Trim Healthy Mama Loaded Cauliflower Bake THM-S

Cauliflower is one of the latest trends in low-carb dieting. I have yet to try it to make breadsticks or calzones but I am loving cauliflower fried rice & this new recipe for loaded cauliflower bake. My family includes my husband and I (we’re both on the Trim Healthy Mama – THM plan) and our three kiddos who, at ages 11, 6, & 4 can be rather picky eaters. They literally think the cauliflower fried rice is better than regular fried rice! Once I saw what a hit that was I decided to substitute cauliflower in a couple of potato dishes to see how it went over.

My Loaded Cauliflower Bake is reminiscent of a loaded baked potato. You truly won’t miss the potatoes! It also reminds me of the popular cauliflower broccoli casserole with rice…you won’t miss the rice either! I know I’ve said it before, but trust me, I’m one of the pickiest mamas you’ll meet. If I say you won’t miss an ingredient you can believe you won’t miss it. This is an ooey-gooey, flavor-filled casserole style dish that can be used as a side to a carb-friendly meal like Dan’s Pulled Pork.

In fact, it tastes great with the pulled pork on top just like a loaded potato with barbecue pork on top. You can find the recipe for this pork here! It is a dry rub and my friends who are reading the recipe for the first time often ask multiple times if I’m sure they don’t need to add liquid…you will absolutely not need to add liquid to this pork recipe. It is so juicy and delicious it makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Try it today without the bun! It has a great depth of flavor.

You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower for this dish. If you use frozen, be sure to thaw it completely and drain it before baking. The fun thing about this dish is that it can be frozen and reheated. I like to make it in a 9×13 pan and then once we’ve enjoyed it for dinner and the dish has cooled I simply cut it into squares and place it on a small cookie sheet to freeze. After it is frozen solid you can then bag it up in your freezer baggies or food saver bags to store.

This is an S meal for THM. The S stands for satisfying and like all S meals you’ll find it does not disappoint. One thing we love most about THM is that we don’t feel like we’re dieting. This meal is no different, there is nothing ‘diety’ about delicious cheese & bacon surrounding cauliflower baking in heavy creamy goodness. This is sure to please your family even if they aren’t on THM! I think this would be a fantastic Thanksgiving side dish or potluck carry-in. It will be a crowd pleaser for sure.

Trim Healthy Mama Loaded Cauliflower Bake – THM-S – Mary Bondurant

• Author: Mary Bondurant
• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook Time: 25 Minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 People

Ingredients

• 2 Bags Frozen Cauliflower (Fresh Works Fine)
• 16 Ounces Cheddar Jack Cheese (Shredded)
• 8 Ounces Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
• 6 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Green Onion (Chopped)
• 1 Pound bacon (Cooked and Crumbled (A tip for dicing bacon before frying it is to freeze it briefly first, makes it easier to cut.))
• 1/2 Tablespoon garlic (Minced/Dried or one clove fresh)

Instructions

1. Thaw the cauliflower and drain.
2. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray then combine all of the ingredients (except half of the shredded cheese) and pour into the dish.
3. Top with remaining half of shredded cheese and bake at 400 for 25 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Enjoy!