Fully Loaded Smashed Cauliflower
Servings 8 servings
Calories 432kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lb cauliflower florets steamed [See Cook's notes]
- 1 8 oz container chive and onion cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 Tbsp butter melted
- 1 0.4 oz package dry buttermilk ranch dressing mix
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6-8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 4 medium green onions thinly sliced
- 2 1/2 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese divided
- 1/3 cup crushed garlic-pepper french fried onions optional [i.e. Fresh Gourmet]
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. Steam the cauliflower for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain well.
- Place into a large bowl. Use a fork or a potato masher to smash the steamed cauliflower leaving chunky.
- To the bowl add the chive and onion cream cheese, sour cream, melted butter, ranch seasoning, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, bacon crumbles, green onions, and 1 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Stir until fully combined. (Reserve 3 Tbsp bacon crumbles and green onions for the top.)
- Pour the cauliflower mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle the top with 1 cup of shredded Colby-Jack cheese and a few bacon crumbles. Top with french fried onions, if using.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish with reserved sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh Cauliflower: Two pounds of cauliflower florets would be approximately equal to 2 medium heads of cauliflower, stems removed. You could use steamed frozen cauliflower.
- Cheese: You can use mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, swiss cheese or monterey jack cheese.
- Sour Cream: You could swap out the sour cream and use plain Greek yogurt for added protein.
- Spice: If you'd like to add a little heat, use pepper jack cheese and add one 4 ounce can of diced green chiles to the cauliflower mixture.
- Alternate Topping: I like to sprinkle the top of this cauliflower casserole with crushed fried onions for added texture. If you want to keep this dish as low carb or keto as possible, you can use crushed chicharrones, instead.
- Salt: The ranch seasoning mix and Parmesan cheese add ample salt to the dish overall. Taste the filling and adjust the salt to your personal taste.
- Lower Fat Substitutions: This dish works well with low fat dairy products. Low fat cream cheese, light butter and sour cream.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 253mg | Potassium: 409mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 351IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg