Love twice baked potatoes with crispy bacon, cheese, and scallions? How about a faux version using cauliflower instead? Skip the guilt but still indulge in the toppings? Yes, please.
Neither of my kids like potatoes.
Of any kind.
Sometimes I don’t even know who they are.
When Mystic and I broke up two years ago, I went through a (thankfully) short phase where I had mashed potatoes and gravy.
Every night.
True story.
When THAT is my comfort food, how I have managed to have two kids that shun potatoes of all kinds astounds me to no end.
Truth be told, potatoes are not a girl’s best friend.
Or they shouldn’t be.
Because. Carbs.
And, of course, all those scandalous toppings you’re wont to add on top just pushes it (and you) over the edge.
The edge of those slim cut jeans, no doubt.
So how about we change things up and play a little trick on ourselves?
Loaded Baked Potato Casserole.
Crispy Bacon.
Sour cream.
Cheese.
Scallions.
Hold the potato.
What the what?!
Yep. Hold the potato.
If you’ve been here over the last few years, you know I have had every version of cauliflower known to mankind.
Well, I really haven’t, not yet. Because just when I think I have, I find ten more new fake-out recipes to try.
Just look at my Pinterest board for proof.
But today?
It’s all about the fake-out loaded baked potato.
It didn’t fool my kids into liking potatoes.
As if.
And it might not cure a broken heart, if you have one.
But it plays nicely as a tasty and filling side dish without the heaping serving of guilt.
Hungry for more cauliflower recipes?
Visit Flavortown with this recipe for Sesame Glazed Cauliflower.
Cauliflower Fritters. Kind of like a fried latke. But without the side of guilt.
These Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Tots from Kalyn’s Kitchen were fun little bites to pop in your mouth.
If you haven’t made this ridiculously simple Three Ingredient Cauliflower Soup, you are seriously missing out.
This Buffalo-Style Roasted Cauliflower is one I keep going back to. So good and so easy.
This Roasted Cauliflower Spread is a riff off one that Sarah and I enjoyed at Tom Douglas’ Lola in Seattle.
Visually, this Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a showstopper, and I made it for a cooking challenge at the CIA recently.
If you haven’t had this Cauliflower Steak with Homemade Caesar Dressing, I don’t know how to help you.
This super simple Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a great comfort food spin when you’re craving carbs and cheese.
These Cauliflower Bread Sticks were another great riff, and delish!
This Mock Shrimp Risotto was almost as good as the real deal.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza for fulfilling all your pizza loving dreams.
And lastly, Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes will satisfy your comfort food craving.
Fake-Out Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
Recipe courtesy of The Kitchen is My Playground
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, cut in large pieces (about 4 to 5 cups chopped)
2 c. reduced-fat sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
6 green onions, chopped
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (I used turkey bacon)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Directions
Steam cauliflower in a steamer basket over boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes; drain well. (I used the Ziploc steamer bags instead). Chop cooked cauliflower into very small pieces and place in a mixing bowl.
Add sour cream, salt, pepper, half of the chopped green onions, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the bacon; stir until well combined.
Place mixture in a 2-quart baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. Top evenly with remaining cheddar cheese and sprinkle with remaining bacon. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining green onions.
Oooh, yes — I would be all over this! My health-conscious brother-in-law “sneaks” vegetables into every meal when we’re over, so I’ll have to share this with him. Also, potatoes (and carbs in general) have been a total pregnancy craving . . . maybe I can trick myself into enjoying this instead. :)
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