Ingredients
4 oz. Appleton Farms Hickory Bacon
1 head cauliflower
3 Tbsp Countryside Creamery Salted Butter
3 Tbsp Baker's Corner All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Simply Nature Organic Whole Milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Simply Nature Organic Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Stonemill Black Pepper
6 oz. Emporium Selection Vintage Cheddar, shredded
2 oz. Happy Farms Mild Cheddar, shredded
1/4 cup Chef's Cupboard French Fried Onions
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the grease in the pan and let it drain on a paper towel lined plate while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Remove the leaves and stem from the cauliflower, then cut it into small florets. Add the cauliflower florets to a pot and cover with water. Place a lid on the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Let the cauliflower boil for about 5 minutes, or until it is fork tender. Drain the cauliflower well in a colander.
While the cauliflower is draining, prepare the cheese sauce. Add the butter and flour to a sauce pot. Melt the butter over medium heat, then continue to cook and stir the flour and butter for about two minutes more.
Whisk the milk into the flour and butter until it is fully dissolved, and no lumps remain. Continue to heat and stir over medium until the milk reaches a gentle simmer, at which point it will thicken to the consistency of heavy cream.
Season the white sauce with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove the sauce from the heat, then begin adding the shredded vintage cheddar, one handful at a time, making sure it has fully melted in before adding the next handful. If the sauce becomes too cold to melt the cheese, place it over low heat only until all the cheese has melted into the sauce.
Place the boiled and drained cauliflower in a 2-quart casserole dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, making sure it is fully covered. Top with the remaining 2 oz. shredded mild cheddar and the French Fried onions.
Bake the cauliflower for only ten minutes, then switch the oven from bake to broil and broil for 3-5 minutes, or just until the top is slightly browned (broiling is optional). Do not over bake the casserole, or the cheese sauce will split.
Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the cooked bacon and sliced green onions. Serve hot.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Appleton Farms Hickory Bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that perfectly contrasts the creamy cheese sauce — cook it until truly crisp for the best texture on top of the finished casserole.
- Emporium Selection Vintage Cheddar is the star of the sauce; its sharp, aged flavor melts into an intensely savory béchamel that elevates the dish far beyond a standard cheese sauce.
- Chef's Cupboard French Fried Onions provide an irresistible crispy topping — add them just before baking to keep them crunchy and golden under the broiler.
- Countryside Creamery Salted Butter combined with Baker's Corner All-Purpose Flour forms the classic roux base, giving the cheese sauce its luxurious, lump-free body.
- Simply Nature Organic Whole Milk ensures a rich, creamy sauce — avoid low-fat alternatives as they can cause the sauce to become thin or split during baking.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K, and provides a low-carbohydrate base that makes this casserole a smart swap for potato-based dishes.
- The vintage and mild cheddar combination delivers a significant dose of calcium and protein per serving, supporting bone health and satiety.
- Bacon contributes sodium and saturated fat, so those monitoring heart health may wish to reduce the portion or use a lower-sodium turkey bacon alternative.
- Whole milk adds natural sugars (lactose) and fat-soluble vitamins A and D, contributing to the creamy texture and nutritional profile of the cheese sauce.
- Green onions provide a fresh burst of vitamin K and folate with minimal calories, adding both color and nutritional value as a finishing garnish.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories420
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat30 g72 g41.67%
- Saturated Fat17 g20 g85%
- Trans Fat0.5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat8 g
- Cholesterol85 mg300 mg28.33%
- Sodium680 mg2300 mg29.57%
- Total Carbohydrate16 g275 g5.82%
- Dietary Fiber3 g28 g10.71%
- Total Sugars6 g
- Added Sugars0 g50 g0%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein21 g50 g42%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)54 mcg20 mcg270%
- Calcium420 mg1300 mg32.31%
- Iron1.2 mg18 mg6.67%
- Potassium520 mg4700 mg11.06%
- Vitamin A620 mcg900 mcg68.89%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)48 mg90 mg53.33%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1.2 mg15 mg8%
- Vitamin K28 mcg120 mcg23.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.1 mg1.2 mg8.33%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.3 mg1.3 mg23.08%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)2.1 mg16 mg13.13%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.3 mg1.7 mg17.65%
- Folate62 mcg400 mcg15.5%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.7 mcg2.4 mcg29.17%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.9 mg5 mg18%
- Choline68 mg550 mg12.36%
- Phosphorus380 mg1250 mg30.4%
- Iodine38 mcg150 mcg25.33%
- Magnesium32 mg420 mg7.62%
- Zinc2.1 mg11 mg19.09%
- Selenium14 mcg55 mcg25.45%
- Copper0.1 mg0.9 mg11.11%
- Manganese0.3 mg2.3 mg13.04%
- Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
- Molybdenum8 mcg45 mcg17.78%
- Chloride420 mg2300 mg18.26%
