This Tacky Cauliflower Casserole is a mix of cauliflower florets, cheddar cheese, bacon, and creamy sauce. And it’s tremendous simple to make—excellent for the vacations, or anytime! Sort of like a Loaded Baked Potato…however with out the carbs!
On the lookout for extra Thanksgiving sides? Do that simple corn casserole recipe!
An Straightforward, Tacky Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Do you’re keen on all issues au gratin? I do, too. The truth is, any creamy, cheese-filled casserole is ok with me! From good outdated broccoli and cheese casserole to Rooster Cordon Bleu Casserole and the whole lot in between, tacky bakes are one among my favourite methods to serve up a saucy important course or aspect dish.
Let me introduce you to this attractive dish: a tacky cauliflower casserole that isn’t simply scrumptious—it’s made nearly fully from scratch. Plus, it turns right into a keto, low carb aspect with one simple swap (see the “Suggestions and Variations” part under)!
With a base of cream cheese, bitter cream, and grated cheddar, plus a sprinkling of bacon and bread crumbs, this cozy casserole turns common outdated cauliflower right into a heat and comfortable veggie choice the entire household will devour!
What You’ll Want
This dish is straightforward to carry along with some primary components, however one factor you gained’t discover is cream of mushroom soup. It’s simply not essential to make this casserole tremendous creamy and tacky!
- Cauliflower: I exploit frozen cauliflower and simply prepare dinner it in accordance the package deal instructions; you possibly can additionally prepare dinner and drain recent cauliflower florets, for those who choose.
- Cream Cheese: Convey the cream cheese to room temperature earlier than you get began.
- Bouillon: My favourite model is Higher Than Bouillon, however you should utilize no matter hen bouillon you want, or go away it out and simply improve the salt and seasonings.
- Bitter Cream: This helps create the creamy cheese sauce. You may additionally use Greek Yogurt.
- Grated Cheese: Cheddar is my go-to, as a result of it has a robust, tacky style! Colby and monterey jack would even be good choices.
- Bacon: Chop up six slices of your favourite bacon, cooked.
- Butter: Unsalted or salted is ok. Chances are you’ll want to regulate the salt within the recipe relying on what you employ, however I’ve not discovered it to make a lot distinction general.
- Panko: These crispy breadcrumbs add loads of texture!
- Salt and Pepper
- Thyme: Dried is ok, or you may mince up some recent thyme leaves (no stems).
- Inexperienced Onions: Non-obligatory, for garnishing the casserole.
Easy methods to Make Cauliflower Casserole
There are just a few totally different parts right here, however general this recipe may be very easy to make. Simply prepare dinner the cauliflower, combine up the sauce, and toast the breadcrumbs. Then put all of it in your casserole dish and bake!
- Prep the Oven and Baking Dish. First issues first. You’ll wish to preheat your oven to 375°F, and coat a 2- quart baking dish with nonstick spray. Then set the baking dish apart for now.
- Prepare dinner the Cauliflower. Prepare dinner the cauliflower in response to the package deal instructions, and drain it properly. I like to depart mine in a colander over a bowl or a tray, to catch the juices. You may as well reduce recent cauliflower into florets, prepare dinner them till fork-tender in a saucepan of simmering water, and drain properly. It’s as much as you!
- Make the Cheese Sauce Combination. In a big bowl, stir collectively the cream cheese, bouillon (if utilizing), bitter cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and seasonings. Stir properly to completely incorporate all of the components.
- Assemble the Casserole. Add the drained cauliflower to the cream cheese combination, and stir gently to include. Scrape the combination into your greased baking dish and put aside when you make the breadcrumbs.
- Toast the Breadcrumbs and Prime the Casserole. Soften the butter in a medium skillet, and add within the panko breadcrumbs, stirring over medium warmth till toasted. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs on prime of the cauliflower.
- Bake. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 18 – 20 minutes or till bubbly. Let it stand for five minutes or so earlier than serving.
Suggestions and Variations
This simple casserole is bound to please! Listed here are a few of my favourite suggestions and tips for ensuring it seems excellent. Get pleasure from!
- Undercook the Cauliflower: For a extra crisp-tender chew to the completed dish, strive barely undercooking the cauliflower whenever you’re cooking and draining it. It can proceed to prepare dinner within the oven, but it surely is not going to come out as delicate.
- Keto-Pleasant: To scale back the carbs and make this gluten-free, use pork rind panko crumbs as a substitute of unique panko! Heck it is a tasty swap even for those who’re not in search of a keto pleasant vacation aspect.
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian model of the dish, omit the bacon and hen bouillon, and as a substitute, add a sprinkling of laborious cheese like Parmesan or Asiago for depth of taste.
Serving Strategies
What do you have to serve with cauliflower casserole? This creamy dish makes an excellent gentle important course or a comforting aspect dish with nearly any meat important course. Listed here are some nice recipes that go properly with cauliflower casserole:
- Baked Meatballs: Savory Baked Meatballs are excellent with this tacky dish! They’re loaded with onion and garlic, and full of protein.
- Rooster Strips: These Crispy Coconut Rooster Strips are a household favourite. Fried or baked, the shredded coconut turns golden-brown and crispy, a significant improve from bizarre breading!
- Pasta: For a mostly-vegetarian meal (or all vegetarian, for those who make the vegetarian model of this casserole), strive serving Cauliflower Casserole with Mushroom and Garlic Butter Pasta. It’s a simple, 30-minute meal full of mushrooms and tomatoes in a flavorful, simple sauce.
Easy methods to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers
- To refrigerate, simply cowl the casserole properly, or place leftovers in hermetic containers. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- To reheat, place the specified quantity in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F till heated via.
Can I Freeze Cauliflower Casserole?
Sure, you may! Simply place particular person parts in hermetic containers or freezer luggage, and freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating and serving.
Description
Tacky Cauliflower Casserole is a delicious “loaded baked” mix of crisp-tender cauliflower florets, cheddar cheese, bacon, and creamy sauce. Plus, it’s tremendous simple to make! Excellent for the vacations, or anytime!
- 48– ounces frozen cauliflower, cooked in accordance the package deal instructions and drained
- 1 (8- ounce) package deal cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 teaspoons hen bouillon (I just like the model Higher Than Bouillon)
- 1 cup bitter cream
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon floor black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- elective garnish – sliced inexperienced onions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 2- quart baking dish with nonstick spray. Put aside.
- Prepare dinner the cauliflower in response to the package deal instructions and drain properly.
- In a big bowl mix the cream cheese and bouillon. Stir to mix. Combine within the bitter cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and seasonings till included.
- Add the drained cauliflower into the cream cheese combination and stir to include. Switch the combination into the ready pan. Put aside.
- Place butter in a medium skillet. Soften the butter over medium warmth and add within the panko breadcrumbs. Stirring incessantly, prepare dinner the breadcrumbs till flippantly toasted.
- Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs on prime of the cauliflower.
- Bake uncovered for 18 – 20 minutes.
Notes
You may retailer this casserole within the fridge for as much as 5 days, or within the freezer for as much as 3 months.
Utilizing steam-in-bag microwavable cauliflower makes it even simpler!
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