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

    Why does cauliflower cheese go watery in the oven? ›

    Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

    What do you serve cauliflower cheese with? ›

    Sliced tomatoes. Spinach. Or put pasta in with it for a mixed macaroni cheese / cauliflower cheese thing. From tasty stews and slow cooked roasts to delicious desserts and freshly baked bread, check out these recipe books for cooking up a storm in your slow cooker.

    What pairs well with cauliflower? ›

    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.

    Why does cauliflower cheese upset my stomach? ›

    Cauliflower provides essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but it can also cause stomachaches or abdominal cramps. The culprit behind the stomachaches is cauliflower's fiber content, which becomes most troublesome when you increase your fiber intake too rapidly without giving your body time to adjust.

    What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do? ›

    Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

    What is cauliflower cheese sauce made of? ›

    Ingredients
    1. 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets.
    2. ¼ cup butter.
    3. ¼ cup all-purpose flour.
    4. 1 ¾ cups 1% milk.
    5. 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated.
    6. salt and ground black pepper to taste.
    7. 2 ounces mature Cheddar cheese, grated.

    Why can't you freeze cauliflower cheese? ›

    It can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to cook. It is possible to freeze cauliflower cheese but unfortunately the sauce can sometimes turn thin and sligtly watery on defrosting, so we prefer not to freeze the dish if at all possible.

    Can I eat cauliflower cheese with IBS? ›

    Cruciferous vegetables to avoid when you have IBS include: Broccoli. Cauliflower. Cabbage (including sauerkraut)

    What organ is cauliflower good for? ›

    Cauliflower Benefits

    Fiber helps maintain healthy digestion, reducing your risk of digestive disorders. It also promotes the growth of good bacteria in your gut. A healthy balance of gut bacteria helps lower inflammation in your body and reduces your risk of heart disease, dementia, and obesity.

    What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

    Romanesco, also known as broccoflower or Roman cauliflower, is a chartreuse, unique-looking vegetable prized for its appearance and mild flavor. It is sometimes assumed to be a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but is botanically different (although related).

    What is the best companion for cauliflower? ›

    Allium plants, like garlic, onions, and chives, are top-notch cauliflower companion plants if you want to keep pests at bay. These plants contain sulfur compounds that mask the scent of nearby cauliflower and other crops that pests love. The scent of alliums also repels deer, aphids, and cabbage loopers.

    How to cook cauliflower Rachael Ray? ›

    In a covered Dutch oven, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Cut the core away from the cauliflower and set the head into the pot and add the stock. Cover and steam until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and separate the cauliflower into florets.

    Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

    If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

    Is it healthier to steam or bake cauliflower? ›

    Evenly-sized florets: When cutting the cauliflower into florets, aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Steaming for nutrient retention: Steaming preserves the cauliflower's natural flavors and nutrients best. This is the ideal option if you're looking to maximize health benefits.

    Why does my cheese sauce go runny in the oven? ›

    Overcooking is the main reason cheese sauces split. The béchamel sauce only needs to be hot enough to melt the cheese, which you should add gradually, mixing gently until it is fully incorporated.

    How do you keep cheese from getting watery? ›

    Wipe the cheese dry, wrap in parchment or wax paper and place in an airtight container. Store in your vegetable drawer or if you have one, the shelf compartment specifically designed for cheese. This is a more temperature stable area and cheese seems to last better when placed here.

    How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

    "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay. The edges will get much crispier than they would if you baked them on parchment paper.

    Why is my baked cauliflower soggy? ›

    Crowding the cauliflower on the pan could make them cook up mushy and a bit soggy. Leave some space between the florets. Be sure not to use too much olive oil to cook them.

    References

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