Cauliflower Au Gratin Easy Side Dish

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.

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.

This cauliflower version is lighter but still packed with flavor and all the textures you’d expect. The cauliflower is a similar texture to the potatoes meanwhile the cream and cheese give you all the indulgent flavors you expect.

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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 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!

If you’re looking for another low carb side dish with high protein, try this simple lentil recipe. It has amazing texture and flavors, so it pairs well with fish, turkey or other poultry.

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.

All of these ingredients are easy to grab from your favorite grocery store. There’s nothing complicated or difficult to find which makes this recipe one of my favorites.

Using cauliflower makes this au gratin recipe lighter and a little more carb friendly if you are doing keto and similar programs. You’ll love how creamy and delicious the end result is and the boost of nutrients is always excellent.

• 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:

Let’s dive in and check out how simple it is to make this cauliflower au gratin. It’s a simple recipe but the flavors are great. This straightforward recipe is great for the holidays but it’s also nice all year long.

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.

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!

Speaking of simple, keep your Thanksgiving turkey easy as well. This mayonnaise roasted turkey is just delicious!

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!

All of these other recipes are easy to make and family friendly. There’s nothing like some excellent side dishes to compliment a great meal. These are all tasty choices that everyone will enjoy, they will make your holiday table look and smell phenomenal.

• Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
• 10 Picnic and Potluck Side Dishes
• Creamy Bacon Parmesan Pasta Salad
• Delicious Corn Salad With Bacon
• Vegetarian Greek Quinoa Salad