Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Add this Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole to your holiday menu for a delicious side dish everyone will love! All the flavor of cheesy mashed potatoes without all the carbs!

I’m not typically a calorie counter or counter of any kind of macros. However, I was curious when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner what the breakdown is. I knew it was going to be bad, but then again we only eat like this a couple times a year, I hope. If you’re curious like me check the next paragraph, if not skip ahead.

So after looking at multiple articles, it looks like the calories average between 2,000-3,500 depending on gender, age, weight, etc. Fat rang in at over 120 grams and I even saw a couple articles that said over 200 grams. And of course the carbs, which as we know is the bulk of the meal. 375+ carbs, oh my! That’s probably why I have so much energy the next morning on my run!

Looking at the numbers is a little shocking and something I do like to at least be aware of. It doesn’t mean it’s going to stop me from having a piece of apple pie or an extra roll. This isn’t how I, or most people eat every day, so it shouldn’t be something we stress out about. Enjoying the day, the company we’re with and the fact that we have all this wonderful food to eat should be the main focus.

There are easy ways to cut back on some of the calories and still have an amazing meal. Opting for more fiber filled vegetable sides like the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Maple Mustard Dressing I shared the recipe for on Monday or this Harvest Quinoa Salad will help you feel more full and satisfied.

If you want to cut back on some carbs to help balance out the piece of deep dish apple pie…or two you’ll be having after dinner, I highly suggest making this Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole!

This casserole is based off of the recipe for my Skinny Cheesy Potato Casserole. The texture and flavor are very similar to that of traditional mashed potatoes, especially when you add in the mix-ins that I did.

Low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt not only add a little tang and creaminess to the cauliflower casserole, but protein as well. Sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella make it super cheesy and for extra flavor be sure to add in the green onions and smoked paprika.

This Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole will be a delicious side dish to add to your Thanksgiving table as well as a nice alternative to the carb heavy mashed potatoes that you or some of your guests might be looking for.

More Holiday Side Dishes

Roasted Squash with Pesto, Feta and Pomegranate Seeds

Cinnamon Maple Squash Casserole

Butternut Squash Farro Salad with Arugula and Cranberries

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds cauliflower, core removed and roughly chopped into florets
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 2 ounces low fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions, approximately 2 green onions
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Spray a 9x9 or similar sized baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F. 
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil then add in the cauliflower. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the cauliflower is very soft. Drain the water then return the cauliflower to the pot. 
3. Add the smoked paprika, granulated garlic, salt and pepper and cream cheese. Use an immersion stick to purée the cauliflower until smooth. Add in the Greek yogurt and all of the cheese minus 1/4 cup and purée again until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the green onions then transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese on top is golden and melted. Sprinkle with extra smoked paprika and green onions. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 124Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 268mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 10g