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
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Elizabeth Howell
If making ahead, do you bake the casserole after assembling, or just assemble, refrigerate, then bake the next day?
Beth Pierce
I assemble, refrigerate, and then bake. Take the casserole out of the refrigerator 30-40 minutes in advance.
Claudia bell
Delicious! I made this for a dinner party. I also made a loaded potato casserole for those not on a low carb diet. However, everyone ate the cauliflower and loved it! I will be making this at a friends house and wondered if I could use frozen cauliflower as a time saver?
Beth Pierce
So glad that everyone liked it. Yes you can but I would thaw it a bit and remove excess water. I think since frozen veggies are already blanched I would skip the steaming portion of the recipe.
ELIN HORSMAN
This recipe sounds really good but I am concerned the cauliflower would become mushy after it has been steamed then cooked in the oven for that long. Why not used raw?
Beth Pierce
The oven baking time is not long enough to soften the cauliflower but long enough to heat the rest of the ingredients and melt the cheese. I suppose you could partially roast the cauliflower and then add the ingredients and finish baking. It really is up to you.
Mindy
We made this last night. Delish! I steamed the cauliflower in my Ninja Foodi. Mixed the cheeses. Didn’t have bacon, so I used ham slices. Fried them in the Foodi and added smoked paprika. Then we added smoked paprika to the cheese. Delicious. The next time we will use chopped onion and garlic. And, of course, my husband added chili pepper and hot sauce to his bowl! He was very happy with it! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Mindy! So glad that you and your hubby liked the dish. Thanks for all the awesome tips.
Dudie sipe
I could make a meal of steamed cauliflower with butter, but after making this casserole, I’ll never eat it any other way. So good!!! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to add this to my Thanksgiving dinner so my entire family can try it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! So glad that you liked it.
Debra
Would this freeze well? I used a BIG head of cauliflower for this recipe for just my husband and I so have quite a bit leftover. It was delicious!
Beth Pierce
I do not think that this freezes well but some people do think it freezes fine. I am kind of a bit of a food snob. LOL! You might take a bit of it and freeze and see what you think.
Phyllis McKinley
I am on a low sodium, low fat diet for my heart. Can I use fat free cream cheese and sour cream?
Beth Pierce
Unfortunately fat free cream cheese does not melt well.
DGCook
Thanks for the great recipe. I made this for a family BBQ and everyone from the grands to the kids loved it. I especially appreciated the tips that it can be made with frozen cauliflower and can be assembled ahead of time. This recipe is very easy and definitely a repeater for my family.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! So glad that you liked it!
Peter
You might like to be consistent between the number of servings and the nutritional info. The recipe says makes 6 servings; the nutritional analysis claims 12 servings.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the heads up. I fixed it!
Connie
I used this recipe in place of mashed potatoes on my shepherds pie! Game changer! Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine. Interesting idea. I like it!
Tonya Denton
I made this yesterday knowing my husband isn’t much for cauliflower BUT he LOVED this casserole! It seems a bit rich so I may only use half to three-quarters the cream cheese it calls for but that’s just me. It is DELICIOUS and therefore it’s a KEEPER recipe! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tonya! So glad that he liked it!
Laura
Want to try .
Do you think would work with cauliflower rice ?
Beth Pierce
I am not sure Laura! I have not tried.
Kimberly
So, so yummy! I made this for Easter dinner with my husband’s family and everyone raved. I even ate it for breakfast the next morning! I used frozen cauliflower for the first time ever, and it’s going to be my go-to from now on. My husband and I are both diabetic, so this was an added bonus. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome. So glad that you both liked it and it fits your diet needs.
Mary Kneisl
Kimberly, Can I please ask you how you made this Cauliflower casserole recipe using Frozen Cauliflower?? Thank you so very much for this in advance!! Mary from Minnesota
Terri
Can you make this a day ahead of time
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. Be sure to cover and refrigerate. Take out of the refrigerator 30-40 minutes prior to baking.
Terri
Thank you for your quick reply
Amy
I absolutely love this casserole. I add 2 packages of diced ham to make a meal. Its amazing and I feel like I’m eating cheesy potatoes!
Beth Pierce
That sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the tip! So glad that you like the casserole.
Marlene
Could you add chopped chicken into the casserole/ Making it for Sat. company.
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delay. Are you adding cooked chicken? I think cooked chicken would be delicious in this. I am a little apprehensive about adding raw uncooked chicken.