This amazing Cheesy Cauliflower Au Gratin is a delicious keto-friendly and low-carb side dish with all the comfort food flavors from your favorite scalloped potato recipe. Fork-tender cauliflower is baked in a delicious cheese sauce, then topped with crispy bacon; this is the ultimate low-carb weeknight side dish!
If you're looking for more low-carb cauliflower recipes that the whole family will love, try this Twice-Bake Loaded Cauliflower recipe! It's one of our favorites!
CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN IS A GREAT VEGGIE RECIPE FOR KIDS WHO REFUSES TO EAT THEIR VEGETABLES
Tired of the nightly dinner struggles with your fussy eaters? This cheesy casserole is a great way to make vegetables taste good for picky eaters. The mild flavor of cauliflower is baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce that tastes more like mac and cheese than a vegetable casserole.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR PICKY EATERS
Try adding rotisserie chicken, ham, or extra bacon for a one-pot dinner for toddlers and kids.
LOW-CARB INGREDIENTS
- Cauliflower - 2 heads of fresh cauliflower. I do not recommend using frozen for this recipe.
- Milk & Heavy Cream - I use a ratio of half milk, half heavy cream for this recipe, but feel free to use all half and half, or you could use all milk or lower-fat milk. Just be sure to keep the ratio of liquids to butter and flour the same.
- Bacon - The crispy bacon is absolutely delicious on top of the cauliflower casserole but can be omitted if desired.
- Flour - All-purpose flour is what I use for this recipe, but you could substitute gluten-free flour if needed.
- Butter
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic Powder
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN
KETO CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN INSTRUCTIONS
Wash your cauliflower, remove any green leaves, and cut halfway down the middle from top to stem.
Slice your cauliflower into ⅓-¼ inch slices and place in a 9/13 greased baking dish
Make the base of the cheese sauce by cooking butter and flour, then add your milk, heavy cream, and spices until thickened.
Stir in grated cheddar cheese until all cheese is melted and your cheese sauce is creamy and smooth.
Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower slices.
Bake covered with aluminum foil for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 15 minutes.
Cook bacon until crispy.
Remove cheesy baked cauliflower from the oven and top with crispy bacon bits.
Enjoy
SUBSTITUTIONS
Milk & Heavy Cream - Feel free to use all half and a half, or you could use all milk or lower-fat milk. Just be sure to keep the ratio of liquids to butter and flour the same.
Flour - Substitute gluten-free flour if needed.
OPTIONAL ADD-INS
Here are a few ideas for some delicious add-ins!
- Bacon
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Ham
- Green Peas
HOW TO STORE AFTER BAKING
Scalloped cauliflower, cauliflower au gratin, and most other cauliflower casseroles are best eaten right after cooking but can be stored in the refrigerator (after cooling) in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
CAN I FREEZE CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE?
Your dish will still taste amazing if you choose to make ahead and freeze. Be aware that the dairy products may not be as creamy, and the cauliflower could lose its firmness.
To defrost and bake, simply put the casserole in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and bake as directed below.
CAN I USE CAULIFLOWER RICE INSTEAD OF FLORETS?
Riced cauliflower is delicious in this recipe. The recipe will have more of a smooth, creamy casserole consistency instead of a chunky scalloped texture. Both fresh cauliflower slices and riced cauliflower are equally delicious in this recipe.
RICED CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE BAKING INSTRUCTIONS
Grease a 9x13 casserole dish
Combine riced cauliflower and half of the cheese sauce.
Pour cauliflower and cheese sauce into your prepared baking dish
Spoon more cheese sauce over the top of the cauliflower, if desired
Bake for 20 minutes covered, then an additional 10 minutes uncovered.
Top with crispy bacon.
HOW TO PREVENT A WATERY CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN
USE FRESH CAULIFLOWER
If you want to avoid a watery cauliflower casserole, using fresh cauliflower is the way to go!. Unfortunately, cauliflower has a lot of water in it. Frozen cauliflower loses its texture when baked, becoming more watery and mushy.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERBAKE
Overcooking your cauliflower can also cause a watery casserole. Baking times will vary in this recipe depending upon how large or small you’ve cut your cauliflower.
