Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole with Sour Cream

Looking for a dish that’s both cheesy and veggie? Look no further than this cheesy cauliflower casserole! This dish is like a warm hug in a baking dish, with ooey-gooey cheese and tender cauliflower florets. And don’t worry, it’s not just delicious – it’s also packed with nutrients.

This cheesy cauliflower casserole recipe is one of the easiest vegetable casseroles. Measure out your ingredients and stir them together – that’s just about all you have to do to serve up cauliflower that even your kids will like. 

While I love roasted cauliflower, cauliflower with raisins and cauliflower with pasta, kids can be a little finicky when it comes to this vegetable. So coating it in a cheesy sour cream sauce may convince them to give it a try.

It’s simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner side, but yummy and impressive enough to place on your Thanksgiving dinner table or take to a potluck. Serve alongside garlic chicken or baked pork chops it goes with almost any meat dish. It pairs well with other sides like baked sweet potatoes, new potatoes, or colorful veggies like green beans or roasted carrots.

Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower in a Cheesy Cauliflower Bake?

Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower in this recipe. If you choose to do so, skip the boiling step. Remove it from the freezer and lay it on paper towel. As it thaws, dry as much water away as possible. Then, simply add the cauliflower directly to the casserole dish.

I prefer to use fresh cauliflower. Cauliflower gets watery fairly easily, especially the frozen version. Your casserole will likely bake up much better if you use fresh.

What Can I Serve with Cauliflower Casserole?

• Grilled chicken, steak or pork. Any protein can be served, but chicken and steak seem to taste exceptionally delicious with the white cheddar and smoked paprika.
• Rice or couscous. These both pair nicely with cauliflower.
• Bright vegetables. Because this cauliflower casserole is white-toned, adding color with other veggies or a salad can make the meal look more visually appealing.
• Corn on the cob. The sweet flavor of the corn pairs very nicely with the tangy flavors of the cheesy cauliflower bake.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• This side dish is so easy to make. Just dump everything in a casserole dish, stir, and bake.
• The smoky flavor of the paprika provides a unique flavor
• It’s a low-carb side dish for those on a keto or low-carb diet
• Cauliflower is full of nutrients, fiber and anti-oxidants

How Do I Choose Cauliflower From the Produce Section?

If cauliflower is in season, I recommend heading to your local farmer’s market or vegetable stand to buy the freshest head. Fresh cauliflower will have the best flavor, and will make a big difference in the quality and taste of your dish. 

There are some things you can look for when you buy cauliflower, no matter where you’re shopping. Use these tips to make sure you’re buying a good head of cauliflower:

• Your cauliflower should be white in color. There shouldn’t be visible marks or blemishes.
• Cauliflower should smell mild and earthy. If it has a very strong smell, it may be an indicator that it’s gone bad.
• The florets should be tightly packed without gaps between them.
• The leaves around the bottom of the stem should not be yellow, brown, or wilted.
• There should be no insect damage, such as black spots or small hones in the florets.
• It should feel heavier than expected when you pick it up. This indicates that it hasn’t gotten dried out.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Ingredients

• Cauliflower – Look for white cauliflower with no discoloration, no damage, and no wilted leaves. Cauliflower has a long growing season from spring through the fall, so it’s pretty easy to find.
  
• Sour Cream – This will provide a tangy and unique flavor. I like full-fat but you can use a light version if you prefer. I don’t recommend fat-free. You can substitute Greek yogurt.
  
• White Cheddar – White cheddar has a sharp and unique flavor that complements the earthy flavor of the cauliflower. You can use a sharp cheddar instead.
  
• Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika has a much more complex flavor than regular paprika, but regular paprika can be substituted, or you can omit it altogether.
  
• Fresh Thyme – If you need, you can replace the fresh herbs with ½ tsp dried thyme.
  
• Red Pepper Flakes – This can be omitted, but it provides just a touch of spice and helps to bring out the tanginess of the white cheddar.
  

How To Make a Cauliflower Bake

Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower.

Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. You can include some of the stems, too, if you like them. Add the cauliflower to boiling water and cook for about 4 minutes. You want the cauliflower to be just slightly softened, not fully cooked. Drain.

Step 2: Make the cheesy filling.

Stir together the sour cream, paprika, thyme, salt, red pepper flakes, and ½ of the cheese. Add the cauliflower and stir it all together.

Pour it into a casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Step 3: Bake.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Tips for Making Perfect Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

• Cut the cauliflower into pieces large enough that they won’t overcook in the oven. Try to make them uniform in size.
• Stir your casserole ingredients together gently so the cauliflower pieces don’t break.
• Grate a block of cheese yourself. It will melt much more evenly and have a stringier texture than a pre-shredded bag of cheese.

Storing a Casserole With Cauliflower

Cauliflower casserole leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure you place it in an airtight container. 

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, you can freeze this casserole. Let the casserole cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. 

How to reheat cauliflower casserole

If your casserole is frozen, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, bake it in the oven at 350º until heated through, about 15 minutes. Keep it covered so the top doesn’t get overbaked.

What Can I Add to a Sour Cream Cauliflower Bake?

There are two ways I like to dress up this easy cauliflower casserole. The first is to make a loaded cauliflower bake. You can add thinly sliced green onions, cooked and crumbled bacon, and sharp cheddar to the top of your bake. This gives it a ‘loaded baked potato’ flavor.

The second is to add a breadcrumb topping. In a small bowl, mix ⅓ cup of panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp melted butter and mix together until the crumbs are wet. Stir in a bit of freshly grated parmesan if you want. Sprinkle the mixture over the top instead of cheese and bake as directed. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil to allow the bread crumbs to get crispy and golden.

Cauliflower Casserole FAQs

Why did my casserole get watery?

Your casserole might have gotten watery if you cooked your cauliflower too long. Cauliflower’s texture comes from water in the stems and flowers. When the cauliflower is overcooked, it releases water. Make sure you only par-boil your cauliflower so it doesn’t get overcooked in the oven.

Can I add sausage to this recipe?

Yes, you can add meat to this recipe. Make sure the meat you add is fully cooked, and cut it up into small pieces. Add the cooked meat to the sour cream mixture and bake as instructed.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can make cauliflower casserole ahead of time. Make the recipe and cover it with cheese, as instructed. However, instead of baking it, cover it with foil and plastic wrap and set it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. It should last in the fridge for up to 2 days.

More Delicious Casserole Recipes to Love

Adapted from Food & Wine

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