Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe  (2024)

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4.55 from 11 votes

by SkinnyMs.

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Published: November 29, 2023

Everyone loves a cheesy side that happens to be healthy and delicious!

Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe (2)

If I could eat a loaded baked potato every day, I totally would. There’s something so fulfilling about a fluffy potato stuffed with cheese and bacon (and it probably doesn’t hurt that it’s topped with even more cheese). While a lot of the ingredients I use to stuff loaded potatoes are Keto-friendly, the potatoes themselves definitely aren’t. They might be a vegetable, but boy, do they ever contain a lot of carbohydrates! So, I turn to my trusty swap-in when it comes to creating healthier versions of my favorite comfort classics: cauliflower. This loaded cauliflower bake healthy dinner recipe will definitely satisfy your cravings for comfort food without packing on the calories.

In addition to being low in carbohydrates, cauliflower is just all-around good for you. It’s full of antioxidants to help fight off cancer-causing free radicals, it has a ton of vitamin C and K, and it’s chock-full of fiber to keep you feeling full for hours. Using cauliflower in this recipe isn’t just about amping up the nutrition or tasting great, either. The best thing about this recipe is that it only takes 30 minutes to pull it all together, and the prep is super simple. That’s awesome for busy weeknights when it seems impossible to put a healthy dinner on the table.

One Dish, Two Different Results

Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe (3)

I love creating recipes that can easily be turned into two different meals. This Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe is no different! You can make this recipe one of two ways. The recipe below tells you how to do it the first way (which happens to be the easier way). But I’ll also explain how you can take this recipe and turn it into your new favorite mashed cauliflower dish.

Our recipe steps below tell you how to do it the easiest way. You’ll cut the cauliflower into small florets and bake them until they’re tender-crisp before loading ’em up with the toppings. This doesn’t exactly give you the illusion of potatoes because the florets will hold their shape and form. But you’ll get a ton of chewy texture and delicious flavor! Because this method also happens to be a one-pot meal, it makes cleanup that much easier. Since I’m all about a quick-and-easy meal, this method is my recommendation for weeknight dinners.

How To Turn This Dish Into Loaded Mashed Cauliflower

Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe (4)

For those of you who are really, really craving some mashed potatoes, there’s a second option. But I’ll warn you: It requires the use of extra pots and pans, so cleanup will take longer. Instead of following the first few steps of the recipe, steam your cauliflower florets first. You can do this in the microwave by adding a few tablespoons of water to a microwave-safe bowl. Nuke it for 5-8 minutes, depending on your microwave. Or, you can steam the florets the old-fashioned way on the stovetop.

Once your cauliflower is completely tender, add it to the food processor and pulse it until it’s super fluffy. Then, proceed to step 4 by combining the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and cheddar cheese mixture (saving the chopped bacon until later). Add that mixture to the cauliflower and pulse until the mixture resembles mashed potatoes. Fold in the bacon and proceed with the remaining steps. Congratulations, you just made a Keto-friendly mashed potato substitute!

However you choose to make it, this Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is absolutely delicious. It makes a great stand-alone meal for lunch or dinner, or you can use it as a vegetable side. The whole family will love it, and it might turn into that Thanksgiving side dish that everyone begs you to make every year!

Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe

4.55 from 11 votes

Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Hearty and healthy, this side dish is a delicious addition to dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Yield 8 people

Serving Size 1 cup

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Author SkinnyMs.

Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe (5)

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Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 pound cauliflower head large, cut into small florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
  • 2 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1 green onion chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

  • Place the cauliflower florets in an 8×8 baking dish. Add the olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Toss to coat.

  • Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes, until tender-crisp.

  • Meanwhile, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, half the cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon.

  • When the cauliflower is done roasting, add it to the yogurt mixture and toss to coat.

  • Return the cauliflower to the baking dish and top it with the remaining cheese.

  • Bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  • Top with the green onions before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 230mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 4

Keywords Budget-Friendly, Keto, Kid-Friendly, Low-Carb

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Have you made this loaded cauliflower bake healthy recipe? Let us know in the comments!

Enjoyed this post? Read more:

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  • Warm Cauliflower Salad
  • Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
  • How To Rice Cauliflower

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Loaded Cauliflower Bake Healthy Dinner Recipe  (2024)

FAQs

Does cauliflower have more carbs than potatoes? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

Why is cauliflower crust so high in carbs? ›

A single slice could have anywhere from 2 to 29 grams. That's a huge range, especially because cauliflower isn't carb-heavy (a cup has 5 grams). Why the difference? Crusts may include rice or brown rice flour, sugar, tapioca starch, and corn starch, which supply carbs.

Can you eat cauliflower cheese as a main meal? ›

Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish. It can be eaten as a main course, for lunch or dinner, or as a side dish. Cauliflower cheese consists of pieces of cauliflower lightly boiled and covered with a milk-based cheese sauce, for which a mature cheese (such as cheddar) tends to be preferred.

What protein pairs well with cauliflower? ›

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream. Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell.

What does broccoli and cauliflower do? ›

Both cauliflower and broccoli are high in fiber, which will keep you full for a longer time. Try adding these veggies to your meals to help with weight loss. Broccoli is also a wonderful vegetable for heart health. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risks of blood clots and plaque build-up.

How to eat cauliflower to lose weight? ›

If you are a big fan of rice bowls, swap the rice base with healthy cauliflower rice. Using cauliflower rice, which is rich in fibre, will benefit weight loss. Moreover, the cauliflower will give you additional nutrients, making your meal healthier without sacrificing the flavour and taste.

What part of cauliflower is not edible? ›

Every part of a cauliflower is edible, even the tough outer skin. However, we do recommend peeling this part before cooking as it's a bit tough to chew.

How many times a week should you eat cauliflower? ›

Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy cauliflower and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week, and increase your serving size to 2 cups.

Is cauliflower loaded with carbs? ›

Cauliflower has a mild taste and is often used as a substitute for higher carb foods like potato and rice. One cup (107 g) of raw cauliflower contains 5 g of carbs, 2g of which are fiber.

How many net carbs are in 2 cups of cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower, raw (1 cup) contains 5.3g total carbs, 3.1g net carbs, 0.3g fat, 2.1g protein, and 27 calories.

Does cauliflower pasta have a lot of carbs? ›

How many carbs are in your Cauliflower Pasta? Our Cauliflower Pasta has 45g of net carbs per serving. When comparing gram for gram, our CAULIPOWER pastas have 18% less carbs and 19% less net carbs than other pastas!

How many net carbs in 1 cup of cooked cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, 1 cup (1" pieces)
Protein (g)1.14
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)2.55
Energy (kcal)14.26
Sugars, total (g)0.87
Fiber, total dietary (g)1.67
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