Riced cauliflower, loaded with cheese and bacon, is the perfect creamy keto side dish.
CREAMY LOADED RICED CAULIFLOWER
This loaded cauliflower rice is just SO good! This guilt free, made in no time at all side dish is delicious from bite one.
If you think you do not like cauliflower, this recipe might just change your mind! Made from steamed cauliflower, this is a super quick and super delicious, low carb friendly side dish that keeps you on your KETO diet.
And good news – no matter whether you are or are not on a Keto diet, cauliflower “potatoes” are the perfect replacement for mashed potatoes, pasta, or regular white rice to really mix up and flavor a meal.
This recipe is a QUICK 10 minute side dish.
Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone.
Here is what you need to gather to get started:
- steamed cauliflower (riced)
- shredded cheese
- ranch seasoning
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- sour cream
- whole cream
- real bacon bits
RELATED RECIPES: Roasted Cauliflower Recipe, Cauliflower Au Gratin Recipe, Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice Recipe, Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole Recipe, Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
SERVE LOADED CAULIFLOWER WITH: Tuna Casserole Recipe, Alice Springs Chicken Copycat Recipe, Easy Garlic Parmesan Baked Chicken Recipe, Chicken Casserole Recipe, Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe
Watch my Video on How to Make Loaded Rice Cauliflower Below
How to Make Riced Cauliflower with Cheese and Bacon
First measure and steam your cauliflower rice to 6 cups.
Once steamed, dump your cauliflower in a bowl.
Add 2 cups of shredded cheese, 2 tsp of ranch seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 cup of full fat sour cream and 1/4th cup whole cream.
Mix well.
Cooking with Cauliflower
For the longest time, I would buy an entire head of cauliflower, cull it down, steam it and then mashed it up.
Thankfully cauliflower has gained some major market share at the grocery stores, which cuts those steps down.
All you need to do is buy cauliflower already riced, steam it (takes about 3 minutes in the bag) and measure out 6 cups. Most bags of cauliflower already riced are 3 cups, so you typically need 2 bags.
I find mine in the FRESH PRODUCE department, usually on the wall by fresh bagged green beans.
Can you buy Riced Cauliflower frozen?
You can! There is riced cauliflower in the frozen department, just steam before proceeding to step by step recipe.
Loaded Cauliflower Rice {Super Cheesy!}
Ingredients
- 6 cups steamed cauliflower - riced
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp onion
- 1 tsp garlic
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 th cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons real bacon bits
Instructions
- Measure and steam cauliflower rice. Most bagged steam riced cauliflower have directions on the bag to microwave steam.
- In a bowl, dump the steamed and cooked cauliflower rice.
- Now to the cauliflower, add 2 cups of shredded cheese, 2 tsp of ranch seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 cup of full fat sour cream and 1/4th cup heavy cream.
- Mix ingredients super well until cheese and cream are melted and fully incorporated.
- Top with salt and pepper and bacon bits.
- Serve riced cauliflower immediately while hot and melty.
Video
Recipe Notes
- Riced cauliflower goes great as a side dish with chicken, steak or even soup.
- Additionally, using cauliflower as a substitute for regular white rice can be used in recipes like slow cooked olive garden chicken pasta, crockpot Hawaiian chicken or even as the rice in pineapple rice.
Paul says
Girlfriend and I made this tonight and if I could I’d give it 100☆. Made it exactly as the recipe is written. Definitely a do over thanks for sharing.
M freeman says
Oh no!!!! HELP!!! Ihave NO Ranch Seasoning!!! How about a smidge of dry onion soup ?? Or some other option?
Trisha says
hi! We have a ranch dip recipe here, you can pull the spices and make your own!
https://www.saltysidedish.com/ranch-dip-recipe/
Wendy says
How many net carbs per serving?
Trisha says
You are best adding this recipe to an app like CarbManager to get super detailed nutritional information.
Amanda Rothrauff says
Just started Keto and made this and divided into 7 side portions!! Absolutely delicious! Shared recipe with multiple family members!!
Trisha says
Riced cauliflower is one of my favorites too! so glad you enjoyed!
Mary Beth says
Do you think that I could combine this the day before and then warm it up the next day possibly in a Crock-Pot? I have made this before and it is absolutely delicious but I am going to be pressed for time and was hoping I could get it prepped the day before. Thanks for any help
Trisha Haas says
Hi Mary Beth! Let me premise this by saying I have not actually prepped this before and then cooked, so this answer isn’t related to a personal experience. I don’t see any reason why this dish wouldn’t work in a crock pot, prepped the day prior, with the exception that cauliflower can be a bit watery and left at its own devices COULD produce some moisture overnight while it waits and the risk is it becomes a big soggy (The cauliflower). I would honestly have to try it out and see if there are any unexpectedness and I wish I had a definitive answer for you. I can certatinly test this method out next time I make it and update but that wont help you in this case. If you do happen to give it a whirl, id love your feedback.
Mary Beth says
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I will see how things go and let you know if I try it