Name: Slow Cooker Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium head cauliflower (or 1 very large head) cut into florets - approximately 6 cups; 10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup (1 can); 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded) and a little bit extra to serve on the side; 1 cup sour cream; 3 garlic cloves- minced; 6 strips cooked bacon crumbles - approximately 6 tablespoons; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 3 -4 green onions (thinly sliced) - optional topping; Non stick cooking spray

Jump to Recipe

Enjoy a comforting and flavorful dish with this slow cooker casserole easy recipe. With tender cauliflower florets, a creamy sauce, crumbled bacon, and lots of cheese, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food!

There is a gray bowl with pieces of cauliflower, melted cheese, pieces of bacon mixed together. There is shredded cheese and slices of green onion on top. There is a dark spoon handle resting inside the bowl . The bowl is on a dark gray surface.

The best part is that it is so easy to make in a slow cooker, which makes this cheesy cauliflower casserole the perfect fuss free dish for busy weeknights dinners or a gathering with friends and family.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours + 15 minutes
Servings: 10 to 12
Prep Level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Versatility – This casserole is versatile and can be customized to please different taste preferences. It can be an easy flavor-filled side dish or served as a main dish.
Convenience – Using a slow cooker makes this dish very fuss free. You simply add all the ingredients, set the time and temperature. Perfect for busy weeknights dinners or a gathering with friends and family.
A healthier option – Cauliflower is high in fiber and vitamin C. It’s lower in calories than a loaded baked potato while still having wonder flavor and texture.
Crowd-pleaser – This creamy cheese casserole is loved by many people. It’s the perfect dish next time you have a potluck dinner and a delicious addition to your holiday table!

Ingredient Notes

There is a head of cauliflower, four white bowls, one has shredded cheddar cheese in it, one has cheese soup in it, one has sour cream in it and the last one has crumbled cooked bacon in it. There is a light wood cylinder with salt in it. There is a clear ramekin with ground pepper in it. There is also 3 cloves of garlic and 3 green onion stalks. Items are on a dark gray surface.

Key Ingredients

Cauliflower: I love fresh cauliflower any time I can. For convenience purposes, frozen cauliflower florets can be used.
Cheddar soup: This is what gives the casserole it’s cheesy goodness! If you have condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken in your pantry, you can definitely substitute it for the cheddar soup.
Sharp cheddar cheese: I like the convenience of the pre shredded packages that grocery stores carry however, freshly shredded cheese is always delicious! Other popular cheeses used in this yummy dish are Mozzarella and Pepper Jack.
Sour cream: There are cauliflower casseroles that call for cream cheese or heavy cream which are perfectly fine. I just love the tang that sour cream adds to the dish.

Seasonings

Minced garlic cloves: Fresh or jarred is best. Garlic powder is pretty easy to substitute it for fresh cloves. Just a reminder, one clove of garlic equals about 1/8 of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
Sea salt: Any salt that doesn’t contain iodine is best.
Black pepper: Pepper adds a little depth and spice to food.

Optional Toppings

Shredded cheese
Sliced green onions
French fried onions
Bacon bits
Buffalo sauce
Bread crumbs – After slow cooking, put in a casserole dish under a broiler with bread crumbs and butter for a crispy crunchy topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A pot filled with cauliflower in a slow cooker.

The ingredients loaded cauliflower casserole bacon in a bowl.

Cut the cauliflower heads into florets. (see below)
Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with non stick cooking spray and place the cauliflower florets in it.
Pour the cheddar soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, bacon bits, salt, and pepper into a large bowl.

A bowl of a cheese sauce mixture with a wooden spoon.

A pot of cheese sauce and cauliflower in a slow cooker.

Stir well until throughly combined.
Pour the cheese mixture over the cauliflower florets in the slow cooker making sure they are evenly covered.
Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours.

There is a large white bowl with cauliflower pieces, melted cheese, and bacon bits in it. There are sliced green onions on top it. There is a dark spoon handle resting inside the bowl. The bowl is on a dark gray surface.

Once cooked, gently stir the cauliflower casserole to mix the yummy cheese sauce and cauliflower evenly.
Serve hot topped with a little shredded cheese and sliced green onions.

