I’m guessing that if your kids are back to school and you’ve been as busy as I have these past couple of weeks, then you probably need something easy to make for dinner! Since I also needed something easy to post today, hopefully this low carb recipe will benefit both of us!
Honestly, this isn’t even something I was planning to share! I was starving and super busy, so I threw the cauliflower into the microwave, intending to make the jalapeno popper cauliflower casserole. The thing is, when the cauliflower was cooked I didn’t even want to bother pureeing it.
I also didn’t feel like making the cream cheese mixture and slicing the jalapenos!
So I simply attacked the cooked cauliflower (which already had the butter and cream in it) with a fork, and laid some pre-sliced pepper jack cheese over the top. Back in the microwave for 2 more minutes and it was done!
I took a hurried bite because we were on our way out, and instantly was like “holy moly this is DELICIOUS!” and stopped to take a few quick photos so I could share it with you!
[pinterest text=”Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin (low carb and gluten free) from ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cauligratin2small-700×879.jpg”]
This is some no frills food photography if I ever saw it though! It was getting dark, and I had no time to set up to make it pretty either!
I promise, it tastes waaaayyyyyy better than it looks, and was so easy to make that it’s almost embarrassing!
[pinterest text=”Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin (low carb and gluten free) from ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cauligratin3small-700×420.jpg”]
Sometimes when life gets ridiculously busy though, you just need a simple, yet delicious low carb recipe that you can get on the table STAT! This is that recipe! Pair it with the protein of your choice and a side salad, and you’ve got dinner on the table in half an hour or less! Enjoy!
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Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin Recipe (Low Carb and Gluten Free)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A simple, yet delicious, low carb side dish recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw cauliflower florets
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 deli slices pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- In a microwave safe dish, combine the cauliflower, butter, cream, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Microwave on high for about 25 minutes, or until tender. (Edit: There seems to be some confusion about this amount of time. Cook it til it’s soft. It takes me 25 minutes for this much cauliflower in my microwave, yours might be less. You can always start with 10 minutes, then 10 more, then 5 more if necessary. The key is to get it soft enough to mash with a fork. This amount of time also sweetens the cauliflower and reduces the cream and butter, making it like a thick sauce.) Remove from the microwave and mash with a fork or potato masher. Taste and season with more salt or pepper if necessary. Lay the slices of cheese across the top of the cauliflower. Microwave for another 2- 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Serve hot!
Notes
Approximate nutrition info per serving: 215 calories, 19g fat, 2g net carbs, 6g protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: approximately 3/4 cup
[pinterest text=”Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin (low carb and gluten free) from ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cauligratinsmall-700×827.jpg”]
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Nichole Lane says
Oh my. This is amazing. I made it tonight on my second day of low carb eating. I don’t even like cauliflower and I would actually pay to order this dish! Haha. So goooood! Thank you for this recipe. I know it’s 2.5net carbs a serving but how many total carbs per serving? I get confused on that
Nora says
First of all – I LOVE your blog! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful delicious keto recipes. I just started the diet and look at your posts pretty much every day. I’ve tried a few of your recipes so far and all of them were super yummy.
I made the cauliflower in the microwave and it actually caused the oil separate quite a bit from the cheese so it was really oily tasting and made my stomach hurt a little (still delicious though). Maybe it was just the cheese I used, or my microwave. But I thought of maybe trying simmering/steaming the cauliflower in the cream on the stovetop (maybe w/a couple tbsp of extra water so the milk doesn’t scald) then adding the butter and cheese right to the pot without straining and then mashing. Anyway just an idea :)
Mellissa Sevigny says
I don’t know if that would give you the same thick texture Nora, but I’m sure the flavor would be awesome!
Rita Nayar says
Hi Melissa,
I have been on the diet for a week. I have lost 5 lbs. Not a bit hungry and my portions are smaller automatically. I feel like I have been eating lots of food.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Rita
Annette Smith says
I had the same thing happen. I had been checking every 5-10 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, the cauliflower suddenly reduced in size so I went from a fairly full bowl to just over a cup of the mix. Not just greasy but now I’ll get about a tablespoon per portion. Was very yummy though so I’ll have another go.
Kee says
The same happen to my, I barely had a cup left after it cooked. It was definitely delicious. I am going to try 5 cups and less time and see if that works. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Alysha McKenzie says
Did you figure out how to make this recipe without the cauliflower shrinking so much? It’s good, just definitely not 6, 3/4C servings when it shrinks like this. Thanks!
Ali says
Did anyone figure this out? I had barely any left after the microwave, and it was EXTREMELY cheesy when adding in all the cheese because of the way the cauliflower shrunk!
Sarra says
I just printed this to try. I’m going through the recipes you used in your 7-day meal plan for ideas, and this one looks fantastic! I’m sure I will be printing and saving many more :)
Krysti says
I see the recipe says to mash with a fork or potato masher, but the photos look like they have whole (though small) florets?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Mashing it with a fork left some of the pieces intact Krysti, which made for a hearty texture that I really liked! Enjoy!
Patricia says
Melissa,
Can you translate this recipe for those of us who do not use a microwave? I would like baking time and temperature and boiling time for the cauliflower. Should I cook the cauliflower first, and then combine it with the butter, cream, salt and pepper? Would the quanitities of these ingredients change at all? To me, microwaving is the worst thing you can do to good food!
Thanks in advance.
Taylor says
Hi! This sounds amazing, I can’t wait to try it but I have one question: would I be able to substitute the heavy cream for plain Greek yogurt?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I don’t see why not Taylor – but it will change the texture and flavor I’m sure. Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Ellie Hughes says
Had to make his in a 9″ square owl. After 25 mins. There was hardly any cauliflower left. Added the cheese and it was mostly cheese. Delicious but skimpy..
Mellissa Sevigny says
It’s possible that your microwave is stronger than mine, which is why I recommend checking it every ten minutes until you get the right doneness, maybe less time for you next time!
Jane B says
I made this today and it was really good. And so easy. 25 minutes was perfect. Even my husband liked it and he is difficult to please.
Kelly Speiran says
Thank you for sharing this one. Wonderful! I wanted some comfort food today and this was perfect!
Julie says
I made this last night to go with our steaks. This recipe was so easy and so yummy!!! I am always looking for easy, delicious ways to get my veggies. Thanks for posting it.
Mellissa Sevigny says
You’re welcome Julie! I love the cheesy puree recipe too, but this one is so much easier with not needing the magic bullet that I sometimes plan to make the other one and just say “meh” and make this instead because it’s so good!!! Glad you guys liked it!!
Jennifer M says
I made this for dinner tonight because I needed a bit of comfort food. Took 20 minutes in my 800w microwave for 4 cups of fresh cauliflower.
I fried some bacon bits and stirred them in just before adding the cheese, and it was perfect. A lovely, simple recipe which I’ll definitely be making again.
Lynn says
Mine took 15 minutes in the microwave. I did not find that it yielded 6 servings….if so, it was one bite per person. What did I do wrong? I used 4 cups of raw cauliflower….But it was DELICIOUS!
Mercedes says
I just made this as well and ended upp with 4 servings that were 3/4 cup. Had I done 1/2 cup servings I might have been able to get 6, but it would be close. I too used 4 cups of cauliflower, so I’m no sure what we’ve done!
Karen says
You had me at bacon