Description
Creamy loaded cauliflower casserole delivers comfort food magic from Southern kitchens. Cheese, bacon, and green onions create a delightful low-carb side dish you’ll crave at family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower, chopped into florets
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for a rich and creamy cauliflower transformation.
- Render cauliflower florets tender through steaming or boiling for 8-10 minutes, ensuring thorough draining to prevent excess moisture.
- Craft a velvety sauce by whisking together sour cream, cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the cooked cauliflower into the creamy mixture, ensuring each floret is luxuriously coated.
- Introduce shredded cheddar cheese and half the crispy bacon pieces, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the casserole base.
- Migrate the decadent mixture into a prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Crown the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese and bacon bits, creating an enticing golden topping.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns bubbly and achieves a gorgeous golden-brown hue.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions across the top, adding a bright, fresh finish before serving.
Notes
- Optimize cauliflower texture by ensuring thorough draining to prevent watery casserole and maintain a creamy consistency.
- Select full-fat dairy products for richer flavor and better binding of ingredients in the casserole.
- Create a low-carb version by replacing regular bacon with turkey bacon and using full-fat cream cheese alternatives.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing bacon and chopping green onions in advance, reducing overall cooking time and kitchen cleanup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 289 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg