Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is steamed cauliflower combined with cream cheese, sour cream, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, bacon, and chives. Cauliflower has never tasted this good! This delicious cauliflower side dish is quick, easy to make, and low-carb-friendly.
The Best Cauliflower Casserole
This Loaded Cauliflower Bake is AMAZING. Finding new ideas for the same old veggies that everyone in the family loves can be hard work. This, my friends, is a real winner. If you have not tried any of my recipes in a while, you must try this one! Even my picky son loves this one. Forget the loaded baked potato casserole and make this lower-carb, better-tasting version with cauliflower. If you like cauliflower, you must try, cauliflower au gratin, cheesy cauliflower soup, broccoli cauliflower salad, and whole roasted cauliflower.
How to make Cauliflower Casserole
First, steam or boil your cauliflower in a large pot until fork tender. Then drain it well because you don’t want any added moisture in this dish. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Slowly and gently stir in the steamed cauliflower, bacon, and chives.
Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle with a little more bacon. Bake until the cheese is melted and gooey. Garnish with chives and serve hot.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- The cauliflower should be steamed or boiled until it is fork-tender.
- Spray the casserole dish well with nonstick spray, as it makes for easier cleanup.
- For optimum flavor, I recommend full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and cheese for this recipe. It just tastes better with it.
- Other cheeses that work well in this casserole are fontina, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and Parmesan cheese.
- If low carb is not your thing, combine a cup of panko bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking.
- Fresh chives really make this casserole pop! They are worth the added expense and trouble.
- Other garnishes that work well include chopped parsley or green onions.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. I love lots of pepper on this dish.
- This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole can be served as a full meal. It really is very filling, but if more protein is desired, consider adding roasted or grilled chicken or cooked ground beef.
Can you prepare cauliflower casserole in advance?
In a hurry? You can steam the cauliflower ahead of time. As a matter of fact, you can prepare the whole dish in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Bring it out of the refrigerator and set it on the counter for about thirty minutes to warm up a bit. Then pop it in the oven for twenty-five minutes before serving.
Can you use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, follow the instructions for steaming the cauliflower and drain well. Then proceed with the recipe the same as using fresh cauliflower. Generally speaking, frozen cauliflower is more economical.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven on low or in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then, double wrap with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
More vegetable side dishes you will love!
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cauliflower florets cut in bite-size pieces
- 1 box 8 ounces of cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese finely shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives reserve one tablespoon for the top
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Steam the cauliflower until fork tender; approximately 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until creamy and smooth. Gently stir in cauliflower, 1/2 of the bacon, and chives. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Spoon into a casserole dish and top with the remaining bacon. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with remaining chives and serve.
Notes
- The cauliflower should be steamed or boiled until it is fork-tender.
- Spray the casserole dish well with nonstick spray, as it makes for easier cleanup.
- For optimum flavor, I recommend full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and cheese for this recipe. It just tastes better with it.
- Other cheeses that work well in this casserole are fontina, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and Parmesan cheese.
- If low carb is not your thing, combine a cup of panko bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking.
- Fresh chives really make this casserole pop! They are worth the added expense and trouble.
- Other garnishes that work well include chopped parsley or green onions.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. I love lots of pepper on this dish.
- This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole can be served as a full meal. It really is very filling, but if more protein is desired, consider adding roasted or grilled chicken or cooked ground beef.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven on low or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then double wrap with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Amy Tatro
Can this be put together ahead of time and stored in the fridge until cook time?
Beth Pierce
Yes it most certainly can.
Bobbi
Has anyone tried freezing this? I have a food business of Soups Salads and Sides and given our current situation I’d like to freeze this for my customers.
Christina
Making this for Easter. Do you precook the bacon??
Beth Pierce
Enjoy! Yes you do!!
Vicky Murrell
So yummy. I added sautéed onions, mushrooms, and celery. Then, I replaced the bacon with Browned ground turkey. This will be something that I will make again, as my husband said, “Please, do not forget what you did to make this recipe”. It’s a great comfort food casserole and I served with a simple tomato, cucumber onion side salad. Healthy alternative with all the flavor as an unhealthy dish that’s so tempting in this quarantined uncertainty. Thanks for the inspiration!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tips Vicky! So glad that you liked it!! You are most welcome!
Valerie
My husband’s eyes get big when I tell him we’re having this. We love it! I make it with half cauliflower and half broccoli just to make it more colorful. Yum!
Beth Pierce
I love it! Thanks so much Valerie! So glad that you like it!
Karen
I love recipes that have so many tips in the comment section like this. You can get so many ideas from readers who have tried the recipes. This truly is loaded and looks like my kind of cauliflower!
Emily
Yum! This delicious loaded cauliflower casserole was a huge hi t with my whole fam!Emily
HANNAH HEALY
I love how versatile cauliflower is, This looks like a perfect kid friendly recipe. Love that you added bacon too!
Andrea Metlika
What a fantastic casserole this is. I cannot wait to make this.
Mary Bee
Rainy gloomy Monday . . .need a comfort food meal today. I plan to make meatloaf but we’re trying to cut out starchy carbs so no mashed potatoes. I was so pleased to see this recipe ! Sound and looks perfectly delicious, AND I have all the ingredients on hand. I can’t wait for dinner time. Thanks !
Beth Pierce
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! It is Rainy and gloomy here too
Dorothy E
I’m excited to try this recipe! Would one head of cauliflower be enough for this recipe?
Beth Pierce
If it is a large head it should work just fine.
Kelly Anne
We LOVE this recipe! We add in shredded chicken for some protein, but this is one meal that our 4 year old and 2 year old daughters gobble up! Seriously speaking though, cream cheese and sour cream make everything better. 🙂 Thank you so much for this regular dinner rotation!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine. You are most welcome Kelly Anne! Kiddo approved! You can’t do much better than that!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! So glad that everyone liked it. Kiddo approved. You can’t do much better than that!
Jeannie
I made this and only thing I changed was used plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream, which I do in all recipes. Excellent recipe!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jeannie! So glad that you liked it. We love it too!
Becky Hardin
Adding this to my must make list. I am over here thinking I should go to the grocery store and buy the ingredients and make today. yum
Erin
I love cauliflower and this is such a delicious recipe. The whole family loves it every time I make it!
Betsy
This recipe totally makes cauliflower rich and decadent! Incredibly delicious! Perfect side for Thanksgiving instead of potatoes!