Keto Cauliflower Gratin

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published January 10, 2021 • Updated June 2, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Unbelievably creamy and cheesy, this keto cauliflower gratin will be the most requested side dish at your table. It's hard to believe the main ingredient is cauliflower!

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Keto Cauliflower Gratin

4.8 (5) Prep 10m Cook 25m Total 35m 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cauliflower florets
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons almond flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded gruyere cheese
  • 6 slices of bacon, crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

red 375 on a black background
2
Steam cauliflower

Steam cauliflower florets in a large pot with salted water until fork tender.

cauliflower florets in a steamer basket
3
Squeeze out moisture

Remove florets and place in between two layers of paper towels or clean towels. Gently press the excess moisture out of the florets. Set aside.

using paper towels to squeeze moisture out of cauliflower
4
Melt butter

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in almond flour and cook for 30 seconds.

butter simmer in a saucepan
5
Make the sauce

Slowly whisk in heavy cream. Add salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper. Bring to boil, then reduce to a simmer until thick (about 5-7 minutes).

whisking cream sauce
6
Of course, add cheese

Remove from heat and stir in cheeses, bacon and thyme.

creamy, cheesey sauce in a saucepan with a whisk
7
Bake it

Add half the cheese mixture to the bottom of a cast iron skillet or casserole dish. Add florets on top of the first cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over the top of florets. Sprinkle with additional cheese and thyme. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

shredded cheese and thyme on top of a casserole
Nutrition Per Serving
351 Calories
33.4g Fat
11.8g Protein
2.7g Net Carbs
4.4g Total Carbs
6 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Keto Cauliflower Gratin

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cauliflower instead of fresh florets?

Yes! Thaw and drain it really well first. Extra moisture is the enemy of a creamy gratin, so squeeze it dry in paper towels before adding it.

What can I substitute for heavy cream to make this dish lighter?

Half-and-half works, but the sauce won't be quite as thick and creamy. I'd stick with heavy cream for the best texture.

How can I store leftovers of the keto cauliflower gratin?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes so the cheese gets bubbly again.

Can I make this gratin dairy-free?

Coconut cream works as a swap for heavy cream, and dairy-free cheese shreds will melt into the sauce. The flavor will be different, but it still works.

What can I use instead of almond flour if I have a nut allergy?

Coconut flour works, but use about a quarter of the amount since it absorbs way more liquid. So if the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of almond flour, use about 1.5 teaspoons of coconut flour.

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spooning out cheesy gratin

If you are looking for keto side dish recipes for this holiday season, potluck or just something delicious to serve with dinner, this cauliflower gratin is your recipe! It’s creamy and cheesy and hard to believe the main ingredient is cauliflower. This one actually tastes incredible and covers any strange cauliflower smell or taste.

Butter and two types of cheeses – sharp cheddar and gruyere – make up this cheesy low-carb side. It’s the easiest way to turn a vegetable into a rockstar dish.

holiday side dishes on a white wooden table

Benefits of Cauliflower on the Keto Diet

Cauliflower is a staple on a low carb diet. It’s so versatile – you can turn it into rice, soup and tater tots! There are only 3 net carbs in 100 grams of cauliflower.

Not only is cauliflower low in carbs and high in fiber, but it also has lots of antioxidants and choline.

steamed cauliflower in a basket

Getting the Moisture Out of the Cauliflower

You want to make sure you get as much moisture out of the steamed cauliflower as you can. Extra moisture in this dish will make the gratin soupy instead of creamy. The easiest way to squeeze out the excess water is to place the florets in between a thick layer of paper towels or a clean cloth. Then press the moisture out. Continue layering paper towels or dry cloths until the moisture is out.
creamy cauliflower gratin in a white casserole dish

Best Cheeses for Gratin

In this recipe, you can add your favorite cheeses. I like to use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and gruyere cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese adds a lot of flavor. It is pungent and earthy. While the gruyere is nutty. It is smooth cheese so it melts easy. It is similar to swiss cheese.
About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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  1. L
    Lawonica Jun 25, 2023

    This recipe was perfect! I cooked a head of cauliflower for 2 minutes in my instapot. I am excited to try more recipes!!😊

  2. S
    Susan Feb 23, 2022

    This recipe is delicious! The whole family loved it. I roasted the cauliflower instead of steaming to avoid issues with moisture. It was perfect.

    1. L
      LaVerne Mar 31, 2024

      How long did you roast it?

  3. G
    Geraldine Glover Nov 21, 2021

    How far ahead do you make this recipe? Do you bake it and leave it in the refrigerator and then bake in oven again to heat it up when you want to serve it?

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Nov 24, 2021

      I didn't bake it. I assembled it the day before and baked it the of. You can probably assemble it 1-2 days ahead of time

  4. B
    Bill Nov 14, 2021

    What size casserole dish do you use? I will need to double the recipe for Thanksgiving so want to use a large enough dish. Thanks!

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Nov 16, 2021

      It was a bit smaller than an 8x10 dish. So double the recipe and use an 8x10 or 9x13 casserole dish

  5. L
    Laurinda Nov 13, 2021

    H-E-B ? And your recipes sound delicious! Definitely gonna try some this thanksgiving.

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Nov 14, 2021

      Hi Laurinda! Let me recommend https://www.ketofocus.com/recipes/keto-pumpkin-pie/ and https://www.ketofocus.com/recipes/keto-chaffle-stuffing/..

      Lastly, if search for "Thanksgiving" I have a ton of options!

  6. B
    Betsy Dobrick Apr 11, 2021

    This sounds perfect for my keto diet but even for company. I think it could be used for broccoli too, don't you think? I am hoping to try it soon. Loved the video about 10 things to keep in your fridge, never knew about macadamia milk and will try that. Thanks I ve just suscribed.

  7. K
    Kim Malupo Apr 4, 2021

    Made this today. It is very good, but way too powerful. I went back and added another pound of califlower and mixed it all up again and it was a much better balance. Also, it was too salty. Next time I would leave the salt out completely. Between the butter, bacon and cheese, it is salty enough. With that said it was delicious and so filling. It kept me full and not eating a bunch of other junk for hours. The guyere and thyme makes this so great.

  8. A
    Amanda Jan 14, 2021

    This looks yummy. Do you think this could be made dairy free ?

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Jan 14, 2021

      You could use nut milk and maybe some vegan cheese. Or just omit the cheese.

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