Steamed cauliflower florets tossed with cream cheese, shredded cheese, bacon, and chives! Ultimate creamy, cheesy comfort food casserole. This easy, baked cauliflower recipe is ready in under 30 minutes.
I'm excited to share with you this easy keto cauliflower recipe. Y'all know cauliflower is an excellent replacement for potatoes (and even rice)!
Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between cauliflower and potatoes when you've cleverly disguised it with other delicious low-carb ingredients and seasonings.
Why You'll Love This Casserole
Cauliflower is so popular now, who knew it could be so versatile? From cauliflower rice to cauliflower pizza crust! From cauliflower gratin to a whole roasted cauliflower! I mean, it's just amazing.
I have more cauliflower recipes; you should check them out: Spicy Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, Pork Tenderloin with Cauliflower Rice, and Stuffed Bell Peppers with Cauliflower Rice.
This keto cauliflower casserole is one of my favorite side dishes! Probably because it's loaded with bacon, sour cream, cheese, heavy cream, and chives that make it so delicious and comforting. You might even call it a loaded cauliflower casserole simply because of those delicious ingredients.
What to Serve With It
I could eat this casserole all by itself as a main dish! But if you want to serve it as a side dish, pair it with my Best of the Best Meatloaf, Baked Lemon Pepper Wings, or Reverse Seared Steak.
What Goes In It
Cauliflower florets - I have directions for both fresh and frozen cauliflower!
Cream cheese and heavy cream - use the full-fat versions for the best flavor and creamy consistency.
Unsalted butter, softened - or use ghee
Seasonings - Garlic powder, Dried dill, sea salt, and black pepper. (Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a nice kick!)
Italian cheese blend - most brands have a blend of mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, asiago, and romano cheeses.
Bacon, cooked and crumbled - the easiest way to cook bacon is in the oven. Less mess, more even cooking, and no flipping. I love that! Check the package for directions.
Fresh chives - fresh is so much better so I hope you'll use it instead of the dried
How to Make It
For the absolute best results, please follow the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
(1) Steam the cauliflower until tender, then place in cold water to stop the cooking.
(2) Transfer steamed cauliflower to a large bowl and add cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.
(3) Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with shredded cheese blend and crumbled bacon. Bake until bubbly and browned.
(4) Remove from oven and top with fresh chives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just make sure it's completely cooled off before placing it into a freezer-friendly container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes, just follow the same instructions, but swap out the cauliflower with broccoli. So easy!
You can make this the day before you plan to serve it. Just prepare the recipe, let it completely cool off, cover it, and place it in the fridge. When ready to serve, pop it in the microwave to heat it up. You can also place it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the bacon.
Expert Tips
- Use all of the seasonings in the ingredient list. It really makes a difference in the flavor!
- Use full-fat cream, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and real butter for the full comfort food experience.
- Use fresh chives for the best flavor. Dried chives can't compare to fresh; you can find fresh chives in the produce section of the grocery store (or grow your own!).
More Resources
I found an excellent article on tips for buying, storing, and preparing fresh cauliflower, be sure to check out this article by Oregon Live 9 Tips for Buying, Storing, and Prepping Cauliflower.
How to Store the Leftovers
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I love these Bayco Glass Storage Containers because the lids lock in place.
More Delicious Side Dishes to Try
Recipe
Keto Cauliflower Casserole
Equipment
- Pot (for steaming cauliflower)
- large mixing bowl
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets, chopped into bite size pieces
- 6 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or ghee)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1-½ cups Italian cheese blend, shredded
- 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place the cauliflower in a steamer basket on top of a pot with boiling water and steam until fork-tender, around 6-7 minutes. (Alternatively, purchase frozen cauliflower florets and cook in the microwave according to package directions). Remove from heat (or microwave). Transfer cauliflower into a cold water bath to prevent further cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
- Transfer steamed cauliflower to a large bowl and add cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.
- Transfer to oven-safe casserole dish and top with shredded cheese blend and crumbled bacon. Place in pre-heated oven and roast until cheese is melted and nicely browned on top, around 8-10 minutes. Tip: place under the broiler for a few minutes to achieve that nice, golden brown color!
- Remove from oven and serve immediately topped with fresh chives.
Notes
- Use all of the seasonings in the ingredient list. It really makes a difference in the flavor!
- Use full-fat cream, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and real butter for the full comfort food experience.
- Use fresh chives. I have planted some in a flower pot in my backyard; when I need them, I go out and snip a few.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2022.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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