Looking for an easy, guilt-free side dish that satisfies your cravings while sticking to your Keto diet? This Keto Cheesy Cauliflower Rice recipe is the answer! It's a delicious and comforting alternative to mac and cheese, packed with cheesy goodness and surprisingly easy to make. Even picky eaters who despise cauliflower might enjoy this dish.
Why Cauliflower Rice?
Cauliflower rice is a fantastic low-carb alternative to traditional rice, making it perfect for those following a Keto or low-carb diet. It's also a healthy choice, offering valuable nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and iron, and it's an antioxidant.
The Magic of Cheese
The generous amount of cheese in this recipe makes it hard to believe you're eating cauliflower. The cheese sauce is creamy, rich, and decadent, thanks to cheddar and cream cheese. This dish is so good that you might even wonder if it's okay to eat it while dieting!
Adaptable and Customizable
This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust it to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
Ingredients
The basic recipe requires just a few simple ingredients:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Cauliflower Rice: You can use frozen cauliflower rice to save time or make your own from a head of cauliflower.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor. Olive oil can be used as a substitute.
- Cheese: A combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese works well, but you can experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella or a Mexican blend. Make sure to shred your own cheese, as pre-shredded cheese contains added ingredients that are not low carb.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and richness to the sauce. Softened cream cheese is recommended to avoid lumps.
- Sour Cream: This is what makes this recipe stand apart from others.
- Mayo: You need full-fat real mayonnaise for this recipe.
- Milk: Use your favorite milk, cream, coconut milk, or nondairy creamer. Unsweetened varieties are recommended. Heavy cream can also be used.
- Seasonings: Garlic salt, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this easy Keto Cheesy Cauliflower Rice:
- Prepare the Cauliflower Rice: If using frozen cauliflower rice, thaw and drain it. If using a head of cauliflower, rice it using a food processor or a food chopper.
- Sauté the Cauliflower Rice: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the riced cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender and less white. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You can add garlic and onions for extra flavor. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Turn down the heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayo, milk and seasonings until everything is melted and well combined.
- Serve: Top with a few green onions, extra cheese, or bacon crumbles for added flavor.
Tips and Variations
- Boost the Flavor: Sauté the cauliflower rice to boost the flavor. Sauté the garlic and onion in butter before adding the cauliflower rice to extract more flavor. Add everything bagel seasoning, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Make it a Casserole: For a casserole-style dish, use mashed cauliflower instead of riced cauliflower. Put it all in a casserole dish and bake until bubbly and golden brown.
- Add More Vegetables: Stir in fresh or frozen peas, roasted broccoli, or corn. You can also try other types of riced vegetables.
- Add Protein: Add your favorite protein source, such as baked tofu, black beans, leftover meat, or bacon.
- Make it Loaded: Add bacon crumbles or real bacon bits, sliced green onions or scallions, and top with pork rind crumbs browned in butter.
- Make it Saucy: Add heavy cream or chicken broth to thin the cheese sauce.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use your favorite dairy-free milk, cheese, and butter substitutes.
- Microwave Method: Place riced cauliflower in a covered microwavable dish and cook on high power for five minutes in the microwave. Add in cheese and stir until it's melted. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
This Keto Cheesy Cauliflower Rice is a versatile side dish that pairs well with many main courses. Here are a few ideas:
- Keto Chicken Thighs
- Keto Mississippi Pot Roast
- Keto Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Keto Pulled Pork
- Beer Can Chicken
- Briny Pulled Pork
- Stir Fry
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can prepare this dish in advance. After it's cooled down, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and reheat until warmed through, or heat in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. However, each serving is approximately 3 grams of net carbs.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
tags: #keto #cheesy #cauliflower #rice #recipe