Name: Cauliflower Au Gratin
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 c. cauliflower florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces; 6 oz. cream cheese, cut into chunks; ¼ c. heavy cream; 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened; ¼ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp dried dill; Sea salt and black pepper, to taste; 1½ cup Italian cheese blend, shredded; 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped

This recipe for cauliflower au gratin is a delicious and simple recipe. It's a nice option to have on the holiday table for those who want to skip the mashed potatoes or stuffing because they're gluten-free or eating low carb.

A pin showing the title of quick and easy cauliflower au gratin and then finished recipe photos shown top and bottom.

When it comes time to start preparing for Thanksgiving and any other holidays, I look for ways to lighten up our classic recipes so that everyone can enjoy them while sticking to their healthy lifestyle plans.

My teens get to carb load as much as they'd like, but my diabetic husband and I eat a lot lighter.

This cauliflower au gratin is great for everyone because it is loaded with flavor, texture, and cheese. It's just 3.5 net carbs per serving which makes is great for keto and diabetic eating plans.

This cauliflower au gratin recipe is a take on potatoes au gratin, which is a hot side dish of thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a delicious cheese sauce.

Top down look at the finished recipe ready to eat.

This version is not lacking in flavor or texture, since the cauliflower soaks up all that cheesy goodness just like the potatoes. It cooks down to a soft and potato-like texture so you won't even notice the difference.

What you might notice is that this incredible side dish flies right off of the serving tray and into bellies. I like to make a double batch so there's plenty to go around, and of course the leftovers are great for lunches throughout the week. Yay for meal prep and dinner all in one!

Here's what you'll need to make cauliflower au gratin:

This recipe makes six servings, so keep that in mind if you are planning for more or less people. These figures can be adjusted to accommodate half or even double or triple the amount for your holiday crowd.

Finished recipe in a serving platter ready to eat.

fresh cauliflower
cream cheese
heavy cream
unsalted butter, softened
garlic powder
dried dill
salt and black pepper
shredded Italian cheese blend
bacon, cooked and crumbled
fresh chives

How to make this delicious Thanksgiving side dish:

Place the top oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place the cauliflower in a steamer basket on top of a pot with boiling water and steam until fork-tender, around 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer cauliflower into a cold water bath to prevent further cooking. Drain well and pat dry.

Transfer steamed cauliflower to a large bowl and add cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.

Another pin showing the title at the top and the finished cauliflower au gratin in the background.

Transfer to oven-safe casserole dish and top with shredded cheese blend and crumbled bacon. Place in a preheated oven and roast until the cheese is melted and nicely browned on top, around 8-10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve immediately topped with fresh chives.

It really is as easy as that! This is a simple recipe with really simple ingredients that comes together to form a truly indulgent side dish that everyone will love. Cauliflower au gratin is also a great side dish for hiding veggies. If you have picky eaters, chances are this cheesy cauliflower with bacon will be a hit!

Looking for other delicious side dish recipes?

If you are planning your meals or need some inspiration check out these other side dish recipes! Hopefully you'll find some new favorites!

Yield: 6 Servings

Cauliflower Au Gratin

This recipe for cauliflower au gratin is a delicious and simple recipe that's a great option on your holiday table for those eating low carb.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

4 c. cauliflower florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
6 oz. cream cheese, cut into chunks
¼ c. heavy cream
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried dill
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1½ cup Italian cheese blend, shredded
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

Place the top oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the cauliflower in a steamer basket on top of a pot with boiling water and steam until fork-tender, around 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer cauliflower into a cold water bath to prevent further cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
Transfer steamed cauliflower to a large bowl and add cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.
Transfer to oven-safe casserole dish and top with shredded cheese blend and crumbled bacon. Place in a preheated oven and roast until the cheese is melted and nicely browned on top, around 8-10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately topped with fresh chives. Enjoy!