Pepped Up Cauliflower Casserole
Elevate your veggie game with this irresistible Pepped Up Cauliflower Casserole! A bold twist on traditional comfort food, this casserole combines tender cauliflower florets with a rich and creamy cheese sauce infused with a fiery kick from jalapeños and paprika. Topped with a golden, buttery panko breadcrumb crust and melty layers of cheddar and parmesan, every bite is bursting with texture and flavor. Perfect as a standout side dish or a satisfying main for cauliflower lovers, this easy-to-make recipe delivers crowd-pleasing results in just under an hour. Garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and taste, this casserole is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious and unique baked cauliflower dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 whole jalapeño, finely chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray.
Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and blanch in boiling salted water for 5-6 minutes until slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and jalapeño, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Add half the cheddar cheese and half the parmesan cheese into the skillet, stirring until melted and fully combined.
Place the blanched cauliflower florets into the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese over the top.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3205 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 274.5 g | 352% | |
| Saturated Fat | 155.6 g | 778% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 753 mg | 251% | |
| Sodium | 6518 mg | 283% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 95.1 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.1 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.6 g | ||
| Protein | 95.5 g | 191% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 2115 mg | 163% | |
| Iron | 8.1 mg | 45% | |
| Potassium | 2460 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
