A keto loaded cauliflower casserole recipe that’s a cinch to make. This easy cauliflower bacon cheese casserole is a fantastic side dish for any meal!
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Why you'll love it
Looking for a cheesy cauliflower casserole that’s keto-friendly? This loaded cauliflower casserole recipe is a perfect complement to low-carb main dishes like ground turkey meatloaf muffins.
When watching carbs, sometimes, you miss comfort foods like mashed potatoes. But, eating low carb should never leave you feeling deprived.
If you’re struggling with not eating potatoes, this healthy, loaded cauliflower dish can knock those cravings right out. The keto cauliflower casserole makes a great side dish where you would normally serve potatoes.
This tastes like twice-baked cauliflower, and it's full of filling ingredients.
Loaded cauliflower casserole is so good, and it’s full of flavor while still being low-carb and gluten-free. It tastes just like a loaded baked potato without having to worry about all the carbs that come with it.
Even fussy eaters and children have been known to enjoy it!
Ingredients
There are just a few simple ingredients in this cheesy cauliflower casserole. Here's a bit more information about what I used.
Cauliflower florets
You can use either fresh cauliflower or frozen cauliflower. Either way, you will need to steam them to get them tender enough to mash.
If you are running short on time, just grab a bag of frozen steamed cauliflower from the store.
Butter
Either salted or unsalted butter will work perfectly in this recipe.
If you use salted butter, just make sure to cut back on how much salt you add to the recipe.
Garlic powder
I used garlic powder instead of fresh garlic for my loaded cauliflower casserole. I love how it turned out!
You could also sprinkle in some onion powder or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
Sour cream
For the best flavor, use full-fat sour cream. It will add depth to this tasty casserole.
Chives
For the brightest taste, I suggest using fresh chives. These are optional, so you don't have to use them if you don't like their flavor.
Bacon
Use sugar-free bacon! It's best if you use cooked bacon that is completely cooled down and chopped.
Try baking the bacon in the oven or cook up a batch in the microwave!
Cheese
Feel free to use your favorite type of cheese here. I used a combination of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Tips
- Make sure the cauliflower is fully cooked. It should be fork tender so that it mashes up really well.
- Use your favorite type of cheese. Any grated cheese can be used in place of Monterey and cheddar.
- If the mashed cauliflower is too thin, add some softened cream cheese. You can use this in place of sour cream or add it in addition to it.
Instructions
All the instructions for this keto cauliflower casserole recipe are in the printable recipe card, just a little bit further below. First, I have some additional pictures and tips that will help you as you make it!
Cook the bacon
Before you begin, cook the bacon and then chop it up. Then, set it aside.
Steam the cauliflower
Next, make sure the cauliflower florets are steamed so that they are nice and soft for the loaded cauliflower casserole.
Make mashed cauliflower
Use a food processor to puree the cauliflower florets. Then mix in the butter, garlic powder, sour cream, and chives to make your mashed cauliflower mixture.
Add to a prepared baking dish
Next, spread the mashed cauliflower into a casserole dish and top with chopped bacon and grated cheese.
Bake the loaded cauliflower casserole
Since the cauliflower and bacon are already cooked, you only need to heat it through and let the flavors come together. It should only take about 15 minutes at 375°F.
Therefore, this dish can easily be completed from start to finish within 30 minutes!
????️ Serving suggestions
Ready for delicious cheddar cheese and bacon side dish to serve for dinner? This loaded cauliflower casserole will be enjoyed and asked for again and again.
Serve this with your favorite baked chicken, or add it on the side with a delicious pork chop!
You can prepare this easy low-carb side dish in advance.
It can be made ahead and then put in the refrigerator for a day or two before baking. Or, put the assembled casserole in the freezer for a pre-made side dish to make dinner easier on a busy night.
Variations
To mix things up with this loaded cauliflower casserole, you can use other types of cheese instead of Monterey Jack and cheddar.
The chives can be omitted or replaced with green onions if desired. And if you don’t have any sour cream, cream cheese makes a great substitute.
Or, try using mixing in a pre-made low-carb cheese sauce into the mashed cauliflower instead.
If you have leftover roasted cauliflower, you can use that in place of fresh or frozen cauliflower florets.
To make it a complete meal, add some shredded rotisserie chicken on top.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it.
Loaded cauliflower casserole includes all the best toppings for baked potatoes mixed in with mashed cauliflower. This cauliflower bake has cheese, sour cream, bacon, and even chives and butter, which give it an amazing flavor.
It’s an easy cauliflower casserole that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s a fantastic dish to serve at holiday dinners and special occasions too!
You bet! Since this cauliflower casserole recipe features cauliflower, bacon, and cheese, it’s a great high-fat dish that's low in carbs.
While cauliflower has some carbohydrates, the net carb count is low. And it’s a great alternative to eating potatoes or even rice when you are following a ketogenic eating plan.
Related recipes
If you enjoyed this loaded cauliflower recipe, here are a few other keto cauliflower recipes you may want to try. These low-carb side dishes are some of my favorite recipes!
- Garlic Cauliflower Fried Rice is a classic side dish that you can serve with any main course that you cook.
- Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Soufflé is a surprisingly light side dish that is infused with incredible flavors.
- Garlic Cauliflower Mash is the perfect way to replace mashed potatoes - serve it with some steak or fried chicken.
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese taste just like your favorite pasta, but it is low-carb and keto-friendly.
- Cauliflower Au Gratin has tons of cheesy goodness and is the perfect copycat of au gratin potatoes.
You can also give the Loaded Fauxtato Skins recipe a try. It’s an awesome appetizer that Tasha over at Ketogasm came up with.
There’s also a collection of delicious cauliflower rice recipes you may want to check out. When it comes to satisfying cravings for rice and potatoes, cauliflower is the perfect low-carb alternative.
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Recipe
Keto Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- 2 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- ½ cup shredded Monterey jack
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook bacon until cooked through. Remove and allow to cool. Then chop.
- In a large bowl place cauliflower with water. Cover and steam in microwave for 5-8 minutes. Drain.
- Place cauliflower in food processor and blend until consistency of mashed potatoes.
- Blend in butter, garlic powder, sour cream and chives to the mashed cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread mashed cauliflower mixture evenly onto the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Top with the chopped bacon and grated cheese.
- Bake in a 375° oven for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes.
Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on April 8, 2019. Post updated on May 17, 2022, with additional recipe information and new photos.
Venita
Made it for the first time tonight. Family wolfed it down. The 16 mo old granddaughter ate as much as anybody. GREAT RECIPE. Thanks so much. I just started the Keto diet 3 weeks ago. It’s fun.
Julia
This looks wonderful! I’m going to try it for Thanksgiving!
I’m presuming that you mean to chop the chives and shred the cheese before you measure but that’s not how the recipe is written. If you shred before you measure you should write X cups of shredded cheese. Not being critical I’ve just been reading recipes for almost 60 years! I’m going to try more of your recipes I’m sure! Thanks.
Lisa MarcAurele
Ingredients should be measured after chopped and shredded. Thanks!
Janet
This was a delicious recipe and very easy to make
Mary
This was awesome
Louanne C
I made this without mashing the cauliflower, it was fabulous like all your recipes!