This cauliflower casserole is cooked cauliflower florets tossed in a homemade cheese sauce, then mixed with bacon and green onions and baked to golden brown perfection. A hearty side dish that pairs well with chicken, pork and beef.
I’m always looking for new ways to dress up ordinary veggies. Some of my favorite options include sauteed brussels sprouts, honey roasted carrots and this loaded cauliflower casserole.
Cauliflower is one of my all time favorite vegetables. It’s inexpensive, available year round, packed with nutrition, and pairs will with so many different flavors. This cauliflower casserole has it all – tender vegetables, smoky bacon and plenty of cheese. It’s also a great option for the holidays when served with a spiral ham, Cajun turkey or honey glazed ham. If you’re making a holiday meal, don’t forget the pecan pie cheesecake for dessert!
Table of Contents
Cauliflower Casserole Ingredients
To make this delicious casserole you will need cooked cauliflower, butter, garlic, flour, milk, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, green onions, salt and black pepper.
How To Cook Cauliflower
You’ll need to cook your cauliflower for this casserole, and there are a few different techniques you can use. I typically just blanch my cauliflower, but any of these methods will work just fine. Keep in mind that the cauliflower will continue to cook as it bakes in the casserole, so be careful not to overcook it initially!
- Blanch: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4 minutes or until just tender. Drain the cauliflower and place it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat dry, then proceed with the casserole.
- Steam: Heat 1 inch of water to boiling salted water in a shallow pan. Add the cauliflower in a single layer. Cover the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes or until cauliflower is just tender. Remove the cauliflower from the pan.
- Roast: Heat your oven to 425 degrees F. Coat the cauliflower florets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the florets on a greased sheet pan in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.
How Do You Make Cauliflower Casserole?
First, make sure you have cooked cauliflower. Next, prepare a cheese sauce by mixing together butter and flour to make a roux. Add milk and whisk constantly until the sauce mixture thickens. Stir in shredded cheese, then toss the cooked cauliflower with the cheese sauce. Add some cooked bacon bits and green onions, then pour the cauliflower mixture into a prepared dish. Add a layer of shredded cheese, then bake until golden brown. The finishing touch is an additional sprinkle of bacon and green onions. All that’s left is to serve and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Casserole
- I recommend shredding your own cheese for this dish. The pre-shredded cheese in bags at the grocery store is often coated in preservatives and anti caking agents and does not melt smoothly.
- I have made this casserole with both fresh and frozen cauliflower, and either works just fine. If you’re using frozen cauliflower, be sure to thaw it and remove any excess water before proceeding with the recipe.
- This dish can be assembled up to 8 hours before you plan to bake it. Cover and store in the fridge until you’re ready to put it in the oven.
Quick Tip
Cook your cauliflower until it is just tender before starting this recipe. It will continue to cook in the baking dish.
Recipe FAQs
To prepare your cauliflower for cooking, wash the head of cauliflower and pat it dry. Remove any green leaves. Place the head on a cutting board stem side down and cut it into quarters. Cut each quarter to remove the stem and separate the florets. You may need to cut apart individual florets or break them apart by hand.
At the store, select cauliflower that is firm and white. You want to avoid dark spots or soft cauliflower.
Cauliflower casserole will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe is not a great candidate for the freezer, as the cheese sauce may separate and the cauliflower can become watery upon thawing.
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Flavor Variations
This dish is fabulous as-is, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize it to your tastes.
- Protein: Make this a main course by adding diced cooked chicken or sliced smoked sausage. You can also swap out the bacon for cubes of ham.
- Cheese: Use your favorite type of cheese for a cheesy cauliflower casserole! Some great options include Monterey Jack, Swiss, pepper jack, Colby or Mozzarella.
- Veggies: Instead of cauliflower, try broccoli or diced cooked potatoes. You can even do a combination of vegetables to add extra flavor.
- Toppings: Feel free to add more toppings such as buttered panko breadcrumbs or French fried onions.
- Creamy: Add 1/2 cup of sour cream or cream cheese when you stir in the cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
This cauliflower casserole is easy enough to put together on a busy weeknight, but is elegant enough to earn its place on a holiday meal table. You just can’t go wrong with this one!
More Great Side Dishes
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes
40 mins
Roasted Green Beans
30 mins
Creamed Corn Recipe
35 mins
Cauliflower Casserole Video
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Cauliflower Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 cups cauliflower florets cooked
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk I use whole milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided use
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced, plus more for garnish
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a large pan. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then bring the milk mixture to a simmer.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thickened. Stir in the parmesan cheese and 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese.
- Add the cauliflower to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Stir in the bacon and green onions.
- Pour the cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve, garnished with additional bacon and green onions as desired.
Notes
- I recommend shredding your own cheese for this dish. The pre-shredded cheese in bags at the grocery store is often coated in preservatives and anti caking agents and does not melt smoothly.
- Cook your cauliflower until it is just tender before starting this recipe. It will continue to cook in the baking dish.
- I have made this casserole with both fresh and frozen cauliflower, and either works just fine. If you’re using frozen cauliflower, be sure to thaw it and remove any excess water before proceeding with the recipe.
Fantastic recipe, the kids ate cauliflower and like it!
This is so delicious and tasty! My family loves this recipe! I can’t wait to make this again soon!
I LOVE this simple cauliflower casserole recipe as a side dish!
Fantastic recipe! I’ve been trying to get my kids to eat healthier and they had no idea this was made with cauliflower…LOL!
Such a delicious holiday side dish!
This was a huge hit at my house!! Everyone is now requesting it for dinner!!
Love how cheesy this cauliflower casserole is! A must try recipe!
Yummy! This is one of our favorite dishes! It’s so delicious and so good! Can’t wait to make this again!
Looks so colorful and tasty! I have also been looking for ways to fancy up my veggies, and I love this recipe
This cauliflower casserole is looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Cauliflower, cheese and bacon! I need to try this right away!