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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Beth Wright
I made this and added ground beef WITH the bacon. MmmMMMM. Beefy, cheesy, bacon perfection. It was perfect with the cauliflower.
Sienna
My kids swear they don’t like cauliflower – but I changed their minds after serving this dish. Its delicious, creamy and inviting!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sienna! So glad that they liked it. Kids are hard to please.
Gerry
I made this recipe the other night and it was so good! Suoer delicious and keto friendly!
Monica D
Absolutely delicious! Thanks a bunch for sharing this loaded cauliflower casserole recipe. It was a hit at my dinner table! Your clear instructions made it a breeze to prepare. So flavorful and satisfying – it’s now a family favorite. Grateful for your tasty contribution to our mealtime joy!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Monica!
Rachel
I love this casserole. It is so tasty and unique! I like it better than mashed potatoes. Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Rachel!
Carol C
Such a yummy way to enjoy cauliflower. This is perfect for my keto diet and hearty enough to enjoy as a main course. I have tried so many of your delicious recipes. You are a blessing.
Beth Pierce
Thank you Carol! That is very kind of you!
Angela Church
This was so yummy and easy to make. It was a great way to get my kids to eat their veggies. Thanks for shairng this delicious dish
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Angela!
Merideth
Yum! I have been cooking with cauliflower a lot lately but no other recipes have been as decadent and satisfying as this one. Everyone wanted seconds. Thanks for the recipe. It was a hit!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Merideth!
Lisa H
Wow! This was just heavenly. I love the combination of cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. It tastes delicious and it is perfect for my low carb lifestyle.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! So happy that you liked it!
Ben R
This stuff is awesome! You can’t beat cauliflower with cheese, bacon, and sour cream. Perfect for low carb diets and just as tasty as loaded potatoes.
Beth Pierce
We agree! We love it too!
Christine
I tried this recipe as an alternative to the usual side dishes that i serve for Thanksgiving. My boyfriend and I agreed that this recipe is a keeper! Delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Christine! So glad that you liked it.
Tina
I made this recipe and it was a hit with my family who doesn’t like cauliflower! Everyone went back for seconds. The only thing I did different was I roasted the cauliflower. (Which I recommend) It turned out WONDERFUL! I definitely will be making this again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tina1 so glad that you and your family enjoyed the cauliflower casserole!
Stacie Anderson
Roasting any veg brings out so much more flavor! I’m glad you posted this because I’ll do the same when I make it. That browning caramelization adds a sweet nuttiness that changes the flavor of every veggie you roast.
So many veggie side dish casseroles can be turned into a main dish casserole by simply adding another veggie or two & a protein. I think adding ham to this would be really good. Chicken or smoked kielbasa would work well too. Iron skillet or oven roasted broccoli would also be great. I think a lot of different veggies would go well in this but others may not agree with me lol. Roasted brussel sprouts or roasted carrots come to mind as well.
Thanks again for sharing that you roasted the cauliflower! Game changer in the flavor!
Kimberly Ladue
This was delicious i did less cheese and less cauliflower since we are only two people. So yummy. I am thinking to mix in some broccoli as well next time to change it up.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kimberly! So glad that you liked the cauliflower casserole!
Amanda
This was the best thing I’ve ever eaten! Such a comfort meal-be prepared to be very full. It’s so tasty and I even added canned chicken to mine and it came out so good! Thank you. Glad I tried this one.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Amanda! It really is a filling meal!
Christina
Boy, this was sooo good! I don’t eat a lot generally, but I had two helpings of this! I followed the recipe, and then added a few things: some pancetta because my BIL must have some kind of meat with every meal, some onion that I sliced thinly and sautéed, and some cream at the end because I was worried the casserole might end up dry. Finally, I sprinkled some fresh thyme, Panko, Parmesan and little cubes of butter for a topping. It was delicious. This recipe is a definite keeper! I plan to put it in a regular rotation because it’s easy and so flavorful. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tips, Christina! I am so glad that you liked the cauliflower casserole.
Amber
My husband loved this asked why I don’t make this more often (because it’s not super healthy.) But it was good enough he raved to his mom about it so I had to send your recipe to her as well.
I do reduce the cheeses to one cup and have used precooked bacon pieces if I don’t feel like cooking bacon in addition to the casserole. Still turns out delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amber! I am so glad that you like the casserole!