Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Savor the delightful blend of cauliflower, cream cheese, sour cream, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, crispy bacon, and chives in this Keto-friendly Loaded Cauliflower Casserole.
12 Servings
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
This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is naturally gluten-free as it contains no wheat-based ingredients. However, always check labels on bacon, cheese, and seasonings to ensure they are certified gluten-free.