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Home » Side Dishes » Cauliflower Casserole

September 23, 2020 By Sara 11 Comments

Cauliflower Casserole

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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.

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. 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 spoon serving up a portion of 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.

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.

Cooked cauliflower florets in a bowl.

How do you make cauliflower casserole?

Start by cooking your cauliflower so that it’s just tender. While the cauliflower is cooking, 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 bacon 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 garnish of bacon and green onions. All that’s left is to serve  and enjoy!

Cauliflower tossed with cheese sauce, bacon and green onions in a dish.

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.
  • 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.
  • I have made this casserole with both fresh and frozen casserole, 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.
  • Cauliflower casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator 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.

Cauliflower in a baking dish, topped with shredded cheese.

Cauliflower Casserole 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! 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.

Cauliflower casserole topped with melted cheese, bacon and green onions.

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

  • Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Loaded Corn Casserole
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Creamed Corn

Cauliflower Casserole

A spoon serving up a portion of cauliflower casserole.
Print Pin
5 from 10 votes

Cauliflower Casserole

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.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cauliflower casserole
Prep Time 20 minutes
40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Calories 336kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 508mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 368mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Side Dishes Tagged With: Cauliflower, Low Carb

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 9, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe, the kids ate cauliflower and like it!

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    October 21, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    5 stars
    This is so delicious and tasty! My family loves this recipe! I can’t wait to make this again soon!

    Reply
  3. Valentina says

    October 21, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE this simple cauliflower casserole recipe as a side dish!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    October 21, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! I’ve been trying to get my kids to eat healthier and they had no idea this was made with cauliflower…LOL!

    Reply
  5. Cathy says

    October 2, 2020 at 10:05 am

    Such a delicious holiday side dish!

    Reply
  6. Toni Dash says

    October 1, 2020 at 8:03 am

    5 stars
    This was a huge hit at my house!! Everyone is now requesting it for dinner!!

    Reply
  7. Catalina says

    October 1, 2020 at 6:45 am

    5 stars
    Love how cheesy this cauliflower casserole is! A must try recipe!

    Reply
  8. Beth says

    October 1, 2020 at 6:29 am

    5 stars
    Yummy! This is one of our favorite dishes! It’s so delicious and so good! Can’t wait to make this again!

    Reply
  9. Vikki says

    September 30, 2020 at 11:01 pm

    5 stars
    Looks so colorful and tasty! I have also been looking for ways to fancy up my veggies, and I love this recipe

    Reply
  10. Erisn says

    September 30, 2020 at 7:03 pm

    5 stars
    This cauliflower casserole is looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!

    Reply
  11. Amanda says

    September 30, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    Cauliflower, cheese and bacon! I need to try this right away!

    Reply

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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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