Description
Savory loaded cauliflower casserole brings comfort and cheesy goodness to dinner tables across home kitchens. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful side dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 6 cups / 1.4 kg), cut into florets
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml / 240 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml / 120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup (120 ml / 120 g) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Roasting Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and crispy, creating a caramelized flavor foundation.
- Cheese Sauce Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella until smooth and creamy. Whisk thoroughly to eliminate any lumps and create a rich, velvety sauce.
- Combining Ingredients: Gently incorporate roasted cauliflower into the cheese mixture, ensuring each floret is completely enveloped in the decadent sauce. Transfer the combined mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Final Topping and Baking: Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon across the surface. Bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly with a golden-brown finish.
- Serving: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley, adding a burst of color and fresh flavor to the indulgent cauliflower casserole.
Notes
- Optimize Cauliflower Roasting: Pat florets completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum caramelization and prevent soggy texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cheese mixture to reach room temperature before combining to create smoother, more even sauce without lumps.
- Bacon Crispness Hack: Cook bacon separately until extra crispy, then crumble to maintain crunchiness and prevent moisture absorption in casserole.
- Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace traditional breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for keto-friendly crunchy topping, maintaining dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 456 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg