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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Side Dish Recipes

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole (Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower)

Updated: Jun 17, 2025 ยท Published: Feb 25, 2010 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 25 Comments

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Time: 30 minutes mins

No more boring, bland steamed vegetables for you. This cheesy cauliflower casserole delivers the creamy richness you crave and works with either fresh or frozen cauliflower. Whether you're eating low carb or just want an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish, this simple 30-minute recipe is satisfying and surprisingly versatile.

Cheesy cauliflower casserole on a white plate.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ˜ŠWhy You'll Love This Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
  • ๐ŸฅฃIngredients you will need
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: How to Make Cauliflower Casserole
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณAdd-0ns and Variations
  • ๐Ÿ‘About the cauliflower
  • ๐Ÿ˜ŠTopping options
  • ๐Ÿ“…Making ahead
  • ๐Ÿ‘Related recipes to try
  • โ„๏ธStorage of leftovers
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

quote mark
A reader's favorite, they keep repeating:
Sallyโ€”โญโญโญโญโญ"This is delicious and I make it a lot."
Mrs. Leeburgโ€”โญโญโญโญโญ"This recipe is beyond delicious! It has become a staple side dish ever since we started eating low-carb, high-fat.

๐Ÿ˜ŠWhy You'll Love This Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

  • Quick and easy: From prep to table in about 30 minutes
  • Great potato lovers: It's like "cheesy potatoes" without the carbs
  • Low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly: without the "diet food" taste
  • Versatile: using fresh or frozen cauliflower
  • Easy to modify: Use a different cheese or adding flavor with your favorite spices and herbs.
  • Easy to love: Perfect for family dinners or potlucks

๐ŸฅฃIngredients you will need

Cauliflower with casserole ingredientsโ€”labeled.

Cauliflower (fresh or frozen)
Sour cream
Cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
Green onions
Optional: Bacon, ham, other proteins. Smoked paprika, garlic powder

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: How to Make Cauliflower Casserole

1. Prep Time

a. Preheat the oven to 375ยฐ convection or 400ยฐ conventional.
b. Cook cauliflower in the microwave.
c. Slice green onions.

Putting cauliflower into the microwave.

โœ…Microwave cooking cauliflower: For frozen, follow the package instructions. For fresh, wash, trim, and cook on high until tender โ€” 4โ€“5 minutes.

2. Mixing

Mash the cauliflower and mix with cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onion, salt, and black pepper. Bacon is optional.

Mashing cauliflower with a potato masher.

3. Baking

Pour the mixture into a prepared baking pan. Cook in the oven until the top is browned and bubbling around the edgesโ€”about 20 to 25 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving

baked cauliflower casserole in dish

๐Ÿ“ŒFor complete step-by-step instructions, scroll down to theย printable recipe cardย or keep reading for tips, flavor options, and serving ideas.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณAdd-0ns and Variations

  • Cheeses: Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or Swiss
  • Spices: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian herbs
  • Proteins: Bacon, ham, shredded chicken
  • Add some heat: cayenne pepper, hot sauce, jalapeno pepper

๐Ÿ‘About the cauliflower

๐Ÿ‘ Pro Tip: No matter how you cook the cauliflower, for the best texture, drain cooked cauliflower thoroughly to avoid a watery casserole.

๐Ÿค”Using frozen cauliflower

This is a perfect frozen cauliflower casserole recipe. No need to thawโ€”just follow the package instructions to cook.

The recipe is for one pound of florets, but bags have gotten smaller. Now, most frozen cauliflower comes in 12-oz. bags. If you use 12 oz., please adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

๐Ÿค”Using fresh cauliflower

You can use fresh cauliflower. One medium head of cauliflower (approximately 2 pounds) will yield about 1 pound of well-trimmed florets. You should cook the fresh cauliflower in a microwave or boil it.

To cook in the microwave: Place the cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl loosely but not tightly. Cook on high until tender, 4-5 minutes, and then drain.

โš•๏ธSafety Tips: Fresh cauliflower should be washed to remove dirt, bacteria, and potential pesticide residue. I suggest rinsing before trimming, then a more thorough cleaning after trimming.

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๐Ÿ˜ŠTopping options

  • No topping (my usual go-toโ€”itโ€™s rich enough without one)
  • Low-carb topping: low-carb breadcrumbs or pork rinds, grated parmesan, crumbles of bacon, a shake of paprika (like old-fashioned scalloped potatoes)
  • Higher carb toppings: cornflakes, crushed potato chips, or Ritz crackers with melted butter. Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter can also be used.

๐Ÿ“…Making ahead

While this is a quick and easy casserole to assemble, there may be times you need to make it ahead. Assemble the casserole, ready to cook, then prepare for storage. Refrigerate for 2 days or freeze for 2 months.

To cook, if frozen, thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator. Follow the baking instructions, but allow 5โ€“10 extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.

