For those of you watching your carb intake, cauliflower can be used as a decent substitute for potatoes in some dishes. I say ‘decent’ because I don’t really like cauliflower but have been successful (and sometimes not so successful) in using it in the place of potatoes for a low carb side dish and my favorite way to eat it….as pizza crust!
For Thanksgiving, I knew my low-carbing, diabetic husband would have a lack of options for sides, since he would not be eating the awesome stuffing, or the potatoes. (I think we had rice too!) So I made this cauliflower casserole and included lots of cheese-y goodness, and bacon. Because we know bacon makes everything mo’betta.
Did it taste like a loaded baked potato? No. It tasted like cooked cauliflower with cheese and bacon. However, it wasn’t bad for us non-cauliflower people and it was down right tasty to those who like it (aka my mom. The only one out of the 10 of us.) But, it gave my husband a low carb option, so my job was done.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, boiled until soft*
- 6 ounces Colby & Monterey Cheese Blend
- 4 ounces Gouda (plus extra for topping)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 5 Tablespoons (or approx 1 1/2 ounces) chopped bacon (I used Oscar Mayer Selects Real Bacon Bits, no nitrates/ites added) Plus extra for topping, if desired.
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoons onion or garlic powder
- salt & pepper, to taste
- *I boiled my cauliflower in chicken broth for extra flavor
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add cooked, drained cauliflower to large bowl. Mash with a potato masher until desired consistency is achieved (I left small chunks.)
- Add remaining ingredients to the bowl, except for cheese and bacon that you will be topping the casserole with. Stir to combine. Add salt & pepper if desired.
- Place in a greased casserole dish (8 x 8, 9 x 9 or 2 quart), top with additional cheese and bacon. (I think French Fried Onions would be a good addition to.)
- Cover with foil and bake approximately 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake and additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
This. This is how you do Thanksgiving. And this (in conjunction with cookies, fudge and egg nog) is why I need to be at the gym right now.
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MMMmmm… I love cauliflower. <3
I’ve been adding a lot more cauliflower dishes to our diet, and my husband has not been to big of a fan. But, I bet if I make yours, full of cheesy goodness, I think he will be completely on board!
By the way… New follower to your blog. Bloglovin’ suggested I check you out 🙂
When you make healthy things unhealthy they taste a lot better! Lol Glad to have you!
Looks very yummy! Will have to try this for my diabetic husband too!
I love cauliflower so this is my kind of casserole, it looks so cheesy and delicious! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!