Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Preheat your oven to 370 degrees F. This step is important because it ensures that your casserole cooks evenly and comes out perfectly bubbly and golden. While the oven is warming up, grab an 11x7 or 13x9 baking dish and give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. This will help prevent any sticking and make cleanup a breeze!

In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. The smell of sizzling bacon is sure to get everyone’s attention! Once it’s cooked to perfection, remove it from the skillet and crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Set it aside for now; we’ll be adding it back in later for that delicious crunch.

While the bacon is cooking, prepare the cauliflower. Steam the cauliflower florets until they’re tender, which should take about 15 to 20 minutes. You want them soft enough to mix easily but not so mushy that they lose their shape. If you don’t have a steamer, you can also boil them in a pot of water until tender.

In a large bowl, combine some creamy sour cream, rich mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, and a dash of black pepper. This mixture will add a wonderful creaminess and flavour to the casserole. Once that’s mixed well, gently fold in the steamed cauliflower florets, half of the crumbled bacon, 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, and three tablespoons of chopped chives. Give everything a good stir until all the ingredients are well combined and the cauliflower is nicely coated.

Transfer this delicious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, and then it’s time for the finishing touches! Sprinkle a generous layer of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese on top, followed by the remaining crumbled bacon. This will create a wonderfully cheesy and crispy topping that everyone will love.

Cover the dish with foil to keep all that moisture in, and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. This will help everything meld together beautifully. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it during this time; you want the cheese to be bubbly and just starting to turn golden brown.

Once it’s out of the oven, don’t forget to garnish it with the remaining chives for a pop of colour and fresh flavour. Now you’re ready to serve up this loaded cauliflower casserole packed with flavour and sure to impress! Enjoy every cheesy, bacon-filled bite!

Original recipe by Dear Crissy