Casseroles make the easiest dinners, and in this case, a simple and delicious side! If you like this recipe, you’ll love our Twice Baked Potato Casserole that has a lot of similar ingredients and flavors.
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Sometimes I get tired of making the same recipes week after week. I want something different and tasty but also really easy and something my kids will love too. This cauliflower casserole is all of those things and more! It’s loaded with healthy veggies, it’s tasty, AND it’s easy to throw into the oven for dinner after a long day. The first time I made this recipe, my kids were hesitant to try it. But I can honestly say that they loved it! Even my cauliflower-hating kid loved it. Now that’s saying something. So you have no excuses not to try this casserole recipe. I promise your whole family will love it.
How to Make IT
Start by preheating the oven to 450 degrees. CAULIFLOWER. Spread the cauliflower pieces in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast 15-20 minutes, until crisp-tender, then remove from the oven and leave the oven on. SAUCE. While the cauliflower is roasting, mix together the sour cream, heavy cream, minced garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Toss the cauliflower pieces with the sauce until coated. COMBINE. Mix in half of the cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, and half of the green onions. Pour the cauliflower mixture into a casserole dish, and top with the remaining cheese and bacon. BAKE. Bake 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melty. Sprinkle with the remaining green onions. Serve this casserole hot! Recipe Tips:
Line the pan with parchment paper for easy clean up. You can use frozen cauliflower, but don’t thaw first. You may simply need to add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. I like the rich nutty flavor that comes with rating the cauliflower, but you can use steamed cauliflower as well. Use freshly grated cheese. The prepackaged kind has a coating that doesn’t allow the cheese to melt as easily. Use our Bacon in the Oven Recipe to cook your bacon.
Variation Ideas
Here are a few ideas of things to add to change this up…
Top with fresh chives Use Monterey Jack Cheese (or any of your favorite cheeses) Substitute broccoli for cauliflower or use some of both Add in diced bell peppers for an extra punch of flavor. MEXICAN VERSION – Use Mexican cheese, add peppers and sprinkle with a little chili pepper.
Storing + MORE CAULIFLOWER RECIPES
MAKING AHEAD OF TIME: Prepare the casserole a day in advance and store covered in the fridge. Remove from the fridge 15-20 minutes before baking. Bake according to directions LEFTOVERS: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for about 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw, if applicable, and heat up in the oven or microwave. Love cauliflower and want to make more recipes with it? Here are some of our favs…
Cauliflower Fried Rice Mashed Cauliflower Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower Buffalo Cauliflower Cauliflower Rice Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
For more veggie casseroles, try:
Easy Green Bean Casserole Squash Casserole Twice baked Potato Casserole Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Corn and Bacon Casserole
