This healthy keto loaded mashed cauliflower is a delicious low carb side dish. A great keto substitute for mashed potatoes, this mashed cauliflower is full of flavor and it’s topped with cheese and bacon. With only 6 ingredients you can easily make this mashed cauliflower casserole and it only has 3.6g net carbs per serving.
You might also like this low carb cheesy cauliflower casserole recipe.
With the Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I wanted to think of some low carb recipes I could serve or bring to these dinners that everyone would like. In other words something that wouldn’t make the guests say, “oh is that a low carb dish?”
I remembered my mom used to make a twice baked potato casserole that wasn’t low carb but very delicious. This keto loaded mashed cauliflower is a based on my mom’s dish and turned out fantastic! It is a savory, creamy cauliflower casserole that is topped with cheese and salty bacon but has only 3.6g net carbs.
Other Keto Thanksgiving Sides
You can make all of the traditional holiday side dishes into keto side dishes. Below are a few that we have had for Thanksgiving or even Christmas dinners. This loaded cauliflower mashed is a must but here are a few more keto Thanksgiving sides.
The 6 Ingredients Used To Make
Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
When my mother made loaded mashed potatoes, she added French onion dip and cheddar cheese to her potatoes. For this cauliflower mash casserole I use French onion dip, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, chives, bacon and cauliflower. All those cheeses and bacon are what make this cauliflower casserole loaded!
Let’s Make Some Keto Comfort Food!
You start by cooking the cauliflower in the microwave for about 10 – 15 minutes. You want the cauliflower to be fork tender. I have used this microwave steamer for years and years for things cooking vegetables like this.
Tip: It’s better to steam cauliflower rather than boil it to keep it from being too watery. The cream cheese also helps the thicken mashed cauliflower.
Once the cauliflower is cooked add it to a high speed blender like a Vitamix along with the onion dip and cream cheese. The onion dip give the cauliflower mash tons of flavor.
Next you sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and place the loaded cauliflower casserole in the oven.
Bake it for about 10 minute until the cheese is nice and melty. Then take it out of the oven and sprinkle the bacon and chives on top.
So like my mother’s twice baked mashed potato casserole, this is a twice baked mashed cauliflower casserole … but with bacon!!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Note that this dish took a whole head of cauliflower to make this batch. I could eat two helpings of this myself. If making this for a crowd you might want to double or triple this recipe.
- It’s better to steam rather than boil the cauliflower but you can use either method. Just make sure to drain all of the water out before putting it into the blender. This will keep the cauliflower from becoming too watery.
- The cream cheese will help to thicken the cauliflower mash. If you want you can add some of the cheese as well into the mash instead of the top.
I hope you try this loaded mashed cauliflower casserole and maybe even make it for a holiday side dish. It really is a great substitute for mashed potatoes. I think you and your guests will love it!
Nutritional information for 1 serving:
122 cals/ 8.6g fat / 5.5g carb / 1.9g fiber / 6.8g protein = 3.6g net carbs
Loaded Mashed Cauliflower Casserole
This loaded mashed cauliflower casserole is a delicious low carb side dish for the holidays. Only 3.6g net carbs per serving.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets and pieces
- 2 pieces of thick bacon, crumbled
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese. shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
- 2 tablespoons French onion dip, ready made
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 oz cream cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the chopped up cauliflower to a microwave steamer pot or large bowl and microwave for 10-15 minutes until fork tender.
- While that is cooking, make your bacon and chop your chives.
- When the cauliflower is done, drain it well and add it to a high speed blend along with the onion dip, salt and cream cheese. You may have to do this in two batches.
- Add the mashed cauliflower to a baking dish. If working in batches mix everything well and then top with cheese. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted to your liking.
- Take it out of the oven, top with crumbled bacon and chives.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutritional information for 1 serving:
122 cals/ 8.6g fat / 5.5g carb / 1.9g fiber / 6.8g protein = 3.6g net carbs
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Note that this dish took a whole head of cauliflower to make this batch. I could eat two helpings of this myself. If making this for a crowd you might want to double or triple this recipe.
- It’s better to steam rather than boil the cauliflower but you can use either method. Just make sure to drain all of the water out before putting it into the blender. This will keep the cauliflower from becoming too watery.
- The cream cheese will help to thicken the cauliflower mash. If you want you can add some of the cheese as well into the mash instead of the top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 122Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Erica Schmidt
I absolutely LOVE mashed cauliflower! Just made some the other night with broccoli thrown in. Pinning for later, thanks for sharing!
Susan
I love this alternative to mashed potatoes. I don’t know that I will do it for Thanksgiving but I have made a blend of cauliflower and potatoes for my kids so they are getting used to the texture and taste. They would love this. Thank you for sharing.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
this looks delicious!! I love cauliflower – Would love to have you come share at the What’s for Dinner Link up!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-70/
Hezzi-D
Yummy! What a great way to serve mashed cauliflower!
Denise
Thanks! I really liked it and can’t wait to make it for Thanksgiving this year.
The Ninja Baker
Your cauliflower casserole is absolutely brilliant! (Pinning!) Quick question: I presume the French Onion Dip is ready to go dip….Not the powder, yes?
Thank you for the recipe!
Denise
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! I meant the ready made French onion dip. Sorry for the confusion.
Abbe@This is How I Cook
This does sound like a winner! Love the french onion soup dip. I would finish that off too!
Denise
Me too!
Caroline
Looks like a tasty way to enjoy cauliflower!