When following a low carb or keto meal plan, side dishes can feel like a challenge. Noodles are out, rice and potatoes - nope. Sometimes I think I've been programmed to expect a starch with every meal. Which is of course what we are avoiding.
Enter cauliflower rice. Does it taste like rice? No, it still tastes like cauliflower. But cauliflower + cheese = delicious! And for the vegetable-leery in your house, cauliflower in riced form is less in-your-face "I'm a vegetable", if you know what I mean.
Plus, when you make it into Cheesy Cauliflower Rice, what you are really doing is blanketing the cauliflower with creamy, cheesy goodness. You barely notice the cauliflower in there. LOL
How to make cheesy cauliflower rice
I'm going to start with the basic recipe, which is the easiest thing ever! I use the Green Giant frozen riced veggie packages for convenience. If you prefer to buy fresh or make your own, that works too. Just make sure you use it pretty soon after buying or making. It gets a little stinky when it starts to go bad...
First, microwave the frozen cauliflower rice for 4 minutes, which is a little shorter than the package directions. In a skillet, melt a little butter then empty the cauliflower into the pan. Stir fry for about a minute. Then, clear an area in the middle of the pan. Add a little more butter, plus milk and cheese. Mix in with the cauliflower until evenly coated.
You can serve the cheesy riced cauliflower as-is, or dress it up with a little sliced green onion, bacon bits, etc.
Low carb/keto friendly and a great side with many meals.
Variations
The basic version is fast and tasty, but it also has a ton of potential for variation. Here are two of my favorites:
Broccoli: start with a cauliflower rice medley, which has a few veggies already in it, like peas, carrots and green onions. Add broccoli to the pan after the cauliflower and stir fry both together to ensure everything is evenly warm. About one cup of chopped broccoli works best.
I have used leftover cooked broccoli as well as cooked from frozen. I chop the broccoli smaller than a floret size, because I want it to be evenly distributed throughout the rice. Then proceed with the sauce ingredients. Cheddar cheese is a good choice for this combination.
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Spinach: either the medley or plain riced cauliflower seem to work with this, probably because I add 2 different veggies: spinach and tomato. I take a handful of grape tomatoes and cut them small, into thirds. I rough chop the spinach so it's not all big and stringy in the mix.
Sometimes I put a little minced garlic in the butter to add some flavor, and a dash of Italian seasoning. Just as in the broccoli example above, I mix the vegetables in and make sure everything is the same temperature before adding the sauce ingredients. I use Parmesan cheese for this version.
No matter which variation you make, you will love having this easy cheesy keto side dish available for last minute additions to the menu!
Craving more cheese? Try some gorgonzola baked leeks for another creamy and delicious side dish.
📖 Recipe
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Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
Video
Ingredients
- 10 oz riced cauliflower Frozen
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup milk or cream
- ½ cup shredded cheese - 3 cheese Mexican or Cheddar blend
Instructions
- Cook the riced cauliflower in the microwave for 4 minutes on high.
- Heat one tablespoon butter in a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Add the cooked cauliflower and fry for a minute or two.
- Clear a space in the middle of the skillet and add the second tablespoon of butter. Add the milk. Sprinkle the cheese around the pan on the cauliflower, then begin to mix all ingredients together. Mix for a minute to ensure the cheese is evenly distributed.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
chris
I am usually not a fan of regular cooked cauliflower but have learned to love riced and mashed cauliflower. I was looking for a healthy verion with a few more veggies and so glad I found these versions. I am going to make the spinach tomato one tomorrow night. Thanks
Sula
I'm so glad you found me Chris. Once you try these, you might even come up with your own versions!
Sue
Cauliflower is truly the most amazing vegetable, I've used it in so many ways, but never made cauliflower rice like this ~ my mouth is watering just thinking about it 🙂
Sula
I'm a cauliflower fan also!
Jen
I love this healthier alternative for dinner. It's so creamy and cheesy! So delicious!
Sula
Yes, and is anything better than creamy and cheesy? I think NOT! LOL
Kate
What a great idea, this is totally my kinda food - I love cauliflower cheese and this turns it into a whole meal in itself. Love the variations too. Thanks for sharing!
Sula
You're welcome, there are truly so many ways you can customize this!
Jessica Formicola
Oh man, this is such a great way to add more veggies to my diet! I can't wait to try it out!
Sula
Yes! I love the version with broccoli - so good!
Jess
This reminds me of a dish my mom always made growing up. I have been trying to find one like it to recreate it and now I have. Thank you!
Sula
You're welcome, I hope you try it soon!
Natalie
Lovely recipe and delicious way to prepare cauliflower. I will put this on my list to make this week. My family will like this, I'm sure.
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Emily Flint
I made the tomato and spinach version and it was SO good!! I even got my son to try some so kudos to that! This cauliflower rice recipe will definitely be made many more times in my house this fall.
Sula
It's a staple in my house for sure! Anything the kids will accept gets into the regular rotation!
Angela
I tried once to make cauliflower rice, something was missing...yesterday I tried your recipe and it was delicious! Sophisticated and healthy! Thanks for the recipe
Sula
You're welcome, thanks for trying it. I'm so glad you like it!
Big Trouble
I love how simple and healthy this is! I've never heard of cauliflower rice before either. It will be cool to try! Thanks for another amazing recipe, Sula!
Sula
You are so welcome. I hope you try it soon!
Vincit Omnia
Great combination. Thanks!
Sula
You are so welcome, I'm glad you like it!
Blake Moon
This looks so good!
Sula
It is - I hope you try it soon!