Keto Cheesy Cauliflower Bake is one of our favourite side dishes. In this recipe, Cauliflower is cooked in Butter with Garlic, Cayenne and Smoked Paprika. It is then coated in Double Cream and topped with Cheese before being roasted in the oven. This is a Keto version of Cauliflower Cheese and therefore doesn't inlcude Bechemel Sauce but it is equally as creamy and delicious!
This comfort food recipe is one that the whole family (even the picky eaters) now enjoys on a regular basis. Not only is it the perfect side, it is also the best way to use up Cauliflower.
Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
Cauliflower Cheese is the side that everyone loves. Not even just as a side. As the main. It’s that good. All that cheesy goodness makes for a really delicious recipe and you don't have to be on a low carb diet to enjoy it!
I make this recipe quite a lot now for a quick family dinner side on busy weeknights.
It all started when my brother was on a Keto diet (low-carb diet) and was desperate for a meat free meal.I made 2 lots of this cheesy Cauliflower casserole and went down the next morning to find that the whole lot had gone. I was so taken aback because he isnt't a lover of veggies and especially not Cauliflower!
This version of Cauliflower Cheese is different in that the Cauliflower is sliced finely and cooked before adding it to the casserole. Traditionally the Cauliflower is broken off into florets and then baked or boiled) and par cooked/boiled first.
The other main difference is that instead of a Bechemel Sauce, we just add Cream.
Par cooking the cauliflower on the hob first before baking enhances the flavour and makes it so much more delicious then using steamed or boiled cauliflower.
Ingredients in Keto Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Oil
Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil.
Butter
For a rich flavour.
Garlic Powder
Or granules. You could use 1 teaspoon of Garlic paste instead.
Smoked Paprika
This is an optional add in but it adds a smoky flavour which works perfectly with the sharp Cheese.
Cayenne Pepper
A little goes a long way. It adds a slight kick.
Fresh Cauliflower Florets
From a head of Cauliflower. I slice these to make smaller pieces.
Double Cream/Heavy Cream
For a rich creamy sauce.
Cheese
Cheddar (normal or a sharp Cheddar Cheese like Mature Cheddar). I also add a little Parmesan for a strong Cheesy flavour.
How to make it
The full recipe with ingredient measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page:
Add Oil and Butter to a pan over medium heat.
Stir in Cauliflower.
Add Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne, Salt and Pepper. Stir in and saute for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in Double Cream. Mix through and remove from heat.
Add roasted Cauliflower to a casserole dish.
Stir the creamy cheese sauce.
Top with Cheese and bake till golden brown. You can either do this under the grill or in the Oven at 200 C/Gas Mark 6/180 C Fan/390 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
Tips to make the best Cauliflower Cheese
Cauliflower
Slice the cauliflower and then roast in a large saucepan very quickly with butter, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. This will take a couple of minutes at most.
Cheese
As there are few ingredients, use a strong Cheese for the best flavour. I use Mature Cheddar and Parmesan.
Water
There should be no water left in the pan once the Cauliflower has sauteed. Any excess water should be steamed away ideally before removing the pan from the heat.
Variations
Other Veg
This recipe also works with Broccoli.
Spices
Add Onion Powder/ This adds a really lovely flavour ito this low carb side dish.
Add a touch of Cumin Powder for a sweet warm flavour.
Mustard
You can add a teaspoon of mustard into the cream before baking for some richness and warmth.
Herbs
You can add Herbs such as Dry Parsley if you prefer.
Cream
You can half the Cream and replace with Milk instead. You can also use Sour Cream or Cream Cheese instead.
Spring Onions
Add some finely sliced Spring Onions/Green Onions and mix through the cream sauce in the baking dish before baking.
What to serve with Cauliflower Cheese
Lamb
Cheesy Cauliflower Bake makes a great side to a Sunday Roast and is perfect as a side forSlow Cooked Leg of Lamb or Slow Cooked Shoulder of Lamb.
This cheesy loaded cauliflower casserole is also great with:
Chicken
Serve as a side to Rotisserie Chicken or a whole Chicken, Buttermilk Roast Chicken.
Sides
Serve as part of a main meal alongside other side dishes such as Mashed Potato, Roasted Veggies such as Roast Vegetables with Feta and Pine Nuts, Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
Fish
Salmon and Vegetable Traybake with Coconut Rice or Baked Tandoori Salmon.
Make Ahead
Assemble the recipe a day ahead and then bake as per instructions below. (Keep in the fridge overnight).
How to store and reheat Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
Fridge
Leftovers keep well, covered in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge making it ideal for meal prep.
Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot all the way through.
Freeze
This low-carb side dish freezes well in an airtight container for 3 - 4 months.
FAQS
What Cheese is best for Cheesy Keto Cauliflower Bake?
I love strong cheese in this recipe or a mixture of a few cheeses. My recommendations are Manchego, Red Leicester, Mature cheddar, Gruyère and Parmesan.
more easy cauliflower recipes:
Roast Cauliflower Salad with Zingy dressing
did you make this recipe? i'd love to hear about it! did you try any variations? if you loved this recipe/tried any variations/have some top tips, please comment below. please leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. you can also follow us on instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes.
Keto Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 1 Cauliflower sliced into ½ cm florets
- 1½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Granules
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Salt and Pepper
- 225 g Double Cream
- 75 g Mature Cheddar Grated
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan Grated, Optional
Instructions
- Add oil and butter to a pan over medium low heat. Once bubbling, add the Cauliflower and stir.
- Add Smoked Paprika, Garlic Granules, Cayenne Pepper, Salt and Pepper and mix through. Saute for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Pour in double cream, mix through and remove from the heat.
- Remove to a casserole dish.
- Top with cheese and bake under the grill until golden brown. This will take around 5 - 7 minutes. Or add to a preheated oven at200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Roast for 10 - 15 minutes, or until tender and starting to brown.
Notes
Tips to make the best Cauliflower Cheese
Cauliflower Slice the cauliflower and then roast in a large saucepan very quickly with butter, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. This will take a couple of minutes at most. Cheese As there are few ingredients, use a strong Cheese for the best flavour. I use Mature Cheddar and Parmesan. Water There should be no water left in the pan once the Cauliflower has sauteed. Any excess water should be steamed away ideally before removing the pan from the heat.Variations
Other Veg This recipe also works with Broccoli. Spices Add Onion Powder/ This adds a really lovely flavour ito this low carb side dish. Add a touch of Cumin Powder for a sweet warm flavour. Mustard You can add a teaspoon of mustard into the cream before baking for some richness and warmth. Herbs You can add Herbs such as Dry Parsley if you prefer. Cream You can half the Cream and replace with Milk instead. You can also use Sour Cream or Cream Cheese instead. Spring Onions Add some finely sliced Spring Onions/Green Onions and mix through the cream sauce in the baking dish before baking.What to serve with Cauliflower Cheese
Lamb Cheesy Cauliflower Bake makes a great side to a Sunday Roast and is perfect as a side forSlow Cooked Leg of Lamb or Slow Cooked Shoulder of Lamb.This cheesy loaded cauliflower casserole is also great with: Chicken Serve as a side to Rotisserie Chicken or a whole Chicken, Buttermilk Roast Chicken. Sides Serve as part of a main meal alongside other side dishes such as Mashed Potato, Roasted Veggies such as Roast Vegetables with Feta and Pine Nuts, Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Fish Salmon and Vegetable Traybake with Coconut Rice or Baked Tandoori Salmon.
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