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Loaded Cauliflower Recipe (With Bacon!)

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Loaded_Cauliflower
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » 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

Loaded Cauliflower With Bacon

A healthier alternative to loaded baked potatoes made with cauliflower for extra nutrition!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Calories 140kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

6

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. 

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More Cauliflower Recipes

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

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

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

14 responses to “Loaded Cauliflower Recipe (With Bacon!)”

  1. Dawna Avatar

    4 stars
    If you put it under the broiler you will get even more flavor from the cheese being cooked till golden brown .

  2. Barb Early Avatar
    Barb Early

    Love your ideas!
    So inspiring,can’t wait to try this I think my husband might even like it.
    He truly hates cauliflower,but loves bacon!

    Thank you

  3. Dee Smith Avatar
    Dee Smith

    Lots of great ideas, thank you. I love all the things you can do with cauliflower and with courgettes too.

  4. Lori Oliver Nettles Avatar
    Lori Oliver Nettles

    I made this last night and my family really liked it (which is surprising, because I’m usually the only one eating cauliflower). I did add some sour cream and heavy cream to the recipe to make a creamy sauce, which I really liked. Next time I might try adding some Dijon mustard and some horseradish into the sauce to spice it up a bit. Thank you for the inspiration!

  5. Laura Avatar

    Roasted cauliflower is also a great recipe.  Cut into bite sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil season with sea salt or seasoned salt and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Bake at 400degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.

  6. Traci Avatar

    Delicious!!  I added too much butter but otherwise…perfect!  My family will now eat cauliflower!

  7. Rachael Avatar
    Rachael

    We do the mashed/creamed potato alternative version, and it’s also great “twice baked”, with more goodies melted/sprinkled on top and an egg thrown in as a binder.  Gives it a nice little au gratin character.  Love your site!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I’m going to try your version next time. I love the idea of adding
      the egg… seems like it would help with texture, and give some added
      protein!

  8. Sarah Avatar

     I like pureed cauliflower with garlic, salt, pepper, butter & sour cream. Tastes just like mashed potatoes! Even my boyfriend (a meat ‘n potatoes guy) loves it. 

  9. Staci phelps Avatar
    Staci phelps

    This looks awesome!  I am new to your site but can see that I will be “sucked in” for many hours to come!  What is the best way to print this recipe?  Thanks so much for all the great info here!  I am also relatively new to Paleo and IF, but enjoying both immensely. 

  10. Jamie Avatar

    I’m new here as well but I made the chocolate coconut clusters and I’m now a lifetime fan here. Delish!  Next up: loaded cauliflower.  If you feel a surge in followers, it’s cause I have a really big mouth! Love your site!!!

  11. Tanya Cawley Avatar
    Tanya Cawley

     Hi wellness MamaThanks for your Cauliflower Recipe, I’m going to try that tonight, another alternative is mashing the Cauliflower up like Mashed Spuds, my kids can never spot the difference.

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