↑

Delicious Little Bites

Loving Life One Bite at a Time

  • About
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

Published October 23, 2019. Last updated July 12, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin is just as creamy and flavorful as Au Gratin Potatoes but with only 6 net carbs per serving. This gluten free side dish is the perfect comfort food!

Baked keto Au Gratin Cauliflower in a casserole dish with a wood spoon and a smaller plate with a single serving on it all on a wood table with a few green onions scattered around

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

Trust me when I say this – anyone who enjoys rich, creamy comfort food will love this recipe for Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin! With the exception of the cauliflower, the recipe is almost identical to Bacon Cheddar Au Gratin Potatoes.

I miss potatoes the most when I’m following a low carb diet. This recipe is a prime example of how to do a cauliflower potato swap right. Seriously, I don’t miss the potatoes at all and I don’t think that you will either.

Why This Recipe Works

  • This is a low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free recipe. However, I wouldn’t even mention that to people who gasp at the idea of eating low carb or the word “keto.” We all know at least one of these people. They’ll never know.
  • It’s a delicious side dish recipe that can be paired with lots of things. I would definitely define this as comfort food, but comfort food that you can eat anytime of the year.
  • This is another great recipe to help your kids (and yourself) eat more vegetables. Once again, we have creamy cheese and bacon taking center stage.

How to Make Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

Prep!

A hand holding out single piece of Cauliflower Sliced Thin over a gray background

If you are not using leftover bacon, you will want to cook and crumble that first.

Slice the cauliflower florets into thin pieces so that they resemble potato slices. This little trick allows all of the ingredients to layer on top of each other easier instead of sliding off.

Shred the cheddar cheese.

Tip: it’s best to shred the cheddar cheese from a block for better melting and texture.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Create!

Layers of Cauliflower sliced in the Bottom of a Baking Dish over a wood background

Place a layer of the sliced cauliflower florets into the bottom of a medium size baking dish. I am using this dish, but in green.

Layer of Cauliflower sliced Topped with Bacon and Cheese n a casserole dish over a wood background

Top with a third of the cheddar cheese and bacon. If you are using a larger baking dish, you may only have 2 layers, so divide your cheese and bacon in half.

Cover the cheese and bacon with another row of cauliflower, then another third of the cheese and bacon.  Add one last layer of cauliflower. Set the remaining bacon and cheese aside.

Cauliflower with layers of cheese and bacon between it and cream sauce around it in a casserole dish over a wood background

Whisk together the heavy cream, milk, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Pour all of the cream mixture evenly over the top of the cauliflower and cover tightly with foil.

Baked au gratin cauliflower in a rectangular casserole dish over a wood table

Bake for 45 minutes, or until fork tender.

Once the cauliflower is tender, remove the foil and add the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon to the top. Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes, until melted.

Present!

Close up of baked au gratin cauliflower in a green casserole dish over a wood table

I love the way this recipe looks right out of the oven. Simply add some chopped green scallions to the top and serve!

Note:  as written this recipe will result in a thinner sauce. While you can certainly try them, I personally don’t like low carb thickeners. If you are not following a low carb diet you can add 1-2 tablespoons of gluten free or regular flour to thicken the sauce more.

Tips and Techniques for the Best Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

  • Cut the cauliflower into thin slices that resemble sliced potatoes and for easier layering.
  • Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Bagged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that don’t allow the cheese to melt as nicely and give it a grittier texture.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can try low carb thickeners (I don’t care for them), or add 1-2 tablespoons of gluten free or regular flour (if you’re not low carb).
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days for best results.

FAQ’S

  • What does au gratin mean? Au gratin basically means a dish that is topped with either bread crumbs or cheese and browned in the oven.
  • What is the difference between au gratin and scalloped? Au gratin contains cheese, while scalloped does not. Both have layers of potatoes or vegetables and a creamy sauce.

Other Keto Cauliflower Recipes to Try

  • Loaded Cauliflower Bites
  • Keto Breakfast Casserole with Bacon, Cauliflower, and Cheese
  • White Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

Love this Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin recipe?  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

Close Up of Finished Recipe
Print

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin is just as creamy and flavorful as Au Gratin Potatoes but with only 6 net carbs per serving. This gluten free side dish is the perfect comfort food!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Pork
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 402kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cauliflower * cut florets into slices about 1/4" thick
  • 4 slices bacon * cooked and crumbled
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese * shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 6 cloves garlic * minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F.
  • Place a layer of the sliced cauliflower florets into the bottom of a medium size baking dish and top with one third of the cheddar cheese and bacon.
  • Cover the cheese and bacon with another row of cauliflower, then another third of the cheese and bacon.
  • Top with one last layer of cauliflower. Set the remaining bacon and cheese aside.
  • Whisk together the heavy cream, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour all of the cream mixture evenly over the top of the cauliflower and cover tightly with foil.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, or until fork tender.
  • Once the cauliflower is tender, remove the foil and add the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon to the top.
  • Return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.

Notes

Tips and Techniques for the Best Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin

  • Cut the cauliflower into thin slices that resemble sliced potatoes and for easier layering.
  • Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Bagged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that don't allow the cheese to melt as nicely and give it a grittier texture.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can try low carb thickeners (I don't care for them), or add 1-2 tablespoons of gluten free or regular flour (if you're not low carb).
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days for best results.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1158IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published August 1, 2017. It was updated with more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in October 2019.

Related Posts

Close up of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice in a white bowl.
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice
Close up of a scoop of broccoli casserole being lifted up with a wood turner.
Keto Broccoli Casserole
Easy garlic chicken breasts in a skillet.
Easy Garlic Chicken + VIDEO
Overhead of a plate of loaded cauliflower bites with a fork.
Loaded Cauliflower Bites
Close up of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl
Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

as seen on


Copyright ©2023, Delicious Little Bites. All Rights Reserved.