Cheesy cauliflower casserole is perfect for low-carb and keto diets. Or just a great veggie dish. Make this today with these easy step-by-step photo instructions.
Introduction
An easy lower-carb healthier version of "Cheesy Potatoes" using cauliflower. So now you can have "Crack Cauliflower Casserole." This really is a great side dish if you are doing any lower-carb diet for any reason.
This is one of those recipes I have done so many times that I never measure anything. But to write it down, I did measure tonight. It was the best one in a long time. Maybe I don't measure well just by sight.
In our old high carb days, we made "cheesy potatoes." This is the low-carb version of that. It's fast and easy. It also is made with things we usually have on hand.
My Rating
Always excellent and tasty. Makes 4 servings and great for leftovers.
The Cauliflower
I have done this recipe for years. I usually buy frozen cauliflower in 1 pound bags and cook in the microwave per package instructions.
However, it is now hard to find one-pound bags. They are mostly 12 oz. So you may use that and decrease the other ingredients.
Can I use fresh cauliflower?
Yes. One medium head of cauliflower (about 2 pounds) will trim out to about 1 pound of well-trimmed florets.
You should precook the fresh cauliflower in a microwave. Place the cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cover bowl loosely but not tightly. Cook on high until tender, 4 to 5 minutes, then drain.
Make it "Crack Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole"
Bacon is a great addition to this but not really necessary. Just cook 2-3 slices of bacon, crumble, and add to the casserole during mixing.
📖Low Carb Recipes
Low Carb Parmesan-Sesame Crackers
🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Use frozen cauliflower. See discussion for using fresh cauliflower.
Cook the entire bag of cauliflower in the microwave. I use a covered dish with about a tablespoon of water on the "frozen vegetable" setting. Or follow instructions on the package. You can use fresh cauliflower. One medium head should yield about one pound and cook in a microwave in 4-5 minutes with a bit of water.
Slice 3 green onions.
Move cauliflower to the mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher. You could also use a mixer or food processor, but you are NOT trying to cream this. Add cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions, salt, and pepper. Bacon is optional.
Mix well and move to a baking pan. I usually use a 7 X 10 Corning Ware dish. It may be refrigerated or cooked now. Cook in preheated oven 375° convection until the top is browned. About 20 minutes. (you may adjust the temp depending on your needs for timing or cooking with other foods)
Try to let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Heat leftovers in the oven. Much better than microwaved.
📖Recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen cauliflower
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions - sliced thin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper - coarse ground
- 3 slices bacon - optional. Cooked and crumbled.
Instructions
- Cook the entire bag of cauliflower in the microwave. I use a covered dish with about a tablespoon of water on the "frozen vegetable" setting. Or follow instructions on the package. You can use fresh cauliflower. One medium head should yield about one pound and cook in a microwave in 4-5 minutes with a bit of water.
- Slice 3 green onions.
- Move cauliflower to the mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher. You could also use a mixer or food processor, but you are NOT trying to cream this. Add cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions, salt, and pepper. Add bacon if using.
- Mix well and move to a baking pan. Maybe refrigerated or cooked now.
- Cook in preheated oven 375° convection until the top is browned. About 20 minutes until nicely browned. (you may adjust the temp depending on your needs for timing or cooking with other foods)
- Try to let set for 5 minutes before serving.
My Private Notes
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- You may use frozen or fresh cauliflower. Cook per instructions.
- Make it "crack" by adding 3 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Reheats well in a microwave.
- Pan size. I usually use a 7 X 10 Corning Ware dish. An 8 X 8 would be good or anything in about that size range.
- Since this was originally published, many bags of frozen cauliflower have "shrunk" to 12 oz from 1 pound. The recipe will need to be decreased by 25% if that is what you have. Cooking time will be about the same.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Editor's Note: Originally Published February 25, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Jan M
This was easy and quick to prepare; I also appreciated the note provided as to the point it could be prepared ahead of time and baked later. I halved the recipe and there was still enough for 4 servings. However, I'm sorry to say we did not enjoy the taste of the sour cream at all. The extra bacon and cheese I added did nothing to cover up the sour cream taste. Some day, I may try it with yogurt as others have suggested, or cream cheese, but as is it just did not work for us.
Sally
This is delicious and I make it a lot. I often don't have green onions so I use yellow onion or dried shallots. Easy to make variations. Sometimes we eat it as a side dish and sometimes as a main dish. Tonight I added 2 cups of leftover chili and maybe 3/4 cup of leftover corn. Added extra cheese on the top.