Christmas Cauliflower Casserole: A Festive and Flavorful Side Dish
As the festive season approaches, it's time to start thinking about delicious and comforting dishes to share with loved ones. Our Christmas Cauliflower Casserole is a delightful side dish that combines the goodness of cauliflower with a creamy, cheesy sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. This delectable casserole is not only a perfect addition to your holiday table but also a healthier alternative to traditional starchy casseroles.
In this article, we present two variations of our Christmas Cauliflower Casserole: a classic version and a vegan version. Both recipes are easy to follow and require readily available ingredients. The classic recipe features a rich and creamy sauce made with butter, flour, milk, and plenty of cheese. The vegan version offers a dairy-free alternative, using plant-based milk and vegan cheese, while still delivering a satisfying and flavorful casserole.
Whether you prefer the classic or the vegan version, our Christmas Cauliflower Casserole is sure to be a hit at your holiday gathering. It's a crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for vegetarians and vegans too. With its vibrant colors, delightful aromas, and irresistible taste, this casserole will bring warmth and cheer to your Christmas table.
CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE
Creamy and cheesy cauliflower casserole with cream cheese and bacon is an easy, low-carb side dish perfect for holidays and gatherings.
Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Categories Side Dish
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Lightly coat a wide 3-quart (9x13) casserole dish, with nonstick spray, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Transfer the cauliflower to the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Keep the bowl handy. Roast cauliflower on the lower rack for 30 minutes, until the florets are tender and begin to brown.
- Meanwhile, arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared foil-lined baking sheet. Bake on the upper rack until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the bacon and cauliflower from the oven. Stir the cauliflower, spread it back into an even layer, and place it on the upper rack to continue cooking until the end of its baking time.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and lightly pat dry. Once cool enough to handle, roughly chop or crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- In the same bowl that you used to toss the cauliflower, beat together the cream cheese and Greek yogurt until combined. Stir in 1/3 cup Gruyere cheese, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and half of the chopped bacon.
- Remove the roasted cauliflower from the oven and dollop the cream cheese mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 cup of Gruyere and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan.
- Return the pan to the upper third of the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and gooey, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Broil the casserole until golden on top, 1 to 3 minutes. Do not walk away, and watch carefully to make sure the cheese does not burn.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh chives and remaining bacon. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 of 8, Calories 229 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Cholesterol 34 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 9 g
CHRISTMAS CAULIFLOWER
A Swiss cheese sauce gives this vegetable casserole an extra special taste. I have served it for Christmas for the past 20 years, and my family says the meal just wouldn't be as delicious without it. -Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 50m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place 1 in. of water in a large saucepan; add cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and pat dry. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute green pepper and mushrooms in butter for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add flour; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add pimientos and salt. , Place half of the cauliflower in a greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with half of the sauce. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 153 calories, Fat 9g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 448mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
EASY CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE
Loaded with cheese and covered with breadcrumbs, your kids just might confuse this Easy Cauliflower Casserole with their favorite Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Lucky for you, not only is this version loaded with veggies instead of pasta, it also makes the most of your pantry staples. Grab the cooking spray, panko, and can of cream of chicken soup, and you're practically halfway there. Don't have cream of chicken? Any "cream of" soup will do the trick. Try cream of celery to mix things up. Ready in just 45 minutes, this is the ultimate weeknight casserole, though it makes a statement at any potluck supper too. For a party-ready touch, add a dash of parsley to your casserole as soon as you pull it out of the oven. It's the ultimate way to dress up the golden panko topping if you're making and taking for a special occasion.
Provided by Southern Living Editors
Categories Casserole
Time 45m
Yield Serves 4 to 6 (serving size: about 1 cup)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Trim cauliflower into florets. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high; add cauliflower, and boil until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain cauliflower, and return to saucepan.
- Stir together cream of chicken soup and sour cream in a small bowl; add to cauliflower, and toss to combine. Transfer mixture to a greased (with cooking spray) 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle casserole with cheese and panko; dot with butter slices.
- Bake in preheated oven until casserole is bubbly and panko is golden, about 30 minutes. If desired, top with parsley.
LOADED CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE
Cauliflower just got loaded -- like a baked potato, that is. All the familiar flavors of your favorite stuffed spud are in this cheesy casserole that is low in carbs and high in flavor.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cook the bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings.
- Put the cauliflower florets in a 3-quart casserole dish. Toss with the reserved 2 tablespoons bacon drippings, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast until the florets are soft and begin to brown, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together the cream cheese and 1 cup of the Cheddar in a medium bowl until well combined. Dollop over the cauliflower, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and bake until the cauliflower is tender when poked with a knife and the Cheddar is melted and bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes more.
- Dollop the sour cream evenly over the casserole and sprinkle with the scallions and reserved bacon pieces.
CHRISTMAS CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE RECIPE - (4.3/5)
Provided by á-10881
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°. Cook cauliflower according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, mix sour cream, cheese, bouillon and mustard until blended. Stir in cauliflower; transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add stuffing mix and walnuts; cook and stir until lightly toasted. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, 17-20 minutes or until heated through and topping is browned.
CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE
To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces, and crushed cornflakes. We enjoyed this casserole so much that leftovers were rare. -Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°. Place 1 in. of water in a saucepan; add cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until crisp-tender, 5-10 minutes. Drain. , In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cornflakes, peppers and salt; transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. , Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 162 calories, Fat 10g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 503mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE
A quick, delightful dish that is easy to make and sure to please! Those who say they hate cauliflower always enjoy this dish.
Provided by JEH30
Categories Side Dish Casseroles Cauliflower
Time 45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cauliflower, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Drain, and place in a 2 quart casserole dish.
- In a small bowl mix together butter, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, salt, and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle mixture over cauliflower, and top with Cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 307.3 calories, Carbohydrate 14.5 g, Cholesterol 64.1 mg, Fat 24.1 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 14.5 g, Sodium 498.7 mg, Sugar 3 g
Tips:
- Choose the right cauliflower: For the best results, use a head of cauliflower that is fresh and firm, with no signs of bruising or wilting.
- Steam the cauliflower correctly: Steaming the cauliflower ensures that it is cooked evenly and retains its nutrients. Make sure to use a steamer basket that fits inside a pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- Don't overcook the cauliflower: Overcooked cauliflower will become mushy and lose its flavor. Steam the cauliflower for just until it is tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of the casserole. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Gruyère if you prefer a more subtle taste.
- Add some extras: Feel free to add other ingredients to the casserole to customize it to your liking. Some popular additions include cooked bacon, diced ham, or chopped vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
Conclusion:
Christmas Cauliflower Casserole is a delicious and festive dish that is perfect for any holiday gathering. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Plus, it is a healthy alternative to traditional holiday dishes that are often high in calories and fat. So whether you are looking for a new holiday dish to try or a healthier way to enjoy your favorite holiday foods, Christmas Cauliflower Casserole is a great option.
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