My easy Cheesy Cauliflower Rice recipe is a comforting and delicious side dish to complete any of your meals. You only need five ingredients, and it’s one of the best healthy sides you will ever taste.
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If you haven’t eaten a lot of cauliflower, trust me! It’s one of those things that really grows on you and can be transformed into comfort food with the right recipe. There are many dishes that just taste better with a healthy side, like this cheesy cauliflower rice.
For the most part, we try our best to eat wholesome food that is nutritious. BUT when you are eating this cauliflower recipe, it doesn’t even taste like it should be healthy. It’s so comforting, cheesy, and scrumptious it’s hard not to go back for seconds. Try it for yourself, and you will see what all the fuss is about.
While you are in the mood for cauliflower, be sure to try my Keto Mashed Cauliflower with Cream, Loaded Cauliflower Casserole, Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice, and Dirty Cauliflower Rice. I can’t even tell you which one of my low carb cauliflower recipes I like the best because they are all so good.
Ingredients
It really doesn’t get much easier than this recipe for this low carb keto cheesy cauliflower rice. I think you are really going to like the minimal ingredients, just five common ingredients plus a little salt and pepper. Let’s take a look:
Frozen Cauliflower Rice: Head to your local grocer and grab a could of bags of frozen riced cauliflower. It’s easy because it’s already made, and you just have to thaw and drain it. I always buy extra because I use it in many keto recipes.
Sour Cream: What makes this recipe stand apart from others is the sour cream. I love the rich and creaminess it provides.
Cream Cheese: It’s best to start with softened cream cheese. Cold cream cheese is going to result in lumpy rice, and it’s just not very good. You can place it on the counter for an hour or so before you begin or place it in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 10 - 15 seconds until it’s softened.
Mayo: You need full-fat real mayonnaise for this recipe. Trust me, it’s incredible, and there aren’t any acceptable substitutes.
Cheese: I use a combination of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. If possible, shred it yourself because it will melt better in your low carb recipes and doesn't have additives like potato starch.
Salt & Pepper - Feel free to add extra or omit it depending on what you like. Cheese is naturally a little salty, so you don’t need a lot of added salt.
How To Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
If you are always hunting for easy sides, this is one of the best! You barely have to lift a finger, and it comes together beautifully every time. Here are the easy steps to follow:
Step One: Heat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
Step Two: Add all of the cheese except ⅓ cup for the topping to a dish. Stir the cauliflower, sour cream, mayo, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and the rest of the shredded cheese together.
Step Three: Pour the cauliflower mixture into the pan and add the rest of the cheese.
Step Four: Bake the cheesy cauliflower rice for 40-45 minutes or until it becomes bubbly and golden brown.
Variations
Sauteed - If you want to saute the cauli-rice to boost the flavor you can. Just saute in butter or olive oil before proceeding with the recipe.
Spices - Add some black pepper, garlic powder, and/or onion powder to boost the flavor.
Loaded - Make loaded cheesy cauli-rice by adding bacon crumbles or real bacon bits, sliced green onions or scallions, and then topping it with pork rinds crumbs that have been browned in butter. This is an amazing variation of this recipe!
Spicy - Add some diced green chilies.
Saucy - If you like to have a lot of cheese sauce you can add some heavy cream or chicken broth to thin the sauce. Or even double the ingredients (minus the cauliflower)
Broccoli - You can also try other types of riced vegetables in this. Riced broccoli works well as do blends of cauliflower rice with other chopped veggies.
Common Questions
How do I Store Leftovers?
If you have any leftovers you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Can You Make Cauliflower Rice with Fresh Cauliflower?
Yes, you are welcome to use fresh cauliflower rice if you’d rather. To make it, you will need to cut it into pieces and add it to your food processor. Mix until it resembles rice, and you are good to go. Be sure not to overprocess it, or the texture is going to be off.
You can also buy fresh riced cauliflower in the produce section of some well-stocked grocery stores.
Can I Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice Ahead Of Time?
Sure! You can prepare and bake this cheesy keto cauliflower in advance. After it’s cooled down, place it in a container that has a tight-fitting lid. It typically lasts 4-5 days in the fridge.
What Health Benefits Do You Get From Cauliflower?
Due to its mild flavor and the fact that it’s low in carbs, it’s a popular ingredient in the keto community. But, it’s also super healthy and has valuable nutrients too. It is a great source of fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Plus, it also is an antioxidant too. So, eat your cauliflower because you can’t go wrong.
What Do I Serve This With?
Any of your favorite keto meals. Really. We like it with so many different gluten free dishes they are impossible to name. A few of our top main dish choices to have along with cauliflower rice recipes are my easy Keto Chicken Thighs, Keto Mississippi Pot Roast, Keto Ground Beef Stroganoffor Keto Pulled Pork. As long as you pair it with a protein you are good to go.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Set aside ⅓ cup of the shredded cheese to use as a topping. Stir together the remaining ingredients. Spread in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the reserved cheese.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the casserole is golden and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published
Dyanne says
This recipe is to die for. So delicious. Everybody loved it
Sl says
This sounds so.yummy!! Is the frozen cauliflower rice thawed and drained but not cooked? Thanks
Taryn says
Yes, it cooks as it bakes.
Susan says
Looks yummy! Would you suggest a sub for someone who detests sour cream? Thx
Taryn says
Greek yogurt or a soft cheese like ricotta or mascarpone.
Annemarie Laco says
Hi! I am trying to cut back on dairy (higher cholesterol) do you think greek yogurt or cottage cheese would be a good substitute for the mayo in your recipes? I love this recipe. Would it be the same amountt Thanks so much.
Taryn says
Cottage cheese would work better. But mayo is dairy free and your suggestions do contain dairy.
Judy W. says
This was so delicious! A really good take on "hash brown potato casserole". I like to serve one savory dish as part of my meal and this is a winner! My husband & I like your spinach casserole, too. Well done.
Taryn says
Thanks, Judy! I do also have a different hashbrown casserole made based on the one from Cracker Barrel. It's a bit different from this and just as delicious 🙂 https://joyfilledeats.com/cracker-barrel-hashbrown-casserole/
Sara says
Omg this was so delicious!! I used Colby Jack because it’s what I had on hand. I also added some paprika. Instead of topping with the Colby Jack, I topped with shredded Parmesan. Holy smokes!! So, so good! Thank you for the awesome recipe!
Ilene Greising says
I was very nervous about making this dish. I followed the directions but found it bland in taste. Then I reheated it the 2nd night and WOW... all the flavors POPPED!!!!
Thank you... delicious recipe.
Rebecca Loroff says
I lightened up this recipe a bit out of necessity and curiosity. I accidentally bought a jar of expired mayo, so I subbed in tahini, and I used neufchâtel instead of cream cheese. It's still very good!
Katie says
I have recently fallen in love with cauli rice. So versatile! This cheesy version does not disappoint.
Sandi says
My whole family loved this recipe, even my picky one!
Deb says
I served this to low-carb and non-low-carbers alike: everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. Thanks!
Shelly R says
Made this with roast chicken. Amazing! I could have eaten the whole 8x8 myself! Definitely going in my rotation.
Andrea Hill says
You mention that there is no substitute for mayonnaise but what if you cannot eat eggs?