The longer your cauliflower bakes, the more it breaks down, releasing its water. So, if your cheese sauce was thick when you started and watery by the end of baking, it’s most likely due to overbaking.
To prevent a watery scalloped cauliflower, use fresh cauliflower (not frozen) and remove your casserole from the oven once your cauliflower is fork-tender.
CAN I SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER LOW-CARB, KETO-FRIENDLY VEGETABLE FOR CAULIFLOWER?
Absolutely! One reason I love this dish is it’s easily customizable! Brussels Sprouts are delish in this scalloped recipe.
Here's another great keto-friendly low-carb Brussels Sprouts recipe you're going to love!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SCALLOPED VS. AU GRATIN
While Scalloped and Au Gratin dishes are very similar, the biggest difference is the cheese. Scalloped potatoes and cauliflower consist of thinly sliced vegetables layered in a casserole dish and baked with seasoned heavy cream or milk (or a combination of the two). Au Gratin dishes have the addition of cheese and sometimes topped with breadcrumbs.
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📖 Recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Au Gratin with Bacon (keto, low-carb)
Ingredients
- 2 heads cauliflower
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese freshy shredded is best
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt more to taste if needed
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slices bacon cooked, crispy and chopped into bits.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wash your cauliflower, remove any green leaves, and cut halfway down the middle from top to stem.
- Slice your cauliflower into ⅓-¼ inch slices and place in a 9/13 greased baking dish2 heads cauliflower
- Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower slices and bake covered with aluminum foil for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Once cauliflower is fork-tender and cheese sauce has slightly browned on top you can remove the casserole from the oven
- Top with crispy bacon and serve.4 slices bacon
Cheese Sauce Instructions
- Melt butter in a large sauce pan, then add flour. Cook butter and flour mixture over medium meat for about 2 minutes.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour
- Pour heavy cream, milk, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder into your sauce pan with the butter and flour.1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Cook cream sauce over medium low heat until thickened creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat and add your shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Notes
HOW TO STORE AFTER BAKING
Scalloped cauliflower, cauliflower au gratin, and most other cauliflower casseroles are best eaten right after cooking but can be stored in the refrigerator (after cooling) in an airtight container for up to 5 days.OPTIONAL ADD-INS
Here are a few ideas for some delicious add-ins! Bacon Rotisserie Chicken Ham Green PeasBE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-BAKE
Overcooking your cauliflower can also cause a watery casserole. Baking times will vary in this recipe depending upon how large or small you’ve cut your cauliflower. The longer your cauliflower bakes, the more it breaks down, releasing its water. So, if your cheese sauce was thick when you started and watery by the end of baking, it’s most likely due to over-baking. To prevent a watery scalloped cauliflower, use fresh cauliflower (not frozen) and remove your casserole from the oven once your cauliflower is fork-tender.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
The nutritional information provided here is approximate and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. We strive to give you accurate information, but many factors can cause this data to vary widely. For more information, please read our full Nutritional Disclaimer.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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Mindee Taylor says
I'm always on the look out for delicious keto recipes! This one was so good! It reheats as leftovers really well too!
Jessica says
So happy to hear you loved it! Thanks, Mindee!!
Kristen says
This was incredible! Served it with steak and a salad and it was the perfect side.
Jessica says
So happy you loved the recipe!
Gina says
Talk about decadent! Who knew cauliflower could be so delicious!?
Jessica says
Thanks, Gina!
Aimee Mars says
This is the perfect substitution for potatoes and it looks incredible! That bacon on top is what makes this dish absolutely irresistible. I'm going to make this next week.
Jessica says
It's so good! Happy you loved it as much as we do!
Carrie Robinson says
You had me at bacon! Looks like the perfect side dish to me. 🙂
Jessica says
Ha! I feel the same way! Thanks for the kind words!