Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

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Dec 3, 2015 Jul 5, 2023

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Light and fluffyWhipped Cauliflower Casseroleis made extra creamy with goat cheese and thyme. It’s a rich but healthy vegetable side dish with a touch of elegance, meaning it’s the perfect low carb andgluten free casserole recipeto lighten up your holiday meals. But it’s easy enough to add to any weeknight dinner.

Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • An Easy Cauliflower Casserole with Goat Cheese
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make the Recipe
  • Storing Leftovers
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recommended Items
  • Get the Recipe

An Easy Cauliflower Casserole with Goat Cheese

I know mashed cauliflower has become a popular low carb substitute for mashed potatoes, particularly with the rise in people following keto diets. I’ll be honest, though, I’d rather not think of them as an alternative to taters. It’s really not the same.

But, that being said, I love cauliflower. And I might just love mashed cauliflower even more than mashed potatoes.

If you do it right, it is creamy and fluffy, and can be a blank slate for adding many different flavors. In this recipe, goat cheese adds that tangy flavor you’d expect, but it adds such a velvety texture too. And that little fresh, lemony note from the thyme is just perfect. It’s actually so simple you can make it any day of the week, but it really is worthy of a special meal.

Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (3)

Ingredients

Just a handful of simple ingredients come together to make this fluffy cauliflower casserole. Check out what you’ll need, but be sure to go to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full amounts and instructions.

  • Cauliflower. One head cut into large florets. It can just be roughly cut and you can keep most of the stem since you will stem and puree it.
  • Greek yogurt. Make sure it’s plain, but you can choose whether to use nonfat, low fat, or whole milk yogurt.
  • Egg. This helps make the casserole nice and fluffy, but not liquidy.
  • Goat cheese. One of those small 4-ounce logs is perfect.
  • Salt and pepper.
  • Thyme. Fresh is preferred, but dried will work in a pinch. You’ll only need about one-third of the amount.

How to Make the Recipe

It’s really simple. First, preheat your oven to 400°F, and lightly coat a 2-quart casserole dish with oil or cooking spray. Then let’s get started.

Steam the cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into large florets, discarding the tough stem, and steam over boiling water until very tender. Drain it thoroughly, and allow to cool slightly so that some of the excess moisture evaporates.

Puree until smooth. Place the cauliflower, Greek yogurt, egg, cheese, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend it until everything is well-combined and it is nice and smooth.

Bake the casserole. Transfer the cauliflower mixture into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. It should be hot all the way through and lightly browned on top. Garnish with more thyme if you like, and then serve.

Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (4)

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your leftover cauliflower casserole tightly with plastic wrap and you can refrigerate it for 2 to 3 days. It can then be unwrapped and reheated in the oven at 350°F right in the casserole dish. If you only have a small amount left, you can transfer it to an airtight storage container and microwave individual servings.

You can even make it in advance. Baked or unbaked the casserole can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days or frozen for up to two months if wrapped well.

If frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. For an unbaked casserole, you’ll want to take it out of the refrigerator while the oven preheats, and you will have to add another 10-15 minutes onto the baking time to get it hot in the middle. If you are reheating it, make sure you give it enough time to get steaming hot.

Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (5)

Serving Suggestions

You can easily whip up this cauliflower casserole with your favorite weeknight meals like Honey Balsamic Steak Bites or Baked Blackened Chicken Breasts.

But there is just something extra-special about this dish that makes it perfect to pair with a Sunday bottom round roast or rotisserie chicken (made easy in the air fryer). And it is especially wonderful with your favorite holiday main dishes like glazed ham or prime rib.

Let’s round it out with some favorite side dishes:

  • A roast beef supper is not complete without Gluten Free Yorkshire Pudding and Buttery Peas and Carrots.
  • Your low carb holiday meal will be perfect with Bacon Green Beans and Spinach Feta Pinwheels.
  • An elegant steak dinner goes nicely with Creamed Spinach and Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise.
  • A classic ham or turkey feast just calls for Scalloped Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole.
Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (6)

Recommended Items

A food processor will do the trick to make this fluffy whipped cauliflower. But for extra creamy results, I like to use my high-powered blender.

Brianne’s Favorite Blender

We we all know a high-powered blender like the Blendtec makes the most creamy smoothies, it can be used for so much more. Mix up muffin or waffle batter in a flash. Puree velvety smooth soups. And use it for whipped veggie dishes like this one.

I am a Blendtec ambassador, and should you make any purchases through my Blendtec Store link, I will receive a small commission, but that also means you can use the codeCUPCAKESANDKALECHIPSto receive 20% off.

Then make these cauliflower recipes

  • Bacon Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower
  • Horseradish Cheddar Whipped Cauliflower
  • Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower Gratin

    Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (7)

    4.9 from 11 votes

    Whipped Cauliflower Gratin with Goat Cheese and Thyme

    A light and healthy but still rich and creamy vegetable side dish. Gluten free and low carb too!

