Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

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Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is like eating cauliflower mac and cheese, only instead of pasta as in the “mac,” it’s packed with only cauliflower!  Super easy and impossible to mess up.  This low-calorie, Keto-friendly, gluten-free casserole is creamy delicious, and it makes a wonderful side dish that’s loaded with nutrients! 

 

I mean, how many ways can we make cauliflower?

We buy cauliflower weekly.  So when it comes to dreaming up different ways to make it for my family, it’s not easy. 

Every so often I make my girl’s favorite cauliflower dish: my pasta with creamy cauliflower, and my luscious potato-cauliflower soup. 

But since my girls have been home for the past few weeks, they requested some low-carb, gluten-free dishes for dinner.

So when I was craving some comfort food, like mac and cheese (but I was voted out),  I decided to make this baked cheesy cauliflower casserole instead.

 

 

Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is so simple, super easy, and TOTALLY delicious! 

This cauliflower dish turned out better than I had expected and it serves four people. 

If you need more servings, you can easily double all the ingredients, and it’s worth it.  Leftovers turn out great too simply because it reheats beautifully.

 

For this recipe, you will need:

• one small head of cauliflower

• cheddar cheese

• some cream

• a few seasonings

• coarse ground Dijon mustard

• 9-inch round baking dish

 

How To Make Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole (full recipe card below).

This recipe couldn’t be easier! 

1.  First, cut up the cauliflower, cutting the florets, and discard the cord.  Then give it a good rinse.  Next, in a medium-size pot, toss in the florets and pour water up to one inch. 

2.  Cover with a lid, and bring to a boil.  Then lower the heat and simmer the cauliflower for one to two minutes.  Turn off heat.  Drain water and return back to the stove, cover with a lid, and allow the florets to steam for 2 to 4 minutes, until fork-tender.   

3.  Transfer cauliflower to a baking dish.

4.  In the meantime, make the cheese sauce.  In a small saucepan, pour in the cream, then add in the mustard, seasonings, and cheddar cheese.  Simmer until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. 

 

5.  Pour the cheese sauce directly over the cauliflower.   Then bake in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the cheese sauce is bubbling and cauliflower is golden on top.  If you prefer, you can broil in the oven for a few minutes to brown the top.

 

Cook’s Notes and Tips!   

• You can adapt this recipe and use a blend of shredded cheeses to your liking.

• Can we use frozen cauliflower florets?  I haven’t yet but I’m sure it’s fine.  

• You may add additional seasonings to your liking, try a splash of smoked paprika.  

• If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use 1 cup of milk or almond milk, and whisk in 2 teaspoons of flour (or GF flour), and simmer until the sauce thickens.  Then add in the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese completely melts.

• Don’t forget to scoop up some of that delicious cheese sauce on the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle it over each serving.  It’s the best! 

 

FOR INSTANT POT…

To make in the instant pot, you will need to rinse, cord, cut the cauliflower. 

• Add cauliflower with 2 to 4 tablespoons of water.

• Then cook on the “Manual” setting for 5 minutes. 

• Stir in remaining ingredients.   Leave on “keep warm” for about 10 minutes. 

• Stir and repeat until melted, creamy, and heated through. 

• If you prefer, you can transfer everything to a baking dish and broil it for a few minutes to brown the top. 

Your family will love this baked cheesy cauliflower casserole as much as we do!  

It is comforting and makes a wonderful side dish for dinner, or you can eat it alone.   A great way to get your family to eat more healthy veggies like cauliflower. 

Best of all, it’s high in protein and only 198 calories per serving!  

Try this recipe, and maybe you’ll want to add this baked cheesy cauliflower casserole to your rotation! 

ENJOY!!

 

 

…Thanks for Pinning!

Looking for more ways to cook cauliflower?  Try these… 

• Roasted Cauliflower Au Gratin

• Potato Cauliflower Soup

• Italian Cauliflower Salad

• Cauliflower Wings with Buffalo Sauce

• Cauliflower Kale Soup with Crunchy Kale

• Mashed Cauli-Potatoes

• Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Wine & Cheese

• Mashed Cauliflower

 

 

Yield: 4 servings

Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

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Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is like eating cauliflower mac and cheese, only instead of pasta as in the "mac," it's packed with only cauliflower! This low-carb, Keto-friendly, gluten-free casserole is creamy delicious, and it makes a wonderful side dish that's loaded with nutrients!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 small head of cauliflower (about 5 cups), cut into small florets
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp. coarse ground Dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. onion powder
• dash of cayenne pepper
• 1 cup shredded Mild Cheddar cheese, plus extra
• salt and black pepper to taste
• olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180C). Lightly spray with cooking spray the 9-inch round baking pie dish.
2. In a medium pot, add about one-inch of water, and about 1 teaspoon of salt and bring water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cover with a lid.
3. Boil the cauliflower for about 1 to 2 minutes. Then turn off the heat, and drain only the water from the pot. Then return the pot to the stove and cover to steam the cauliflower until the florets are tender and softened for about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Remove and drain any remaining water again.
5. Transfer the cooked cauliflower to the baking dish. Set it aside.

MAKE THE CHEESE SAUCE:

1. Meantime, in a small saucepan, and on medium heat, pour in the heavy cream and warm the cream. Then add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
2. Toss in the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture comes to a low boil. Turn off the heat. Season with salt, pepper to taste.
3. Next, pour the melted cheese mixture directly over the cauliflower that is in the baking dish. Optional: Here is where you can sprinkle with extra shredded cheese on top if you prefer.
4. BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes, until it's bubbly in the dish and golden on top. Optional: You can broil in oven for about 2 minutes to brown the top if desired.
5. Remove and serve.
6. Serves 4

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4 servings

Serving Size:

1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9.4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 216mgCarbohydrates: 4.5gFiber: 1.7gSugar: 1.8gProtein: 8.7g

 

If you make our baked cheesy cauliflower casserole, let us know and leave a comment with a star rating!  We’d love to hear from you.  Sharing your insights and experiences helps everyone who reads them, and helps us too! 

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  

HAPPY Baking! 🙂

xo Anna and Liz