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.
Editor’s Note: Originally Published February 25, 2010. Updated with expanded discussion and updated photos.
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
Alway excellent and tasty. Makes 4 servings and great for leftovers.
Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
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 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.
Other Low Carb Recipes to Enjoy
Low Carb Parmesan-Sesame Crackers
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 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 mixing bowl and mash with 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 baking pan. I usually use a 7 X 10 Corning Ware dish. May be refrigerated or cooked now. Cook in preheated oven 375 convection until 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.
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Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen cauliflower
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions - sliced thin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 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 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 mixing bowl and mash with 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 baking pan. May be refrigerated or cooked now.
- Cook in preheated oven 375 convection until 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.
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.
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
Originally Published February 25, 2010.
Lilly and Molly 6 months 3 weeks
Lisa
November 19, 2018 at 7:53 pmThis was great! Used a little less cheese though.
Kate
August 23, 2018 at 7:00 pmThese were so good! My husband hates cauliflower. I gave him a bite and he immediately went and grabbed a plate to get a serving! :)
Vicky
June 26, 2018 at 7:43 pmTried this tonight and it was great left out sour cream for less calories and was still delicious
jen
November 27, 2016 at 7:20 pmWhat size pan did you use?
DrDan
November 27, 2016 at 7:29 pmI usually use a 7X10 (approx.) Corning dish but that is about equal to a 9 inch round cake pan. The size of the dish doesn’t matter much.
DrDan
November 13, 2016 at 3:26 pmI have seen similar recipes with cream cheese but not my taste. A common substitute for sour cream is plain yogurt but I have not tried it here. If you try the yogurt, please post the results here. Inquiring minds want to know. I would give it a trial run soon and not depend on it working well for Thanksgiving without testing.
Michelle
November 13, 2016 at 12:42 pmThis sounds great, thinking of taking for Thanksgiving! Is there anything I could use instead of sour cream?
Jen
October 26, 2016 at 10:17 pmThis was awesome! I love funeral potatoes, but these were so similar. My husband isn’t a big cauliflower fan and he loved them.
Mrs. Leeberg
February 4, 2016 at 11:00 pmThis recipe is beyond delicious! It has become a staple side dish ever since we started eating low carb high fat. Sometimes I add a little bacon and/or Uncle Dan’s ranch seasoning to it, just to change it up a bit. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jane
July 4, 2015 at 2:36 pmI was wondering if you knew the calories, etc. for a serving. I made it and my family loved it.
DrDan
July 4, 2015 at 3:00 pm1090 per recipe which is 272 per serving assuming 4 servings but those are large servings This is low carb not low fat. You can decrease that by about 20% if you use lower fat sour cream and cheese.
Thanks for the note and rating
DrDan
Karen Dwyer
December 9, 2014 at 8:32 pmIt’s even more delicious with lots of bacon crumbled into it!
Meredith Brasca
August 26, 2014 at 9:56 pmVery tasty! I was in a bit of a hurry, so I put in in the microwave for 5 minutes, stirred it, and then into the oven for 5 to brown the top. My dad – who does not like cauliflower, liked this. He likes a bit of crunch so I sprinkled some panko crumbs on top and hit broil for 1 more minute. Came out great.
jen
October 26, 2016 at 8:10 pmLove the panko crust idea! I’m trying this tonight
Chelsea
March 25, 2014 at 12:28 pmDo you think this could be made in a crock pot? If so, any suggestions on cooking times/temps?
DrDan
March 26, 2014 at 12:04 pmMost things “can” be cooking in a crock pot. Since nothing is raw except the onion (which doesn’t matter much) it is safe. So you just need to get it hot enough to melt and combine ingredients. I will just guess 1 hour on high and then check it since it may take 2 hours. If you try it please post your results. We like the browned top so I won’t be doing it.
DrDan
carolyn
January 19, 2014 at 2:40 amyummm can’t wait to try so easy. Thanks. I love CC