    Prep: 10 minutes mins

    Cook: 25 minutes mins

    Total: 35 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cauliflower
    • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 large egg
    • 4 oz. goat cheese
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme plus additional thyme leaves for sprinkling on top, if desired

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 400°F, and lightly coat a 2 quart casserole dish with oil or cooking spray.

    • Cut the cauliflower into large florets, discarding the tough stem, and steam over boiling water until very tender.

    • Drain thoroughly, and allow to cool slightly so that some of the excess moisture evaporates.

    • Place the cauliflower, Greek yogurt, egg, cheese, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor, and process until smooth.

    • Stir in thyme.

    • Transfer the cauliflower to the prepared dish.

    • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and browned on top. Sprinkle with additional fresh thyme leaves, if desired.

    Nutrition Facts

    Whipped Cauliflower Gratin with Goat Cheese and Thyme

    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

    Calories 93Calories from Fat 45

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 5g8%

    Saturated Fat 3g15%

    Trans Fat 0.003g

    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g

    Monounsaturated Fat 1g

    Cholesterol 40mg13%

    Sodium 502mg21%

    Potassium 306mg9%

    Carbohydrates 5g2%

    Fiber 2g8%

    Sugar 2g2%

    Protein 7g14%

    Vitamin A 262IU5%

    Vitamin C 47mg57%

    Calcium 65mg7%

    Iron 1mg6%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Side Dish

    Cuisine: American

    Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (8)

    Did you make this?

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    Categories:

    • Dinner
    • Gluten Free
    • Mains
    • Side Dishes
    • Veggies
    Goat Cheese Cauliflower Casserole - Creamy Vegetable Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the nutritional value of cauliflower casserole? ›

    All Recipes Loaded Cauliflower Casserole (1 serving) contains 9.8g total carbs, 9.8g net carbs, 15g fat, 8.2g protein, and 196 calories.

    Can you freeze homemade cauliflower cheese? ›

    Can I freeze Cauliflower Cheese? Yes you can!

    Is cauliflower cheese a main or side? ›

    Cauliflower Cheese is a British dish that is served as a side or even as a main (vegetarian!) It's a cauliflower bake, smothered in a creamy cheese sauce that's popped in the oven until bubbly and golden.

    What is the best way to cook cauliflower without losing nutrients? ›

    Steaming and microwaving cauliflower will better preserve its vitamin content, especially the B vitamins, than if it is boiled. To microwave: Put 2 cups of florets in a shallow microwavable dish, or cover a whole head of cauliflower with plastic wrap.

    What makes cauliflower so healthy? ›

    It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy. Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium. A one-cup serving contains only 25 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber.

    Is cauliflower healthier than bread? ›

    Cauliflower and broccoli are both low in calories, making them a perfect food choice if you're trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. A single slice of cauliflower bread or broccoli bread contains plenty of nutrients without the extra calories, which is much less than traditional bread.

    Why do you boil cauliflower before cooking? ›

    Boiling cauliflower makes for a quick side, but boiling it in chicken stock or other soup base is a great way to tenderize the vegetable while you're preparing it for a recipe.

    Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

    The separated florets have to be washed properly under a tap. This removes dirt and large parasites such as worms. The next step is cleaning the cauliflower in mildly warm water in which a little salt was dissolved. This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites.

    Should you rinse cauliflower before cooking? ›

    As per experts, the head of cauliflower is full of crevices that make it susceptible to collecting insects, bacteria, and dirt; hence, cleaning it before consumption is necessary.

    How long does cooked cauliflower cheese last in the fridge? ›

    While freezing cauliflower cheese is possible, be prepared for a very watery sauce when you re-heat. If you're feeding a crowd , you can store your cauliflower cheese for up to three days in the fridge, then when ready to bake just double that 20 minute cooking time to allow for the dish being chilled.

    What happens if you freeze cauliflower without blanching? ›

    We'd strongly recommend blanching cauliflower first, otherwise the high water content in the veg will turn it mushy if you freeze raw. To prevent deterioration of texture and nutritional value, it is best to partly cook (blanch) cauliflower florets before freezing. Wash the cauliflower and chop into equal size florets.

    How long does cauliflower last in fridge? ›

    Moisture can lead to discoloration or decay of the cauliflower. You should also skip washing your cauliflower before storing it, but you should wash it once you're ready to use it. When properly stored, cauliflower can last up to three to five days in the fridge.

    What protein pairs well with cauliflower? ›

    Protein and Other

    Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

    What pairs well with cauliflower steaks? ›

    Cauliflower Steak Serving Suggestions

    Wheat berries, farro, quinoa, or couscous would all work well here. A few roasted chickpeas would be a nice garnish too!

    Does cauliflower cheese go with roast dinner? ›

    Cauliflower cheese is the perfect side dish for any roast dinner! It's easy to make, and it's a great way to get your family to eat their vegetables. We will show you how to make cauliflower cheese step-by-step. Our homemade cheese sauce, made from scratch, really takes this classic vegetable side up a notch.

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