Sneak more veggies into your comfort food with this Cauliflower Casserole with Mozzarella Cheese! Layers of steamed cauliflower, mozzarella, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs are all baked together in under 40 minutes. In the end, you’ll have one of the cheesiest and comforting side dishes ever!
Mozzarella cauliflower casserole
Looking for a fun and tasty way to sneak some extra veggies into your meals? Then you have to try this rich and cheesy Cauliflower Casserole with Mozzarella Cheese! Naturally vegetarian and easy to make keto and gluten free, this mix-and-bake casserole is sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
Just like my cheesy cauliflower casserole and cheddar cheese cauliflower casserole, the best part of this mozzarella cauliflower casserole are the layers of baked cheese and vegetables. Even though it’s packed with healthy stuff, the kids will still go crazy for it!
You can always turn to this casserole when you’re looking for something quick and easy for dinner. Easily prepare it ahead of time and store it in the fridge overnight or keep it in the freezer for months. It’s there and ready to bake in a pinch!
How to make a cauliflower casserole with mozzarella cheese
This cheesy cauliflower recipe is quick, easy, and comes together in one dish. Perfect as a vegetarian meal or cheesy side dish, you can whip it up in just 4 simple steps:
Boil (or steam) the cauliflower florets until fork tender. Drain and place into a casserole baking dish.
Combine the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and half and half.
Pour the mozzarella mixture over the cauliflower in the casserole dish and toss to coat.
Sprinkle a bit of extra mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs over the top before baking until golden brown. Let it cool slightly before serving and enjoying!
Recipe tips and variations
- Instead of cauliflower – Make this easy cauliflower casserole with any steamed vegetable you like. Either replace the cauliflower or try adding broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans, or zucchini.
- Not a fan of mozzarella cheese? Try swapping it out for American, cheddar, provolone, or your favorite melty cheese.
- Fresh or frozen cauliflower? You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower in this recipe. Fresh cauliflower must be steamed first and frozen cauliflower should be thawed before it’s added to the casserole dish (no steaming needed).
- Gluten free – Replace the breadcrumbs with gluten free breadcrumbs or omit them completely.
- Looking to add some extra protein? Mix in pre-cooked and shredded chicken or turkey, leftover rotisserie chicken, sausage, diced ham, bacon, or ground beef to this casserole.
Frequently asked questions
What else can I use instead of half and half?
Here’s my favorite 2 substitutions for half and half:
1) You can use 1/2 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup heavy or light cream.
2) You can use 3/4 cup whole milk + 1 tablespoon butter.
(btw you can freeze half and half leftovers!)
Can you make mozzarella cauliflower casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This cauliflower casserole can be assembled in the dish without the breadcrumbs, wrapped in plastic, and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply pop the chilled and prepped casserole in the oven and bake as normal.
Can you freeze it?
You can easily freeze the uncooked or leftover mozzarella cauliflower casserole for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just be sure to thaw it before baking or reheating in the oven.
Is this cauliflower casserole keto-friendly or low carb?
Simply omit the breadcrumb topping to make this casserole keto and low carb.
What goes well with mozzarella cauliflower casserole?
This cheesy cauliflower casserole can be served on its own or paired as a nutritious side next to more comfort food, like baked kale meatballs, burgers in the oven, or vegetable pot pie.
Hungry for more comforting casserole recipes?
- Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Taco Enchilada Casserole
- Cheesy Eggplant Casserole
- French Fry Casserole
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Stuffing
Pin for later:
Cauliflower Casserole with Mozzarella Cheese
PrintIngredients
- 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
- 8 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add cauliflower and boil until cauliflower is slightly tender, about 5-10 minutes. Drain cauliflower and place in a 8×8 baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together mozzarella cheese (except save 2 tablespoons for the topping!), Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and half and half.
- Pour mixture on top of cauliflower and mix to completely coat. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Serve and enjoy!
