Loaded Cauliflower Recipe (With Bacon!)

Cauliflower isn’t a vegetable everyone in my family loves. The kids will eat it if it’s loaded with butter, but for some of them, it’s not on their favorites list. Unless of course I make this loaded cauliflower recipe with bacon!

Last night, everyone in my family ate this, including my child who isn’t a big cauliflower eater. When I first created this recipe it was the result of a pregnancy craving for cauliflower, bacon, and cheese, and it is GOOD! Loaded cauliflower is a yummy mix between a loaded baked potato and mac and cheese. It’s a delicious way to get more veggies in your diet!

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Beyond tasting good, cauliflower is also super healthy. It’s high in vitamin C, and also has a good amount of vitamin K, several B vitamins, and potassium. And it’s so versatile! Mash it to create “mashed potatoes” or make roasted cauliflower by drizzling it with olive oil and garlic powder. Or of course, cheese and bacon it up like in this recipe.

For another variation of loaded cauliflower, make it with broccoli or garlic roasted romanesco instead.

Ingredient Options

You really can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon. This recipe is fairly simple with cauliflower, cheese, bacon, and some chives for garnish. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s also gluten-free, low carb, and keto friendly. We eat it as a side dish, but you could add some shredded chicken or ground beef to make it a main dish.

Some cauliflower casserole recipes add greek yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese to the cauliflower. You could add some for an extra cheesy flavor if desired, but I prefer it without. And if you’re dairy free, then feel free to omit the shredded cheese. Mild or sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or mozzarella all work well in this.

I use a head of cauliflower in this recipe, but frozen florets also work. Cauliflower rice is much smaller and won’t yield the same texture as the florets.

Leftover Cauliflower Bake

If you happen to have some loaded cauliflower leftover you can easily reheat the dish. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add the cauliflower mixture to a baking dish and top with a little fresh cheese. Heat until warmed throughout. If you want to skip the oven, you can also reheat the mixture on the stovetop in a skillet.

Here are some more topping ideas for your loaded cauliflower:

• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Diced, cooked zucchini
• Sauteed onions
• Chopped peppers

Loaded Cauliflower With Bacon

A healthier alternative to loaded baked potatoes made with cauliflower for extra nutrition!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Calories 140kcal

Author Katie Wells

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Servings

6

1x2x3x

Equipment

• Oven-proof skillet or baking dish

Ingredients

• 5 slices bacon
• 1 head fresh cauliflower (or 1-2 bags frozen cauliflower, thawed)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup cheese (shredded)
• 2 stalks green onion (chopped)

Instructions

• In a large skillet, cook the bacon on the stove until crispy.
• While the bacon is cooking, cut the head of cauliflower into bite-size pieces.
• Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the drippings.
• Add the cauliflower florets to the pan, reducing the heat to medium-low.
• Cook, stirring occasionally until the cauliflower is tender.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Crumble the cooked bacon on top of the cauliflower, and sprinkle cheese on top of that.
• Leave on heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions and enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Loaded Cauliflower With Bacon

Amount Per Serving

Calories 140 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 22mg7%

Sodium 406mg18%

Potassium 342mg10%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 141IU3%

Vitamin C 47mg57%

Calcium 92mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

If you’ve used an oven-safe skillet you can put the pan under the broiler to melt the cheese. You can also transfer the loaded cauliflower casserole recipe to a casserole dish to broil. 

More Cauliflower Recipes

Serve these delicious recipes for family dinner or take them to your next potluck!

• Healthy Beef Stroganoff With Cauliflower
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower “Potatoes”
• Cauliflower Paella Recipe
• Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe (With Cauliflower “Rice”)
• Chicken Broccoli Casserole with Cauliflower

What’s your favorite use for cauliflower? Do you use it to substitute for any foods? Share your tips below!