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    Home » Side Dishes » Keto Cauliflower Casserole

    Keto Cauliflower Casserole

    Published: Dec 22, 2020 by Wendy Polisi Modified: May 19, 2021 · 850 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Keto Cauliflower Casserole is so rich, creamy, and delicious that you won't miss the carbs! Cheesy, buttery comfort food like this is satisfying in its own right and makes a hearty side that both kids and adults will love. This is a company-worthy dish a turn to again and again.

    Photo of a white casserole dish with Keto Cauliflower Casserole with a cheesy spoon being pulled from it.

    If there were a super-hero vegetable in the low carb world, cauliflower would surely be it. It is mild tasting and one of the most versatile veggies around.

    From Buffalo Cauliflower Wings to Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, and even Cauliflower Hummus, it really does do it all.

    I love Mashed Cauliflower, and this Mashed Cauliflower Casserole is irresistible. I served it to the family the day after making it, and they couldn't believe how much like potatoes it was.

    Ingredients for Making Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

    • Cauliflower - Look for firm, bright white heads that are free from brown spots. Cauliflower will keep for a week or more if you store it wrapped in paper towels in a produce bag.
    • Cream Cheese - Use full-fat cream cheese.
    • Butter -  I like to use unsalted butter because it gives me more control over the final dish's salt level. If all you have is salted butter, it will work just fine but make sure that you add less salt and adjust to your taste.
    • Sour Cream - You want to use full-fat sour cream.
    • Salt and Pepper - I use finely ground sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.
    • Cayenne Pepper - I like the subtle heat this adds, but if your family shuns heat, feel free to omit this.
    • Cheddar Cheese - My preference is for fresh grated sharp cheddar. Freshly grated cheese typically has a fuller flavor than pre-grated, and it is free of unnecessary fillers.
    • Bacon - To make recipes like this Keto Loaded Cauliflower Mash easier, I like to bake a couple of packages of bacon during my weekly meal prep.
    • Chives - I grow chives in a pot throughout the year so that I always have them on hand. If you don't have them, green onions (also called spring onions) make an excellent substitute.
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    Tips and Tricks

    • If you want to brown the top, turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on it, so it doesn't burn!
    • Make sure you process the cauliflower long enough in the food processor. Thoroughly processing helps this Loaded Cauliflower Mash more closely resemble mashed potatoes.

    Tools Needed to Make Mashed Cauliflower Casserole

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn From Qualifying Sales

    • Food processor
    • 9" x 9" baking dish

    Variations

    • Use chopped green onions in place of chives.
    • Feel free to play with the cheese here! Any shreddable cheese works - smoked gouda is a particular favorite of mine.
    • Roasted cauliflower works nicely here too.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Cauliflower Ok on Keto?

    Absolutely! Cauliflower is a fantastic option for keto. A cup of cauliflower contains just two net carbs.

    Can This Recipe Be Made Ahead of Time?

    Yes, this is a great recipe to make ahead of time. You can cook it and then reheat or prepare the casserole and then bake it just before serving.

    How to Make Keto Cauliflower Casserole

    Start by preheating your oven and preparing your pan.

    Bring water to a boil and cook the cauliflower florets until tender, about five minutes. Drain and place on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

    Photo of boiled cauliflower florets draining on paper towels.

    Place the cauliflower, cream cheese, butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in your food processor.

    Photo of all of the ingredients for mashed cauliflower ready to be blended in a food processor.

    Process until very smooth - at least three minutes.

    Photo of mashed cauliflower in a food processor.

    Add in a cup of the cheddar, half of the bacon and the chives. Pulse until just combined.

    Photo of mashed cauliflower in a white casserole dish.

    Transfer to the prepared baking dish and top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake for 20 minutes.

    Overhead photo of a white casserole dish with loaded cauliflower casserole.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.
    Square overhead photo of Keto Cauliflower Casserole with a cheese pull.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Keto Cauliflower Casserole

    When you are craving comfort food, it doesn't get any better than this Keto Loaded Cauliflower. It makes a great side dish, though I often serve it as a main course. If you are looking to reduce the calories, simply omitting the bacon will save you 100 calories per serving. (Though, really, life is pretty short to skip the bacon, right?)
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Casserole
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 402.65kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • 2 heads cauliflower cut into florets
    • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed and at room temperature
    • ½ cup unsalted butter sliced and at room temperature
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
    • 8 ounces bacon cooked and crumbled, divided
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh chives

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400° F. Spray a 9" x 9" pan with cooking spray.
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Drain and place the cauliflower on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
    • Transfer to a food processor and add cream cheese, butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. If you would like the consistency to be thinner, add in heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
    • Process for 3 to 5 minutes, until very smooth.
    • Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, and the chives. Pulse until just combined.
    • Transfer to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
    • Bake for 20 minutes. Garnish with additional chives if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 402.65kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.9g | Protein: 11.44g | Fat: 38.16g | Saturated Fat: 20.67g | Cholesterol: 100.01mg | Sodium: 747.69mg | Potassium: 289.25mg | Fiber: 1.08g | Sugar: 2.53g | Vitamin A: 987.16IU | Vitamin C: 25.75mg | Calcium: 225.99mg | Iron: 0.59mg
    « Keto Turkey Tenderloin
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Taylor

      December 26, 2020 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      This was unbelievable. The flavor was fantastic. My father-in-law was convinced it was potatoes and asked for second helpings (something he never does).

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 26, 2020 at 6:01 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do! My husband had the same exact reaction.

        Reply
    2. sheila wright

      March 07, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      I have been low carb for many years now and Wendy you have THE BEST LOW CARB RECIPES...
      Thank you...I am 77 and love my way of life...LOVE IT...
      this will be made soon as I get to the store...
      sheila

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        March 07, 2021 at 12:06 pm

        You are so sweet Shelia! I hope you like this one as much as I do. It is one of my absolute favorites and on my menu for tomorrow night.

        Reply
    3. Susie

      January 14, 2023 at 12:31 am

      I'm new to the Low Carb diet. Your recipe sounds great. Could you tell me how many servings it makes, how many carbs per serving & how many net carbs per serving.
      Sorry if it was stated & I over-looked it.

      Reply

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    Welcome

    I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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