Description

This Cauliflower Jalapeño Popper Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy baked side dish that combines tender cauliflower florets with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Topped with a crispy pork rind or breadcrumb crust and garnished with green onions, it’s a delicious low-carb comfort food perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2–3 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

½ cup crushed pork rinds or breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter

Garnish

Chopped green onions

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Cauliflower: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 5–7 minutes until just tender but still slightly firm. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Add Cheeses and Jalapeños: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, finely chopped jalapeños, and most of the crumbled bacon, reserving some bacon for the topping.
Combine with Cauliflower: Gently fold the cooked cauliflower into the cheese mixture, ensuring the florets are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
Assemble Casserole: Transfer the cauliflower mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed pork rinds or breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and the mixture is bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the reserved crumbled bacon and chopped green onions over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For extra heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Use pre-steamed frozen cauliflower for a quicker preparation.
This dish is low-carb if using pork rind topping instead of breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 65mg