Loaded Cauliflower Casserole with Bacon and Cheese
Rounding out your dinner with a healthy, low-carb side dish is easier than you might think! With the help of this easy loaded cauliflower casserole, you can enjoy a cheesy side topped with crispy bacon without the guilt. This keto dinner idea is also quick to prepare and packed with flavor! You won't even miss the potatoes when you dig in!
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What Do I Need to Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole?
Made with all the ingredients of a classic loaded potato - without the carbs, this simple side dish is your answer to satisfying your dinner time cravings. To make this easy side dish tonight, you'll need:
- Cauliflower florets
- Bacon slices
- Garlic cloves
- Thyme sprigs
- Unsalted butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese
How Do I Make a Loaded Cauliflower Casserole?
Once you whip up this veggie side dish, you won't want to add potatoes to your dinner menu again! That's because you can enjoy a baked potato's flavor without the added carbs and calories. But the best part is how simple it is to make. Just follow these easy baking instructions.
Step One: Prepare the Cauliflower
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is heating up, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook until the florets are tender, which takes around 15 minutes depending on the size of the florets.
Step Two: Cook the Bacon
While the cauliflower is boiling, heat a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the bacon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add the garlic and thyme sprigs to the pan. Continue cooking for two more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the garlic is fragrant.
Step Three: Mash the Cauliflower
After cooking the cauliflower, strain the vegetables from the hot water and return them to the pan. Add the butter and parmesan cheese and stir to mix. Season with salt and pepper, then mash the cauliflower until smooth.
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Step Four: Bake the Casserole
Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Place in the preheated oven to bake for around 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and browned. Chop the bacon and sprinkle it on top of the casserole before serving.
How Do You Store Loaded Cauliflower Casserole?
This loaded cauliflower casserole will be a hit with everyone in the family! But if you have extras when dinner is over, they should be refrigerated. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container, and they'll stay good in the fridge for up to four days.
To reheat the leftovers, warm them in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes until warmed through.
Can I Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Ahead of Time?
Another great thing about this keto side dish is that you can make it and store it in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to enjoy it. If you plan to eat the casserole within two days, you can prepare it in the baking dish and store it covered in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze the dish for longer-term storage. After baking the casserole, allow it to cool completely. Then, cover the dish with foil and freeze it for up to one month. When you're ready to bake the dish, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake according to the recipe instructions.
Cauliflower Casserole Recipe Ideas
This mashed cauliflower recipe is a great starting point for creating a delicious low-carb side dish for dinner over and over! With the help of these recipe ideas, you can adjust the ingredients to create a delicious dish everyone in the family will love.
- Use frozen cauliflower. Don't have time to boil fresh cauliflower florets? Don't worry! You can also use frozen cauliflower to make this recipe. Just cook the cauliflower according to the package instructions, then mash it with the butter and parmesan cheese before baking.
- Make it with riced cauliflower. Another easy way to speed up the prep time of this side dish is to use frozen riced cauliflower. After preparing the cauliflower according to the instructions on the package, mix it with butter and parmesan cheese before spreading it in the casserole dish and baking.
- Add more seasoning. Salt and pepper are a great starting point for seasoning your mashed cauliflower. But if you want to add even more flavor to your side dish, you can mix in some ranch seasoning, fresh herbs, or Italian seasoning.
- Make it creamy. To make your cauliflower look and feel more like mashed potatoes, add some creaminess to the dish. For a creamier texture, add some sour cream or cream cheese to the cauliflower mixture before spreading it in the pan.
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole with Bacon and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 lb cauliflower florets
- 4 bacon slices cut in pieces
- 5 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt more to taste, if desired
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper more to taste, if desired
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot to boil with salted water. Add cauliflower and cook until tender. It will take about 15 minutes depending on the size of the florets.
- While cauliflower is cooking, heat a skillet on medium heat, add bacon pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add garlic cloves and thyme sprigs. Cook for 2 minutes by stirring occasionally. Remove and set aside.
- When cauliflower is cooked, remove and drain the hot water. Don’t drain under cold water. Bring cauliflower back in the pot, add butter and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mashed cauliflower in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle cheddar on top. Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and is nicely browned. About 10 minutes.
- Remove and add bacon with garlic and thyme on top.
- Serve hot with your favorite main dish.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
How to freeze
Allow to cool down and freeze in an airtight container for 1 month.
How to reheat
Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
