more shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
  • Top with chopped bacon.
    1 strip crisp bacon

Notes

If you don't have fresh cauliflower, frozen will work. Just steam it in the microwave, then continue the steps.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 839mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 428IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 213mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Originally published September 22, 2015.

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole - a low-carb alternative to loaded potato casserole! | Persnickety Plates #CrystalFarmsCheese AD



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  1. Amy C. says

    The sharper the cheese, the better! Extra-sharp cheddar is my favorite.

  2. Heather says

    I like all cheese. My fav is probably good ol’ cheddar.

  3. Christina Lane says

    5 stars
    his sounds amazing!

  4. Christina Lane says

    5 stars
    Havarti, but any creamy cheese will do!

  5. Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says

    I’m always looking for lower calorie alternatives and this is so great! Plus I prefer cauliflower over potatoes any day 😉

  6. Michelle says

    Wisconsin White Cheddar yum

  7. Melanie says

    Cheddar sounds good to me!

  8. April says

    5 stars
    we love loaded cauliflower casserole! what a beautiful dish, would love to win 🙂

  9. DJ says

    My favorite cheese is cheddar cheese.

  10. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    Asking me to pick my favorite cheese is like asking me to pick my favorite kid…LOL! I love them all. But Gouda is probably in the lead right now. This casserole looks so tasty.

  11. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    I don’t think I could pick a favorite cheese if I tried! I really love all kinds of cheese. I probably have 6 different kinds in the fridge right now…if not more!

  12. Anna C. says

    I love smoked gouda!

  13. Michelle M says

    Swiss cheese has been my “go to” lately. Had a goat cheese quesadilla over the weekend and it was delicious!

  14. Desi B says

    Havarti is my fav!!

  15. LindaW says

    4 stars
    I’m particularly partial to provolone, but cream cheese is great for yummy desserts.

  16. Cathy Watts says

    Recipe looks yummy!! My fav cheese would be baby swiss!!

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