Sharda Singh says
Simple and tasty
a Dad says
Didn’t have half and half so I mixed 1/4 cup french onion dip with 1/2 cup milk. Also mixed in a few tablespoons of a leftover bacon chive and cream cheese mixture we had. Everyone loved it. Even my son that hates vegetables.
CHRISTIANE says
For a side dish how approcx. how many serving sizes ill that be
Pamela says
As a side dish, 6 servings. Enjoy!
Bam's Kitchen says
I know this is one of your older posts but I am planning on making this for dinner tonight. A great way to get your kids to eat more veggies is to top with cheese, right?
Pamela says
Hahaha, I totally agree!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
Bring on alllllll da cheeeeeese please! This casserole looks unreal and I’m loving your cauliflower addiction heeeck yes.
Also, your cats are my fav. I can imagine how cute they are trying to catch the fly hehe Peter does that allll.the.time lol
Kelly says
Hehe, too cute, our family cats and dogs used to do the same thing – I would love to see that video 🙂 Love this cauliflower casserole! It looks amazing with all that cheesy goodness!
Anna Johnston says
Haha… I was watching my cat chase a fly on the weekend, its hilarious.
Love your cauliflower dish Pamela. They are in season and super cheap at the mo, my fridge is over flowing with yummy cauli goodness. 🙂 This will be happening asap in my kitch!
marcie says
Pamela, this looks like some of the best cauliflower I’ve ever seen! I love cauliflower, so this needs to happen in my kitchen soon!
Lidia says
Oh Pamela! This looks scrumptiously comforting! xox
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Beautiful! I bet this would be wonderful with a slice of bacon (or 10).
Pamela says
I think everything is better with a slice of bacon (or 10). hehehehe. Enjoy Helen!
Emma | Fork and Good says
OH YEAH. That looks amazing. All I want is to dig a fork into that. Bet it’s crunchy on top, the best ones usually are!
Koko says
Pleeeease get a video of that!!
Cauliflower and cheese is a match made in heaven!!!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Yes, I like your logic! Cauliflower by itself is doing our bodies a disservice, thus we must add cheese! Heck yes! I’ve got some cauliflower in the fridge and I always have a ton of cheese on hand (I mean, seriously, who doesn’t? It’s essential.) so I see this casserole in my near future!
Kristy @ She Eats says
Pamela! I love love LURB cauliflower – it’s probably (it just took me 4 tries to type probably correctly) my favourite vegetable of all time. Yep. It definitely is. And now you covered it in cheese? Be still my beating heart…. Gimme some.
Archana @ the perfect zest says
I totally agree with your calorie math – negative calories for cauliflower plus cheese calories = nothing!
I need to try something like this – I’m a bit bored with my cauliflower recipe
Alex says
Beautiful!
meemsnyc says
I love cauliflower and this looks so amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
PassTheKnife says
Looks like a mac and cheese casserole, but much healthier! Way to go!
cheri says
Love this casserole dish, cauliflower is so good roasted and baked.
Annie @Maebells says
Okay I never cook with cauliflower, I like it, I just never think of it. But that is totally going to change! Love all of this cheesy goodness!
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
This is my favorite way to eat veggies — covered in cheese! Mmmm. Chester will chase after anything that moves (including bats, he’s caught those), but Peter is a little more selective and always holds out until he sees a spider.
Mary Frances says
All that cheesy goodness.
Wow.
Pass me the pan por favor!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
My dog chases flies too – she will sit quietly when she sees one and follows it around – and totally freaks me out the whole time!
I love cauliflower – and this is yet another scrumdiliumptious way to devour it – though I might have to hold off on the cheese as even though my tastebuds love it – my stomach doesn’t!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I love cauliflower too! I would like a giant plate of this casserole for lunch right now.
Stephanie says
MY body definitely needs cheese to function! I haven’t put cheese on cauliflower for sooo long.. I need to change that
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Such a perfect side dish! Cheese and cauliflower are perfect mates.
[email protected] says
A cauliflower casserole with cheese? I’m in!
Christine at Cook the Story says
What a great way to jazz up an otherwise boring veggie!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
That is seriously yummy in my tummy!