Cauliflower Cheese Bake
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This tasty little side dish is packed full of cheesy goodness and healthy veg. And, while the low carb cauliflower cheese bake won’t replace your beloved Mac & Cheese, it’s just as good in it’s own right.
The low carb cauliflower cheese bake recipe is the perfect side for low carb dinners, holidays and weeknights.
Serve with cauliflower or switch it out for broccoli to keep things interesting.
🥘Ingredients:
- 16 oz cauliflower cut into florets – frozen is fine
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
This ingredient thickens the cheese sauce. You can sub in something different if you like but I don’t know how thick the sauce will be.
- ⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk or more heavy cream
I only do this because too much heavy cream doesn’t agree with everyone. Feel free to use all heavy whipping cream if you like it.
- 2 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
Cream cheese melts faster if you cut it into cubes first.
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh chopped
This ingredient is ALWAYS “to taste”. It’s low carb and super healthy. Check out the benefits here…
- ½ tsp garlic powder
I use powdered garlic over fresh because of convenience and the fact that it doesn’t burn as easily. Use caution if you are using fresh garlic.
- ¼ tsp paprika or to taste
I love the smoky flavor of paprika in small doses as well as the rich color. Use in small amounts if you are not familiar with this spice.
- ¼ pepper to taste
It’s a good practice to use less pepper in dishes while cooking so that everyone can add as much as they like at the table.
Unless you are just making this dish for yourself. In that case, load it up however you like.
- ½ tsp chicken bouillon or ¼ tsp salt
I use a lot of dried bouillon in my recipes because it adds another layer of flavor to so many dishes. Prepared stock won’t work here because your cheese bake will end up watery.
If you can’t find a good deal on bouillon in your area, this is the kind that has been a staple in my pantry for years.
- 1 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided in half
You’ll use half in the sauce and half on top of the dish when you bake it.
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
If you are going to swap out this ingredient, try to use another “white” cheese to balance out the flavors.
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan – Shredded
This is the “magic” ingredient that gives this cheese sauce a layer of pungent flavor. It will make you happy you decided to make cauliflower, even if it isn’t your favorite veg. 😎
Optional Topping
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated or shredded
The dry kind in the can is good for the topping if you have it. It makes a kind of crunchy top.
- 2 slices bacon * optional diced and cooked crispy
Because, why not?
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Just dot it over the top for buttery deliciousness.
- salt & pepper to taste – taste before baking
Taste everything you make for spices before baking.
👩🏿🍳How to make the Cauliflower Cheese Bake:
- Preheat oven to 375˚F. Butter a 9×13 baking dish or 6 individual ramekins and set aside.
2. Steam cauliflower florets in the microwave for 4 minutes or on the stove for 7 minutes and drain to dry.
3. Add cream, cream cheese and all spices to a small sauce pan and set to medium heat. Whisk until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.
4. Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ¼ shredded Parmesan and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese; gently stir until cheeses have completely melted.
5. Add the cauliflower florets into the pot, and using a large wooden spoon, gently mix around until everything is covered in cheese sauce.
6. Transfer cauliflower mixture to previously prepared baking dish or ramekins; sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar, along with the Parmesan and melted butter if desired. (added in nutrition).
7. Bake, uncovered, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and slightly golden.
8. Remove Cauliflower casserole from oven. Garnish with prepared bacon and additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve
📋Tips & FAQ’s:
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, but wait to garnish it before serving.
Just reheat in the microwave when it’s time to serve. It keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Can I freeze the Low carb cauliflower cheese bake?
Nope. It’s too quick and easy…plus, it’ll get weird and watery if you do.
What is this low carb side dish good with?
So glad you asked lol…😎
- Buffalo Wings
- Burgers – Here’s an easy burger bun to get you started
- As a Holiday Side
- Cinnamon Pork Chops
- With Chicken Fried Steak & Country Gravy
- Easy Lamb Chops & Wine Reduction
- Crock Pot Philly Cheese Steak
- Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken
- Coconut Shrimp
- Slow Cooked Mediterranean Lamb
I think that’s it for the Low Carb Cauliflower Cheese Bake!
It’s pretty easy and super customizable…
Leave a comment, suggestion or sonnet below.
Until next week…stay cool Keto Cats!
Brandy
Low Carb Cauliflower Cheese Bake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz cauliflower cut into florets – frozen is fine
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk or more heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika or to taste
- ¼ pepper to taste
- ½ tsp chicken bouillon or ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided in half
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
- salt & pepper to taste TASTE IT before baking.
Optional Topping
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 slices bacon * optional diced and cooked crispy
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F. Butter a 9×13 baking dish or 6 individual ramekins and set aside.
- Steam cauliflower florets in the microwave for 4 minutes or on the stove for 7 minutes and drain to dry.
- Add cream, cream cheese and all spices to a small sauce pan and set to medium heat. Whisk until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ¼ shredded Parmesan and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese; gently stir until cheeses have completely melted.
- Add the cauliflower florets into the pot, and using a large wooden spoon, gently mix around until everything is covered in cheese sauce.
- Transfer cauliflower mixture to previously prepared baking dish or ramekins; sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar, along with the Parmesan and melted butter if desired. (added in nutrition).
- Bake, uncovered, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove Cauliflower casserole from oven. Garnish with prepared bacon and additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve
Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information for the Low Carb Cauliflower Cheese Bake is provided as a courtesy.
We are pretty careful about our figures but if you ever feel like anything is off please feel free to do your own calculations.
