Description
A creamy and cheesy keto-friendly Cauliflower Au Gratin featuring layers of tender cauliflower, Swiss Gruyere cheese, and green onions baked to golden perfection in a rich heavy cream sauce. This low-carb dish makes a perfect comforting side or main, bursting with savory flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 head cauliflower (or 4 cups), cut into thin slices
- 4 green onions, sliced
Dairy
- 2 cups Swiss Gruyere cheese, shredded (or just Swiss cheese)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray an 8×10 inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cauliflower Layers: Slice the cauliflower into thin slices. Arrange about half of the slices evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the first layer.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Sprinkle half of the shredded Gruyere cheese over the first cauliflower layer. Evenly scatter the sliced green onions on top of the cheese. Season lightly with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add Remaining Cauliflower: Place the remaining cauliflower slices in an even layer on top of the cheese and onions.
- Pour Cream and Add Cheese Topping: Pour the heavy cream evenly over the entire dish, ensuring it seeps through the layers. Top with the remaining Gruyere cheese to cover the surface.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cauliflower to cook through.
- Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 40 minutes, or until the cauliflower is fork tender and the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the Au Gratin sit for 5 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken and set slightly before serving.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- The nutritional information per serving is approximately: 280 calories, 24g fat, 3.6g carbohydrates, 1.8g fiber, and 9.4g protein—net carbs of 1.8g per serving.
- Gruyere cheese creates a rich and creamy sauce when combined with heavy cream; Swiss cheese alone can be substituted if Gruyere is unavailable.
- Sharp cheddar cheese is an alternative option for a different flavor profile, though Gruyere/Swiss is preferred.
- If you find the dish too soupy, using 1 cup of heavy cream instead of 1 ½ cups still works well.
- Use at least an 8×10 inch baking dish for best results; smaller dishes may affect cooking times and sauce consistency.
- Using half and half or frozen cauliflower can add extra water content, potentially altering sauce texture but not flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
