Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole with pepper jack and parmesan cheese is a creamy, indulgent dish where tender cauliflower is baked in a rich, spicy cheese sauce. This easy recipe takes just 10-minutes to get ready then you pop it in the oven and relax.
Whether you are eating low carb, or just want something new, have I got a side dish for you! This Spicy Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole fits the bill with a rich, zippy sauce and crisp topping.
This vegetarian casserole a great way to use up that head of cauliflower that's been sitting in your fridge for too long. This delicious recipe uses simple ingredients so it's one of those casserole recipes that's perfect for a weeknight meal.
It's also a new family favorite at Thanksgiving dinner or your holiday table!
For a more classic option, Loaded Potato Casserole hits the spot. Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole gives you a one-pot meal for busy nights.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This casserole dish is low carb, whether you need that for your diet or just want to try something new. It's the perfect side dish!
- Tons of flavor in the combination of cheese here! The cheesy sauce has a rich flavor.
- It's fairly hands off! Just a few steps to get it in the oven while you relax or prepare the rest of the meal, which makes it great for weeknight dinners.
- This is an easy vegetarian dish! If you've never tried it, cauliflower can also be a fun meat substitute (not for protein, but to give you a filling meal) in Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos, another of my favorite cauliflower recipes.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cauliflower: One head of fresh cauliflower will do, just cut into cauliflower florets. I like to do a mixture of medium and small florets.
- Sour cream: Always full fat with your dairy! This gives you the best flavor and also helps create a filling dish.
- Cheese: White cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and Parmesan all bring strong flavor profiles that also play nicely together.
- Garlic & Onion: I love shallot here, as it won't overpower the other ingredients, and of course fresh garlic cloves for the minced garlic.
- Seasoning: Combining dried herbs with fresh thyme brings so much fall warmth to the table. I prefer a coarse ground black pepper and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. Use leftover fresh thyme in this pork sugo recipe!
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make this a full meal by adding in some chopped bacon or shredded or diced ham. If you are adding meat, use fully-cooked options and stir in before baking.
- Feel free to swap out the cheeses! I just love how this looks with all white cheese, but you can certainly try something new. Sharp cheddar cheese, Gouda cheese, or Romano would all be great options to swap in. Gruyere would work nicely and you can use the extra for this Poblano Mac And Cheese!
- I love to add a little cream cheese to get a really creamy cheese sauce that can be eaten as a side or used as a dip!
- Add crispy fried onions or seasoned panko bread crumbs to the top of the cheesy cauliflower casserole recipe for a little crunch!
- Use half fresh broccoli, half cauliflower for a cheesy broccoli cauliflower casserole or even use your leftover roasted cauliflower instead of boiling!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Step 1: Boil cauliflower and drain.
Step 2: Combine all ingredients except Parmesan.
Step 3: Spread in a prepared baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Bake until bubbly and golden then top with chives or green onions.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Always, and I mean it, grate your own cheese! This is the best way to secure a smooth, creamy sauce that is melted to perfection. I recommend this for Pumpkin Shells too.
- Grease the pan well. You don't want to leave any delicious sauce behind.
- Top with fresh herbs or chives after baking. This keeps them fresh and adds even more flavor.
- I always use fresh garlic in my recipes. The flavor is always best.
Recipe FAQs
Pop the cooled leftovers into an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The sauce might soak in a bit as it sits, so it won't feel as creamy. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove. Stirring to reheat will break up the cauliflower some and it will lose any "bite" it had, but it will still taste amazing!
I like a classic box grater for smaller amounts of cheese like this. If doing larger quantities, the shredding disc on a food processor is a great option. Use the large holes for cheddar and pepper jack, and then the smallest star-shaped ones for hard cheese like Parmesan. You can also use a Microplane zester for Parmesan to get a fine grate.
This is a perfect vegetarian dish, but it also makes a great side! Try serving with chicken or fish like Roasted Half Chicken. I also think ham and pork taste great as well.
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📖Recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9" skillet
- 1 medium pot
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 large shallot julienne
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt Diamond Crystal
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ teaspoon fresh thyme stemmed & chopped
- 1 small pinch nutmeg
- 4 oz white cheddar shredded
- 4 oz pepper jack shredded
- 2 oz parmesan fresh grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives thin cut for optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9" skillet or baking dish
- Boil a pot of salted water then add cauliflower florets. Allow to boil 5 minutes then drain well
- Mix drained cauliflower with shallot, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic, fresh thyme, nutmeg, cheddar and pepper jack cheese in a large mixing bowl
- Add cauliflower mixture to prepared skillet then top with grated parmesan cheese
- Bake 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Remove from oven, garnish with chives if desired and serve hot
Nancy
So cheesy and flavorful! Never had cheesy cauliflower like this before. Making this from now on!
Krista
My very favorite cauliflower recipe! So cheesy and flavorful.