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 to accompany cauliflower cheese? ›

    Crusty bread, with either garlic or herbs (or even just lashings of butter), adds a comforting, savoury element and gives you something to soak up all the delicious cheese sauce with. Personally, I often serve my cauliflower cheese with both crunchy bread and a green salad to cover all of the bases.

    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 to pair 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 my cauliflower cheese sauce split? ›

    Cook your cauliflower cheese at the right temperature, otherwise your cheese sauce can split. If your cheese sauce splits before that, it can be down to leaving it out too long, or you've boiled the sauce. If this happens, add a splash of milk or cream and whisk vigorously and it should come back to life.

    Is cauliflower cheese a main meal? ›

    Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish. It can be eaten as a main course, for lunch or dinner, or as a side dish. Cauliflower cheese consists of pieces of cauliflower lightly boiled and covered with a milk-based cheese sauce, for which a mature cheese (such as cheddar) tends to be preferred.

    What vegetable is best with cheese? ›

    Vegetables
    • Asparagus.
    • Baked Eggplant.
    • Baked Potatoes.
    • Baked Squash.
    • Baked Sweet Potatoes.
    • Beets.
    • Bell Peppers.
    • Black Olives.

    Why can't you reheat cauliflower cheese? ›

    Can you reheat cauliflower cheese? Yes you can, and it will taste fine… But just be aware that it will dry out a little and the cauliflower will be a little bit softer… not a deal breaker, but definitely not as good as fresh! Simply place any leftover cauliflower in a lidded container and refrigerate.

    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.

    How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

    Not Draining Excess Water. "If you want to make cauliflower rice or cauliflower pizza crust, you'll need to wring out the excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel," says Blay. If you don't, your cauliflower will be far too mushy to imitate the carbs you're trying to replace.

    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.

    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.

    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).

    Why does cauliflower cheese upset my stomach? ›

    Broccoli, cauli and cabbage

    But the bacteria in your gut loves to utilise it for energy, and this results in gas. Many of these cruciferous veg also contain sulphur, and you know all about the smell that can lead to. Image caption, Cauliflower cheese with onions could lead to bothersome gassiness.

    How long can you keep cooked cauliflower cheese in the fridge? ›

    How long can you keep Cauliflower Cheese in the fridge? Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Cauliflower Cheese in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

    How long to boil cauliflower? ›

    Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower).

    Is cauliflower cheese good for IBS? ›

    Unfortunately, cauliflower is a no-go when it comes to a low FODMAP diet. This is because cauliflower contains high levels of mannitol, a common FODMAP within vegetables. FODMAPS are carbohydrates which your small bowel cannot digest. Instead, the bacteria in your large bowel ferment them, result in gas production.

    Why is cauliflower cheese good for you? ›

    It's high in fibre from the pasta and vegetables, phytonutrients from the 5 different vegetables as well as calcium from the milk and cheese. It's always gobbled up. I usually use a whole cauliflower and make double the quantity (as in this video) and freeze individual portions for meals later on.

    What dishes go well with cheese? ›

    Cheese Pairing Chart
    Cheese textureFood
    Soft (mascarpone, feta)Fresh berries, crisp cookies, biscotti, salty or spicy nuts
    Semi-soft (Fontal, provolone)Apples, grapes, roasted or grilled vegetables
    Semi-hard (Asiago, gouda)Nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate
    1 more row

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