Loaded Smashed Cauliflower is a delicious side dish. It’s great on the dinner table all year long, but perfect for gatherings and holidays. This recipe is easy to make.
Loaded Smashed Cauliflower Recipe
Have you had a mashed or smashed cauliflower yet? If you have, or if you haven’t, you absolutely want to try this recipe. It’s my Loaded Smashed Cauliflower Recipe.
OMG! It’s sooooooo goooood and yes, I’m a little biased.
I had no idea that mashed cauliflower could be this good. A friend introduced me to the concept with bacon and cheese this summer and my tastebuds are eternally grateful. I of course put my own spin on this yumminess and now, now it’s making a regular debut at dinner.
I like to layer it like making a lasagne with cheese and bacon in between the layers; Mm Mm Good.
Although this is a perfect side dish for gatherings and holidays, it’s almost a meal all on it’s own. I can eat a small bowl of this and be F-U-L-L. Nothing else is needed in my book.
I have to tell you, I like this way better than mashed potatoes, shhh don’t tell mashed potatoes I’m turning them in for my loaded smashed cauliflower recipe (wink).
Here’s the printable version for you to cook, smash, layer and try…
Loaded Smashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 pound of bacon
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons of butter, salted
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz. of sharp cheese, shredded
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the strips of bacon on to it. Bake the bacon strips for 15 - 20 minutes, until crisp. Let it cool. And, once it's cooled chop it up by cutting it and dicing it with a knife.
Remove the leaves from the head of cauliflower. Cut it into quarters. Wash it off and remove any black specks.
Remove the core, but cutting it out. Break the quarters into cauliflower florets by hand.
Place the florets into large saucepan with about an inch of water on the bottom. Cover, bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium and cook for approximately 10 minutes. Until the cauliflower is tender.
Drain the water.
Place the hot cauliflower into a blender and add in the sour cream, butter, onion powder, sea salt, coriander, garlic powder and black pepper. Blend the mixture until it looks like mashed potatoes.
Coat an 8 x 8 dish with butter. Add half of the mashed cauliflower to the pan. Sprinkle half of the chopped bacon on top of the cheese. Add in the remaining mashed cauliflower. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and chopped bacon on top. Bake it at 375 degrees until the cheese is melted and it starts to brown around the edges.
Optional: Add sliced scallions on top before serving.
Notes
Frozen Cauliflower? Yes, you can use them as a substitute, but fresh cauliflower does taste a little bit better and is less soggy over all.
Cheese Change? Like it spicier? Try a shredded Monterey Pepper Jack instead of the sharp.
Want more Sides? Of course you do! Everyone needs options. Check out my Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes. It’s the only way I was able to get my kids to eat sweet potatoes when they were younger. They also make an excellent side dish for gatherings and holidays.
12 Comments on “Loaded Smashed Cauliflower Recipe”
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Jodie, this recipe sounds AMAZING! I can hardly wait to try it.
Thank you. It’s a new favorite here. I hope you enjoyed…xo
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I never thought I’d say this about cauliflower, but this looks so tasty!!
Ha ha = I know right. This is so worth trying….it’s a new favorite!
YUM! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 33 for Thanksgiving Recipes. Shared.
Thank you for hosting us and providing us the opportunity to share = appreciated! Have a GREAT Thanksgiving :)…
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Thank you for hosting! LOVE visiting…Happy Thanksgiving…
Oh man!! That looks and sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Have a lovely rest of the week.
THANK YOU! It’s a delish dish (wink) and perfect for gatherings. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving….and thank you for hosting us!