The Best Cauliflower Casserole

This easy low carb cauliflower casserole is so cheesy and full of ooey-gooey goodness! This is home-cooked comfort food at its best!

I’m super excited to be sharing this delicious cauliflower casserole recipe with you today! It tastes indulgent, yet is still loaded with tons of the veggies our bodies crave. As we head into the coldest months of the year, I hope this will be in your steady dinner rotation at your house.

This vegetarian dish also makes a great keto cauliflower casserole for those on the keto or low carb diet. It’s hard not to love easy recipes with simple ingredients that are as delicious as this cauliflower dish. Not only are they good for you, they are also comforting and packed with flavor the whole family can enjoy.

What Does This Cheesy Casserole Taste Like?

On its own, cauliflower is quite mild in terms of flavor. It has a slight nuttiness – and is sometimes reminiscent of the flavor of cabbage. However, one of the best parts of using a vegetable like cauliflower is that it absorbs the flavors of the other casserole ingredients. 

Leeks deliver some of the flavors you might get from onions – but aren’t quite as strong. And that garden freshness is boosted by the smokiness from using bacon flavored bits (which are actually vegan… more on that in a sec).

The umami and earthy essence of miso paste brings it all together – making a vegetable and cheese casserole recipe that has all the savory flavors of the best home-cooking.

And from a texture perspective, the creaminess of the cheese sauce is countered by the faint crunch from the leeks and the fork tender bite of the cauliflower. 

Ingredients For Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

• Fresh cauliflower: Look for fresh cauliflower that has dense, tightly packed florets. The florets shouldn’t feel bendy or soft. Now, if you find that your cauliflower has a couple of faint brown spots on the exterior of the head, don’t worry! That browning is typically caused by oxidation. Just cut those spots out prior to cooking.
• Leeks: We’re just using the white parts of this allium. The green bits (especially the dark green nearest the far tips) are much too tough and won’t cook well.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use some of the good stuff 🙂 You’ll be using this to cook your leeks until they are tender.
• Cream cheese, sour cream and miso Paste: This combination will form our creamy and savory cheese sauce. Use white or mixed (awase) miso paste for the most balanced flavor. Grab miso paste at your local Asian grocery store – or pick it up on Amazon.
• Garlic Powder: Sweeter and less assertive than fresh garlic, this powder made from dehydrated and ground garlic-cloves is perfect for this flavorful recipe.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: This will form the top layer of our cheesy cauliflower casserole. Once baked in the oven, it will be creamy, bubbly perfection!
• Scallions: These green onions are a superb topping because of their garden freshness and crunchy texture.
• Vegan Bacon Bits: Crunchy, savory and oh, so smoky! Most mass produced bacon flavored bits are made from either soy flour or textured vegetable protein. And they work so well to deliver a cured, salty crunch in this recipe. These are the bacon flavored bits I used (Amazon).

Ingredient Variations

I would recommend trying this recipe as originally intended. However, next time you give it a try, consider using black pepper if desired—just to give it a little kick of spice. You can also use onion powder and/or kosher salt but it’s entirely optional. Using freshly grated parmesan cheese with or instead of the medium or sharp cheddar cheese is also an option. Topping this casserole with fresh chopped parsley adds color and an refreshing element.

How To Make Cauliflower Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 375 ºF.
2. Lightly grease a 1.5 quart baking dish with cooking spray – or brush on a bit of olive oil.
3. Fill a pot with water and 2 teaspoons of salt, and bring it to boil. Add your cauliflower florets and boil for 5 minutes – until they are soft but still yielding a crunch. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
4. Meanwhile, add olive oil and leeks to a pan over medium heat and cook until leeks are tender. Once cooked, add them to the mixing bowl with the cauliflower. 
5. In a separate bowl, whisk cream cheese, sour cream and miso paste until smooth. Stir in garlic powder and season well with salt and pepper. 
6. Pour the creamy mixture over the cauliflower and leeks. Mix with a spatula until the vegetables are evenly coated. 
7. Spread the cauliflower mixture into the casserole dish and top with cheddar cheese. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender and the cheese is melted.
8. Take the casserole out of the oven and top with scallions and bacon bits. Serve.

This simple cauliflower casserole is ready in about 35 minutes from start to finish. And while it might be easy to make, it will wow your family and friends with a ton of flavor!

Can Cauliflower Be Frozen (And Does It Freeze Well?)

Good news! Yes, you can freeze cauliflower. It’s actually a great way to ensure you don’t waste what you don’t use right away.

1. Start by blanching the cauliflower florets to preserve their nutrients. Just like other vegetables, cauliflower will lose its nutritional value if it’s frozen raw.
2. Once blanched, drain the florets and pat them dry.
3. Transfer the cauliflower to a cooking tray and place it in the freezer until the florets are solid.
4. Place the florets in a storage bag or airtight container, seal, and freeze for up to 6 months.

Make Ahead Storage Tips

This is one of the best cauliflower recipes to make ahead of time! For leftovers, or if you plan to eat it later, transfer the casserole to an airtight container so it stays fresh as long as possible. It can last up to 4 days in the fridge given it’s stored properly.

What To Serve With Cauliflower Casserole

This cauliflower, cheese and leek casserole makes the perfect holiday dinner – whether you’re in need of a Thanksgiving casserole or a last minute Christmas dinner idea. Therefore, you could totally serve it alongside this slow cooker green bean casserole, this homemade easy vegan stuffing – or this lightened up corn casserole and be in great shape during the holidays!

But the great thing about casseroles in general is that they’re fantastic to make anytime you’re craving a bit of easy home cooking to scratch your comfort food itch. Check out these delicious and simple recipes that pair super well with this cauliflower recipe: 

• The Best Tuna Salad Sandwich
• Baked Breaded Tofu Chicken (Vegan)
• Salmon Croquettes With Sriracha Dipping Sauce
• Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
• Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Did you like this cauliflower casserole recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!

Print