Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

---

An easy make-ahead dish goes with everything

This loaded cheesy cauliflower casserole can do double duty as a veggie and starch. The ingredients are simple, and there’s not too much prep time aside from making the cheese sauce. I have served it with grilled steak, chicken, and fish. Add a simple salad of heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers to round out the meal.

The recipe can be easily adapted to make it gluten-free. Substitute GF flour, and you are good to go. The Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower is also Keto friendly.

A look at the casserole right before it goes into the oven.

---

Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Yield: 8-10 servings as a side dish

INGREDIENTS

• 2 small heads cauliflower, cut into florets

• 2 tbsp. butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour

• 2 c. whole milk

• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened

• 2 c. shredded cheddar, divided

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/8 tea. cayenne pepper

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 1/4 c. sliced green onions

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch cauliflower, 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze cauliflower of water.

2. Make cheese sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute, then add flour and stir until golden, 2 minutes. Add milk and bring to a low simmer, then add cream cheese, whisking until combined. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup cheddar until melted, then season with salt and peppers.

3. In a 9”-x-13” dish, add drained cauliflower. Pour over cheese sauce and stir until combined. Stir in all but 1 tablespoon each cooked bacon and green onions until combined, then top with remaining cheddar, bacon, and green onions. 

4. Bake until cauliflower is tender and cheese is melty, 30 minutes.

Substitute gluten-free flour for regular flour for a gluten-free dish.

---

Photos by Delish.com and author’s own

Recipe adapted from Delish.com

---

Other posts from For the love of mary…