A vegetable casserole so good, you’ll want to eat it alone.

Like potatoes, cauliflower has a mild flavor that can be easily upgraded with the addition of some cheese.

Meet our loaded cauliflower casserole.

loaded cauliflower casserole in a baking dish and bowls

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This side is essentially a veggie-forward version of aloaded baked potato, incasserole form.

According to our Test Kitchen, this is not necessarily a “light” recipe.

Add shreddedrotisserie chickento the mix for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

ingredients for loaded cauliflower casserole

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2(1 1/2-lb.)

headscauliflower, trimmed and cut into bite-size florets

1(8-oz.)

packagecream cheese, softened

1(8-oz.)

loaded cauliflower casserole

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Add cauliflower florets, and cover.

Bring to a boil over medium-high.

baking dish coated with cooking spray

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Reduce heat to medium, and steam until cauliflower is very tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes.

Fold in warm cauliflower.

cooked cauliflower in stockpot

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Add casserole to baking dish:

Spoon into prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle with remaining bacon, Cheddar, and pepper Jack.

Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon chives.

cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Frequently Asked Questions

Frozen cauliflower often contains more liquid as it defrosts than fresh cauliflower.

Fresh is best in this case, but if using frozen, thaw and pat dry before using.

loaded cauliflower mixture in a bowl

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

stir cauliflower into cream cheese mixture

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

loaded cauliflower casserole in baking dish

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

loaded cauliflower casserole with cheese and bacon

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

baked loaded cauliflower casserole

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

loaded cauliflower casserole with chives and bacon on top

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer