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