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Creamy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe with Bacon and Cheese Made Easy

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A comforting and creamy cauliflower casserole loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
  2. Trim and cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets. Steam or boil in salted water until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Chop bacon into bite-size pieces. Fry in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Reserve a tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan if desired.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
  5. Slowly add heavy cream while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook and stir until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  6. Stir in cream cheese until smooth, then fold in shredded cheddar, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is velvety.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, gently fold steamed cauliflower and crispy bacon into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  8. Pour mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. For an extra crispy top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle fresh chives over the top before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash of milk or cream to loosen. Drain cauliflower well to avoid watery casserole. Crisp bacon well and drain excess fat. Steaming cauliflower helps it hold shape better than boiling. Watch casserole near end of baking to avoid drying out. Broil briefly for extra crispy top if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: cauliflower casserole, bacon casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, loaded cauliflower, creamy casserole

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