Description
A creamy, cheesy cauliflower casserole that feels like comfort food while being a smart choice for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main ingredients
- 1 large head Fresh cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Optional but highly recommended)
- 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup Heavy cream or milk (As needed for creaminess)
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar, divided
- 1/3 cup Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- a pinch Smoked paprika (Optional)
- ~3/4 cup Crushed buttery crackers or panko for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375 F and lightly butter a casserole dish.
- Steam the cauliflower until just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well and let it sit to release steam.
Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan on low heat, melt butter and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in cream cheese until smooth, then mix in sour cream and a splash of cream or milk.
- Add 1 1/2 cups cheddar and the parmesan. Stir until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
Assembly
- Fold the cauliflower into the cheese sauce and pour into your prepared dish.
- Top with the remaining cheddar.
- Mix crackers or panko with a tiny bit of melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
Baking
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes for extra color.
Notes
Drain the cauliflower well to avoid a watery casserole. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time but wait to add the topping until just before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
