Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
This easy and delicious loaded cauliflower casserole recipe is the perfect side dish to bring your family together during dinner time, especially during the holiday season.
Its crunchy, creamy texture and irresistible flavors, combining cauliflower florets, broccoli, cheese, and crispy bacon, are sure to impress even your picky eaters.
Cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Recipe
- Loaded with Flavor: The cheesy cauliflower casserole is a comfort food that’s hard to resist.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use fresh cauliflower or cauliflower rice for different textures. You can also add some rotisserie chicken or ground turkey and make it a main dish.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a busy weeknight or a last-minute holiday dinner.
Ingredients for Cauliflower Casserole
- Cauliflower and Broccoli: These two veggies give the casserole a hearty base for the casserole. The tender cauliflower and broccoli also add a slightly crunchy texture to it. You can use cauliflower rice or frozen cauliflower. You can use other vegetables instead, like zucchini, carrots, or asparagus.
- Colby Jack Cheese: Colby Jack cheese adds a rich, creamy, and savory flavor to this casserole. For this cheesy cauliflower casserole, you can use other types of cheese like mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey jack, or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream brings creaminess, tanginess, and a slightly acidic flavor to the casserole. It also helps bind the ingredients together. Greek yogurt, heavy cream, cream cheese, or cottage cheese can be used instead.
- Ranch Seasoning: Ranch seasoning is a flavorful blend of herbs and spices. It adds a ranch-like taste to the dish. If you don’t have ranch seasoning, you can make your own by mixing dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley together. You can use your favorite seasoning as well.
- Bacon Bits: Bacon bits provide a salty, smoky, and crispy flavor and texture to this recipe. You can make crispy bacon and crumble it for this recipe. If you’re out of bacon bits, you can use crispy fried shallots, toasted breadcrumbs, or crushed nuts.
- Green Onions: Green onions, which are mild in flavor and color, are also used to garnish the recipe. You can substitute them with chives or regular diced onions.
- Salt and Pepper: These are used to season and bring out the flavors of all the ingredients. Be sure to taste and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
A full printable recipe with measurements and instructions is listed at the bottom of the post on the recipe card.
Equipment Needed for the Cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
- Large Pot
- Greased 8×8 Inch Casserole Dish
- Large Bowl for Mixing
- Whisk, Cutting Board, and Knife
- Aluminum Foil for Storage
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by gathering your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease an 8×8-inch casserole dish with olive oil.
Blanch the Veggies: In a large pot, blanch cauliflower and broccoli until fork-tender.
Create the Cheesy Mixture: In a large bowl, add the cooked cauliflower and broccoli with sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon bits, green onions, and cheese.
Assemble: Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake to Perfection: Bake until cheese turns golden brown. Let it sit for five minutes before serving.
FAQ’s
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower and Broccoli Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can totally use frozen cauliflower and broccoli. Just be sure to thaw and drain them before using them in the recipe.
How Do I Blanch Vegetables Properly?
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the vegetables, and cook them for 4-5 minutes or until they are slightly tender. Then, drain and proceed with the recipe.
Can I Use Low-Fat or Greek Yogurt Instead of Sour Cream?
Yes, you can use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter version of the casserole.
Can I Make This Casserole in Advance and Reheat It?
Yes, you can make this casserole in advance and reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until it’s heated through.
What Size Baking Dish Should I Use If I Don’t Have an 8×8-inch Dish?
You can use a dish of similar size, like a 9×13, as long as it can hold the ingredients.
Can I Use Turkey Bacon Instead of Regular Bacon Bits?
Yes, turkey bacon is a wonderful, leaner alternative to regular bacon bits.
Can I Add to This Loaded Cauliflower Bake?
Yes, you can add rotisserie chicken or substitute the head of cauliflower and broccoli with other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to this casserole.
How Do I Store Leftovers, and How Long Will They Keep?
First, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I Make This Casserole Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make it gluten-free by making sure that the ranch seasoning and bacon bits you use are gluten-free.
What Other Recipes Should I Serve With This Casserole?
This delicious recipe can be served as a side dish or a main course. I like to serve it along with a salad, grilled chicken, or as part of a holiday meal.
Here are a few more ideas:
- Easy garlic butter chicken from Life, Love, Good Food.
- Loaded baked potato casserole
- Green beans
- Oven-roasted turkey breast
- Meatloaf with Jiffy
Why Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole?
- Great Way to Feed Veggies: Perfect for the whole family, especially for those on a low-carb diet or following keto diet plans.
- Quick and Convenient: Ideal for a busy weeknight, with only about 45 minutes from prep to table.
- Customizable: Add rotisserie chicken, parmesan cheese, or almond milk for different versions.
Serving Suggestions
- As a Side: It complements grilled chicken or a cauliflower pizza crust for a hearty meal.
- As a Main: Serve with a side salad or shredded chicken for a fulfilling dinner.
Loaded cauliflower casserole is a dish that will become one of your favorite recipes, perfect for any occasion, from a simple family dinner to a festive holiday meal.
Enjoy and savor every bite of this creamy cauliflower casserole!
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower florets cut into bite-sized florets (about 16 ounces)
- 8 ounces broccoli cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces bacon bits
- 1/3 cup green onions chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and then grease an 8×8 inch casserole dish with olive oil.
- Fill a pot with water, and over medium heat, bring to a boil. Add in your fresh cauliflower, and broccoli, and blanch for 2-3 minutes until they become fork-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, add the blanched cauliflower and broccoli.
- Next, add the sour cream, bacon bits, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, green onions, and one cup of cheese.
- Stir the cheesy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In your baking dish, add the creamy sauce and top it with the remaining cheese.
- Bake the casserole in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish this delicious side dish with extra green onions and serve it alongside your main dish.
