Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe

If you’re craving a comfort dish that’s cheesy, hearty, and packed with flavor, this Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It combines tender steamed cauliflower with a luscious creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and gooey melted mozzarella for a wholesome yet indulgent experience.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

A perfect low-carb comfort meal: This casserole swaps out carbs for cauliflower, making it keto-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
Simple ingredients, big payoff: Cream cheese, mozzarella, and bacon join forces with steamed cauliflower for a creamy, smoky, satisfying dish.
Quick and easy prep: Just steam, mix, and bake – ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Family-approved crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters love it, thanks to the rich textures and that bacon crunch on top.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe keeps things simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Every ingredient plays an essential role: the cauliflower adds a tender base, cream cheese and half-half bring creamy richness, mozzarella creates gooey goodness, and bacon adds a wonderfully smoky crunch.

• Cauliflower: Fresh florets steam up tender yet firm, providing the perfect low-carb veggie canvas.
• Cream cheese: Softened for easy mixing; this adds silky creaminess and tang.
• Half-half cream: Adds moistness and richness to the cheese sauce without overpowering it.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded for maximum meltiness; save some for a bubbly, golden topping.
• Garlic and onion powder: These enhance the savory flavor without adding texture.
• Bacon: Crisped and chopped for that irresistible smoky crunch on top.
• Fresh parsley: Just a sprinkle to brighten flavors and add a pop of color.

How to Make Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe

Step 1: Steam the Cauliflower

Start by prepping your cauliflower florets, cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Place them into a steamer basket over boiling water and cover—steam just for five minutes until tender but still holding their shape. This step ensures fluffy, not mushy, cauliflower that will soak up all those rich flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Cheese Mixture

While the cauliflower steams, mix cream cheese, half-half cream, shredded mozzarella (reserve some for topping), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This blend creates a luscious sauce that will coat the cauliflower beautifully and melt into a cheesy delight.

Step 3: Combine and Assemble

Toss the hot steamed cauliflower right into that creamy mixture—the heat helps soften and melt the cheese perfectly. Then transfer everything into an oiled casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle your remaining mozzarella and crispy bacon bits evenly over the top for that irresistible finishing touch.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake your casserole uncovered at 425°F for about 10 minutes until bubbly and melted. If you like a little golden browning, pop it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes—just keep a watchful eye to prevent burning. Once out of the oven, scatter fresh chopped parsley to brighten the dish and add a lovely splash of color.

How to Serve Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is your go-to garnish for this casserole — its bright herbal notes balance out the creamy richness beautifully. If you want to get fancy, a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a few cracked black peppercorns adds extra depth and a pop of texture.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. You can also serve it alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, or salmon for added protein and a comforting dinner plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve your cauliflower casserole in individual ramekins for elegant single portions. Or layer it into a deep baking dish topped with fresh herbs and extra bacon to impress guests at your next gathering. Presentation matters and this dish looks stunning when golden and bubbly fresh from the oven.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep the casserole fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat gently to retain that creamy texture without drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze the cauliflower casserole for up to 3 months. Be sure to tightly wrap it or place it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so the texture stays delightful and creamy.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. This helps preserve moisture and keeps the cheese melty without hardening or separating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe is truly a gem that brings warmth, comfort, and delight to the table. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion, it’s simple to make and guaranteed to satisfy. Give it a try—you just might find it quickly becomes a household favorite you turn to again and again!

Cauliflower Casserole with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Mozzarella Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 57 reviews

• Author: Susan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

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Description

This creamy and cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is a comforting and flavorful side dish perfect for any meal. Blanched cauliflower florets are mixed with cream cheese, half-and-half, and mozzarella, then topped with crispy bacon and baked until bubbly and golden. Easy to prepare and rich in texture, this casserole is an excellent way to enjoy cauliflower with a delicious cheesy twist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower

• 2 large cauliflower heads, cut into small florets

Dairy

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup half-and-half cream
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (save some for topping)

Seasonings

• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toppings

• 5 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Steam the cauliflower: Fill a large pot with about 2 cups of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil. Meanwhile, cut the cauliflower heads into small florets and remove the stems. Place the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket, cover the pot, and steam for 5 minutes until slightly tender but retaining some bite.
3. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, half-and-half cream, shredded mozzarella (reserve some for topping), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well blended into a smooth mixture.
4. Combine cauliflower and cheese: Transfer the hot steamed cauliflower florets into the cheese mixture bowl. The heat from the cauliflower will help melt the cheeses, incorporating into a creamy sauce.
5. Assemble the casserole: Lightly oil a casserole dish and spoon the cauliflower and cheese mixture evenly into it. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped crispy bacon evenly on top.
6. Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
7. Optional broiling: For a browned top, switch on the broiler to high for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
8. Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, and serve warm.

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Notes

• Click HERE to watch the web stories for this recipe.
• Skip the bacon or use plant-based bacon to make this casserole vegetarian.
• Add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for extra flavor if desired.
• Shred your own cheese for smoother melting and better texture.
• Storage: Wrap leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, until heated through.
• Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.