๐Ÿ‘Related recipes to try

If you're following a low-carb diet, consider trying these popular low-carb recipes. Start with this super-easy Low Carb Tortilla Pizza and add some crunch with Low Carb Parmesan-Sesame Crackers. And top it off with Low-Carb Lemonade with Splenda.

Or try other popular cauliflower recipes, such as Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.

โ„๏ธStorage of leftovers

For leftovers, store sealed airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheating in the microwave, but we prefer the oven.

โ“FAQs

Whatโ€™s the best cheese for cauliflower casserole?

Mild cheddar is my go-to choice, but sharp cheddar offers a stronger flavor. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Swiss are all great options. Use what you like and what melts well.

How do I keep cauliflower casserole from getting watery?

Nobody likes a soggy, runny casserole. Be sure to drain the cauliflower well after cooking. I always pat dry the florets with paper towels. If the cauliflower seems moist after mashing, press down on it with additional paper towels.

The other source of fluid is the sour cream. I always feel that cheaper generic sour cream is runny, so I buy the good stuff.

Lastly, a bag of frozen cauliflower is usually 12 oz., not 16 oz. anymore. If you didn't use the right amount or adjust the recipe, your casserole will be very runny.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Cheesy cauliflower casserole on a white plate.

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole (Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower)

4.38 from 67 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Creamy, cheesy, and comfortingโ€”this easy cauliflower casserole is ready in 30 minutes and works with fresh or frozen cauliflower. Itโ€™s a low-carb, keto-friendly side that never feels like a compromise.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :4
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 lb frozen cauliflower
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 3 green onions - sliced thin
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยผ teaspoon black pepper - coarse ground
  • 3 slices bacon - optional. Cooked and crumbled.

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ยฐ convection or 400ยฐ conventional.
    Cauliflower with casserole ingredientsโ€”labeled.
  • Use frozen cauliflower and cook 1 pound of cauliflower florets in the microwave. Follow the instructions on the package. Drain and pat dry.
    For Fresh Cauliflower: One medium head of cauliflower (approximately 2 pounds) yields about 1 pound of well-trimmed florets after trimming. Be sure to clean well.
    Place the fresh cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl loosely but not tightly. Cook on high until tender, 4-5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
    Putting cauliflower into the microwave.
  • Prepare a 6x9 baking dish or a 9x10 casserole dish with PAM cooking spray.
    spray casserole dish with PAM
  • Slice 3 green onions.
    slicing green onion on wooden board.
  • Add the cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and mash it with a potato masher or fork. You could also use a mixer or food processor, but you are NOT trying to cream this. Add cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onion, salt, and black pepper. Bacon is optional.
    Mashing cauliflower with a potato masher.
  • Mix well and pour the mixture into aย prepared baking pan. It may be refrigerated or cooked now.ย 
    moving casserole filling to baking dish
  • Cook in the oven until the top is browned and bubbling around the edgesโ€”about 20 to 25 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
    baked cauliflower casserole in dish

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Optional ingredients and variations are in the recipe post.
  2. It reheats well in the microwave, but we prefer to use the oven.
  3. Pan size. I usually use a 7x10 CorningWare dish. A 6x9 or an 8x8 would be good, or anything in that size range.
  4. Since this was initially published, many bags of frozen cauliflower have been reduced in size from 1 pound to 12 oz. The recipe will need to be decreased by 25% ย if that is what you have. Cooking time will be about the same.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 263 kcal (13%)Carbohydrates : 8 g (3%)Protein : 11 g (22%)Fat : 20 g (31%)Saturated Fat : 13 g (65%)Polyunsaturated Fat : 0.4 gMonounsaturated Fat : 3 gCholesterol : 69 mg (23%)Sodium : 476 mg (20%)Potassium : 269 mg (8%)Fiber : 3 g (12%)Sugar : 5 g (6%)Vitamin A : 750 IU (15%)Vitamin C : 78.4 mg (95%)Calcium : 270 mg (27%)Iron : 0.9 mg (5%)

I was initially inspired by my Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes when we wanted a smaller, non-potato casserole side dish 15 years ago, and I've repeated the recipe many times since.

Dogs romping in the yard.
Lilly and Molly 6 months 3 weeks

Editor's Note: Originally Published February 25, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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  1. Jan M says

    January 29, 2021 at 9:37 am

    3 stars
    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.

    Reply
  2. Sally says

    October 28, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  3. Marla Williams says

    September 23, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious. Can it be made and frozen. If it can be frozen, then should I bake it first or just mix together to bake later?
    Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      September 23, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Maria,

      Welcome to the blog.

      You can freeze this either before or after cooking. It should do well frozen for 2-3 months either cooked or uncooked.

      If frozen before cooking, thaw completely before baking.

      Dan

  4. Dee says

    April 28, 2020 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    Tried this last night, I added extra bacon, and it was delicious. It tasted similar to mashed potatoes. Hubby loved it and so this will be on my recipe software. Thanks!

    Reply
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