Loaded Cauliflower Bake
User Reviews
5
Loaded Cauliflower Bake
Description
Loaded Cauliflower Bake is centered on small cauliflower florets lightly boiled to a tender-crisp texture. They are enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce prepared by melting butter with minced garlic, stirring in flour to thicken, then gradually adding milk and cream cheese to create a smooth base. Sharp cheddar cheese is folded into this sauce to deepen the flavor. The mixture is combined with most of the cooked bacon and green onions, then topped with the remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions before baking until melted and bubbly.
The casserole’s layers offer a mix of creamy, smoky, and fresh flavors along with textures ranging from the soft cauliflower and cheese sauce to crispy bacon pieces and golden melted cheese. The dish can accompany meat entrees or be served as a hearty vegetarian option if bacon is omitted. It’s baked in a 13x9-inch dish at moderate oven temperature to achieve a nicely browned cheese top without drying the cauliflower.
Ingredients
- 2 cauliflower cut into florets, small heads
- 2 tablespoons butter salted
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese divided, sharp, shredded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 6 lices Bacon cooked and crumbled, applewood smoked
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 13x9in. baking dish.
- Boil cauliflower florets in salted boiling water for about 3 minutes.
- Drain all water from the cauliflower and dump into prepared dish.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook garlic until fragrant (1 minute).
- Add flour and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add milk 1/2 cup at a time and bring to a simmer.
- Add cream cheese and whisk to combine.
- Remove from heat and add 1 cup of the sharp cheddar; stir until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower and stir to evenly coat.
- Set aside 1 tablespoon each of cooked bacon and green onions, then stir the rest into the cauliflower.
- Top with remaining cheese, bacon and green onions.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted completely.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 193 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 12 | |
| Calories | 193kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 239mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 388mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 350IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 47mg | 52% |
| Calcium | 176mg | 18% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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