This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is packed with creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and tender cauliflower—a delicious, low-carb twist on a classic!
Let’s be honest—cauliflower isn’t exactly the most thrilling vegetable out there. It’s kind of the introvert of the veggie world, quietly sitting in the produce aisle while flashier options like bell peppers and avocados steal the spotlight.
I used to overlook cauliflower myself, thinking it was just a sad substitute for real comfort food. But one night, I had a loaded cauliflower dish at a friend’s dinner party, and my entire perspective changed. It had bacon, melted cheese, sour cream—basically everything that makes life worth living. And yet, it wasn’t a carb-heavy gut bomb.
So, I went home, did a little experimenting, and voilà—this Loaded Cauliflower Casserole was born. And let me tell you, even my carb-loving family couldn’t get enough. This dish is creamy, cheesy, and packed with smoky bacon flavor—basically, it’s everything you love about a loaded baked potato, minus the carbs.
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe?
- It tastes like a loaded baked potato. Seriously, you won’t even miss the potatoes.
- It’s keto-friendly but still indulgent. Because cheese and bacon.
- Super easy to make. Just steam, mix, bake, and devour.
- Great for meal prep. It reheats like a dream, making it perfect for busy weeks.
- Even picky eaters love it. If you’ve got a cauliflower skeptic in your house, this will change their mind.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s break down the magic behind this casserole:
- Cauliflower: The star of the show. It’s mild, tender, and perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness.
- Cream Cheese & Sour Cream: This combo gives the dish its signature creaminess.
- Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese: One brings sharp, tangy flavor; the other melts like a dream.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Small but mighty, these seasonings add a punch of flavor.
- Bacon: Because everything is better with crispy bacon. End of discussion.
- Chives: A pop of freshness that balances the richness.
How To Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole?
Step 1: Steam the Cauliflower
Start by steaming your cauliflower florets until they’re fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Once done, drain them really well—trust me, excess water is the enemy of a perfect casserole.
Step 2: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. No one wants their cheese stuck to the pan!
Step 3: Make the Cheese Mixture
In a big mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheeses, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Then, fold in your steamed cauliflower, half the bacon, and most of the chives. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
Spread the mixture into your baking dish, then sprinkle the remaining bacon on top. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until it’s hot, bubbly, and golden.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
Want To Save This Recipe?
Once out of the oven, sprinkle on the reserved chives for a little color and freshness. Serve warm and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results.
- Freeze:
Freeze before baking for best texture. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 375°F until heated through.
Variations and Substitutions:
Want to mix things up? Here are some ideas:
- Swap the cheese – Try gouda, pepper jack, or smoked cheddar for a twist.
- Add protein – Stir in cooked chicken or sausage to make it a full meal.
- Make it spicy – Add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Dairy-free? – Use dairy-free cheese and coconut cream instead of sour cream.
What to Serve with Loaded Cauliflower Casserole?
This dish is hearty on its own, but here are some ideas to round out the meal:
- Grilled Chicken or Steak – A protein-packed dinner combo.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts – More veggies = balance, right?
- A Simple Side Salad – Something fresh and crisp works well.
- Low-Carb Rolls – If you’re going for maximum comfort food.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yep! Just steam it a bit longer and drain really well to avoid a watery casserole.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble it ahead, refrigerate overnight, and bake when ready.
How do I get a crispy top?
Try broiling it for 2-3 minutes at the end for that golden, cheesy crust.
If you’re looking for a cozy, cheesy, low-carb dish that delivers big comfort food energy, this Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is it. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Let me know in the comments—are you team cauliflower for life, or do you need convincing?
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of cauliflower segmented into bite-sized florets
- 8 ounces of cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups of finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups of finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 6 slices of bacon cooked until crisp and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh chives finely chopped (reserve one tablespoon for garnish)
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Steaming the Cauliflower: Begin by steaming the cauliflower florets until they achieve a fork-tender consistency, approximately 10 minutes. Following the steaming process, ensure the florets are thoroughly drained by placing them in a colander.
- Preparing the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to a temperature of 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Concurrently, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cheese Mixture Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, both varieties of shredded cheese (sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack), garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix these ingredients until they form a creamy, homogenous mixture. Following this, gently incorporate the steamed cauliflower, half of the chopped bacon, and the majority of the chives into the mixture. Season this combination with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste preferences.
- Assembling the Casserole: Transfer the prepared mixture into the greased baking dish. Evenly distribute the remaining bacon over the top of the mixture.
- Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for a duration of 20-25 minutes, or until you observe that the cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Final Garnishing and Serving: Upon completion of the baking process, remove the dish from the oven. Garnish the top of the casserole with the reserved chives. The dish is now ready to be served.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
2 Responses
I made this for our house, and my grown daughter‘s house. This was amazing my husband about lost his mind. He is in love with cauliflower to make it as a loaded cauliflower.” baked. Potato.” there were no leftovers.
This was amazing! I had a whole cauliflower and there are 2 of us so I wanted something different and this was great. I will have it for lunch and dinner again!