🔥 Golden, bubbly, and loaded with flavor! 🧀🍽️
Tender cauliflower, flavorful ground meat, spiced rice, and loads of melted cheese—all baked to golden perfection.
This creamy, cheesy cauliflower casserole is the perfect dish for a cozy family dinner or a holiday gathering. It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress.
Let’s get cooking!
🏆 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor – A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
✔ Simple ingredients, BIG taste – No complicated steps, just comforting goodness.
✔ Make-ahead friendly – Perfect for meal prep or special occasions.
✔ Vegetable-packed – Cauliflower never tasted this good!
✔ Great for leftovers – Even better the next day!
🍽️ Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
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1 head of cauliflower
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500 g (1.1 lbs) ground pork
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2 medium onions, finely chopped
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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160 g (0.8 cups) rice
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600 ml (2.5 cups) sour cream
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500 g (1.1 lbs) shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
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A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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1.5 tbsp sweet paprika
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1 bay leaf
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Cauliflower
- Cut the cauliflower into florets.
- Boil in lightly salted water for 10 minutes until tender.
- Drain well and set aside—don’t rinse!
2️⃣ Cook the Rice
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a pot.
- Add the rice and toast it until lightly golden.
- Pour in twice the amount of water as rice.
- Season with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 bay leaf, and chopped parsley.
- Cover and cook until the water is fully absorbed.
3️⃣ Make the Savory Meat Filling
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan.
- Sauté onions until softened, then add garlic.
- Stir in ground pork and cook until lightly browned.
- Season with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika.
- Pour in 200 ml water, cover, and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates.
4️⃣ Combine the Meat & Rice
- Mix the cooked rice with the seasoned meat mixture.
- Taste & adjust seasoning as needed.
- Cook everything together for another 10 minutes.
5️⃣ Assemble the Casserole
- In a greased baking dish, layer as follows:
- ✅ 1st layer: Cauliflower, sour cream, meat-rice mixture, shredded cheese.
- ✅ 2nd layer: Remaining cauliflower, sour cream, and the rest of the shredded cheese.
6️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted & golden brown.
7️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
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Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing—it holds together better!
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Dig in while it’s warm and gooey! 😍
🍽️ Best Ways to Serve This Casserole
✅ With a crisp green salad – A fresh contrast to the creamy, cheesy goodness. 🥗
✅ With garlic bread – Because extra carbs = extra happiness. 🥖
✅ With a dollop of extra sour cream – If you love it extra creamy! 😋
🔎 Pro Tips & Variations
🔹 Want more flavor? Try adding grated Parmesan to the cheese mix.
🔹 Make it vegetarian! Swap the meat for mushrooms, spinach, or lentils.
🔹 Love spice? Add a pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika.
🔹 No pork? Use ground turkey or beef instead.
🔹 Meal prep friendly! This dish reheats beautifully the next day.
❓ Poll: What’s Your Favorite Type of Casserole?
🧀 Cheesy & creamy – Give me all the melted cheese!
🥦 Veggie-packed – More greens, please!
🍖 Meat-filled – I love a hearty, protein-packed meal!
🔥 Spicy & bold – A little heat never hurts!
(Vote in the comments below!)
🔥 Final Thoughts
This Cheesy & Creamy Cauliflower Casserole is comfort food done right. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, holiday feast, or just because you love cheese, this dish is always a winner!
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