See recipe card below for complete details.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Use full-fat dairy – sour cream and shredded cheese with a little richness melt better and give the casserole a creamy, indulgent texture.
Layer cheese – Stir into the cauliflower mixture but save a handful for the top so you get that gooey, melty finish.
Keep it covered – Avoid lifting the lid often, since trapped steam helps the casserole stay moist and creamy.
Don’t overcook – Check around the 3-hour mark on LOW. Cauliflower can turn mushy if it cooks too long.

Reheating

The best way to reheat cauliflower casserole is in the oven. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place the cauliflower in a casserole dish, cover with aluminum foil, and reheat until warm.

There is a small white plate with a scoop of cauliflower pieces mixed with bacon bits and melted cheese. There are sliced green onions on top of the cauliflower mixture. There is a fork laying next to the plate. In the background there is a large white bowl with the same cauliflower cheese mixture in it. There is also two small whit bowls in the background. One has shredded cheddar cheese, the other has sliced green onions in it. Items are on a dark gray surface.

More Must Try Easy Casseroles

Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole With Sour Cream – Kids love this casserole!
Corn Casserole With Green Chilies And Cream Cheese
Broccoli Cheese Casserole Better Than Cheddars
Easy Hatch Green Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe – Talk about a great Tex-Mex dish! Yum!!
Easy Company Chicken Casserole With Wine Sauce

How to Cut A Head Of Cauliflower

You first start by removing the outer leaves of the cauliflower head. Rinse under running water and pat dry. Next, you cut the head in half vertically and then slice into smaller florets. For complete details, check out How to Cut and Core Cauliflower from Simply Recipes.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Slow Cooker Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

Enjoy a comforting and flavorful dish with this slow cooker casserole easy recipe.

With tender cauliflower florets, a creamy sauce, crumbled bacon, and lots of cheese, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 medium head cauliflower (or 1 very large head) cut into florets – approximately 6 cups
10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup (1 can)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded) and a little bit extra to serve on the side
1 cup sour cream
3 garlic cloves- minced
6 strips cooked bacon crumbles – approximately 6 tablespoons
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 -4 green onions (thinly sliced) – optional topping
Non stick cooking spray

Instructions

Prepare the cauliflower by removing the outer leaves of the cauliflower.

Rinse the cauliflower head under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Cut the head in half vertically and carefully slice it into smaller florets. (see FAQ’s)

Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with non stick cooking spray. Place the cauliflower florets in the slow cooker.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheddar soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, bacon bits, salt, and pepper. Stir well until throughly combined.
Pour the cheese mixture over the cauliflower florets in the slow cooker making sure they are evenly covered.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours. The cooking time may vary, so start to check cauliflower after 3 hours for tenderness and adjust time accordingly.
Once cooked, gently stir the cauliflower casserole to mix the yummy cheese sauce and cauliflower evenly.
Serve hot topped with a little shredded cheese and sliced green onions.

Notes

Equipment And Helpful Tools

Slow cooker / crock pot – 6 quart

Large mixing bowl

Wooden spoon

Cutting board

Large sharp kitchen knife

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Paper towels

Let's Talk Ingredients – Variations and Substitutions

Key Ingredients

Cauliflower – I love fresh cauliflower any time I can. For convenience purposes, frozen cauliflower florets can be used.

Cheddar soup – This is what gives the casserole it's cheesy goodness! If you have condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken in your pantry, you can definitely substitute it for the cheddar soup.

Sharp cheddar cheese – I like the convenience of the pre shredded packages that grocery stores carry however, freshly shredded cheese is always delicious! Other popular cheeses used in this yummy dish are Mozzarella and Pepper Jack.

Sour cream – There are cauliflower casseroles that call for cream cheese or heavy cream which are perfectly fine. I just love the tang that sour cream adds to the dish.

Seasonings

Minced garlic cloves – Fresh or jarred is best. Garlic powder is pretty easy to substitute it for fresh cloves. Just a reminder, one clove of garlic equals about 1/8 of a teaspoon of garlic powder.

Sea salt – Any salt that doesn't contain iodine is best.

Black pepper – Pepper adds a little depth and spice to food.

Slow Cooker Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

What You’ll Love