Description
A delicious and creamy cauliflower cheese bake infused with caramelized onions and crispy turkey bacon, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ pounds cauliflower, cored and chopped into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 5 slices turkey bacon, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, plus extra for garnish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 ounces softened cream cheese (low-fat if desired)
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions (about 2 green onions)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until very tender, then drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat, add sliced onions with a pinch of salt, and cook for 10–12 minutes until soft and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped turkey bacon and cook over medium heat for 5–6 minutes until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the cauliflower along with cream cheese. Use an immersion blender to purée until smooth. Add Greek yogurt and most of the cheese (reserve about ¼ cup for topping), then blend again until creamy.
- Stir in caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and green onions into the cauliflower mixture, saving a small portion of each for topping.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with reserved cheese, onions, and bacon.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, then sprinkle with extra smoked paprika and green onions.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge before baking.
- Feel free to adjust the type of cheese based on your preference.
- For a vegetarian option, you can omit the turkey bacon and use a vegetarian cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg