Irresistible Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin: Your Go-To Keto-Friendly Comfort Food

Prepare to be amazed by this Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin, a dish so incredibly delicious, it’s guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters. Forget everything you thought you knew about cauliflower; this isn’t just a side dish, it’s a creamy, cheesy, bacon-infused culinary masterpiece! We’ve managed to transform humble cauliflower into a decadent, loaded casserole that both adults and children will enthusiastically devour. Even my own kids, who typically avoid vegetables with a passion, can’t get enough of this comforting creation.

But the goodness doesn’t stop there. This recipe is also perfectly keto-friendly, making it an ideal choice for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle. Many of you have been asking for more keto Instant Pot recipes, and we’re thrilled to deliver! Get ready to add this amazing dish to your regular rotation, offering all the rich flavor and satisfaction of a traditional au gratin, without the high carb count.

The Quest for Perfect Instant Pot Cauliflower

For the past few months, I’ve been on a mission to perfect the art of cooking cauliflower in the Instant Pot. My goal was clear: achieve tender yet firm cauliflower, without it turning into an unappetizing mush, and actually save time in the process. Many recipes I encountered suggested cooking cauliflower for 6-8 minutes under pressure. While this might seem quick on paper, when you factor in the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, you’re looking at a total cooking time closer to 15 minutes or more.

Naturally, we gave that 7-minute mark a try, hoping for a miracle. The result? A perfectly lovely side dish of mashed cauliflower. While delicious in its own right, it was far from the distinct, slightly crisp florets I envisioned for an au gratin. Furthermore, I realized I could have achieved a similar mashed texture steaming cauliflower on the stovetop in half the time, completely defeating the purpose of using a pressure cooker for speed.

The Revolutionary 1-Minute Cooking Method

It was then that my brilliant husband proposed a seemingly crazy idea: “Why not try cooking the cauliflower for just one minute in the Instant Pot?” Skeptical yet curious, I decided to give it a shot.

And it was absolute perfection. The cauliflower emerged from the Instant Pot beautifully tender, yet still firm enough to hold its shape, offering that delightful “al dente” bite essential for a proper au gratin. This incredibly short cooking time is a game-changer, ensuring your cauliflower is cooked through without becoming waterlogged or mushy.

The Unsung Hero: A Steamer Basket

Beyond the low cooking time, using a steamer basket is undeniably vital for achieving perfectly cooked cauliflower in the Instant Pot. The steamer basket elevates the cauliflower above the water, allowing it to steam gently rather than boil, which is crucial for maintaining its texture and preventing it from becoming soggy. We personally adore this particular double-tier steamer basket because of its versatility. While a double-tier basket isn’t strictly necessary for this specific recipe, I can tell you from experience that it comes incredibly handy for many other one-pot Instant Pot meals, allowing you to cook multiple components simultaneously!

What Makes This Cauliflower Au Gratin “Loaded”?

This isn’t your average cauliflower dish; it’s a truly “loaded” experience. We’ve packed it with rich, savory flavors that elevate it beyond a simple vegetable side. The creaminess comes from a luscious blend of cream cheese and heavy cream, creating an indulgent sauce that coats every floret. An abundance of shredded Italian cheese blend melts beautifully, forming a gooey, flavorful blanket. But the real stars of the “loaded” show are the crispy bacon crumbles and fresh chives, adding layers of salty, smoky, and herbaceous notes that make this dish utterly irresistible. Garlic powder and dried dill round out the flavor profile, creating a symphony of comfort in every bite.

Alrighty y’all, with all our secrets for perfectly cooked cauliflower revealed, let’s dive into the recipe itself and get cooking!

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes (plus Instant Pot pressurizing/depressurizing time)

Ingredients

1 medium to large cauliflower head, washed
6 oz. cream cheese, softened and cut into chunks
¼ cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried dill
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1½ cups Italian cheese blend, shredded (or your favorite cheese for melting)
4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (for garnish and flavor)
1 cup water (for Instant Pot steaming)
1-2 tablespoons cooking oil (e.g., coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil)

Instructions

Begin by preparing your cauliflower. Use one medium to large sized cauliflower head, wash it thoroughly under cold water.
Carefully remove the outer leaves and core. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized chunks or florets. Don’t worry about making them too small; larger chunks are perfectly fine and will help them maintain their texture.
Place the prepared cauliflower florets into a steamer basket that is suitable for your Instant Pot. Ensure the basket fits comfortably inside the pressure cooker pot.
Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot liner, *below* the steamer basket. The water should not touch the cauliflower.
Carefully lower the steamer basket with the cauliflower into the Instant Pot. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the sealing vent to the “Sealing” position.
Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on “High Pressure” and set the cooking time for a mere one (1) minute.
Once the one-minute cooking time is complete, immediately perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the sealing vent to the “Venting” position. Once all the steam has escaped and the float valve drops, remove the lid. Promptly remove the cauliflower from the Instant Pot to prevent any further cooking or steaming, which could lead to mushiness.
Carefully empty the hot water from the Instant Pot liner.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the perfectly steamed cauliflower with the softened cream cheese chunks, crispy bacon crumbles, 1 cup of the shredded Italian cheese blend (reserving ½ cup for topping if desired), heavy cream, softened butter, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season generously with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Gently mix everything until the ingredients are well combined and the cream cheese begins to melt into the warm cauliflower.
Return the empty Instant Pot liner to its base. Switch the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function on “Normal” or “Medium.” Allow the pan to heat up for a minute or two if it’s not already hot.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of your chosen cooking oil to the heated Instant Pot liner. While coconut oil works wonderfully, any cooking oil you prefer will suffice.
Carefully add the steamed cauliflower mixture into the Instant Pot. Sauté and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is hot and bubbly. If you reserved some cheese, sprinkle it on top during the last minute of sautéing to melt.
Transfer the Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin to a beautiful serving dish.
Generously top with the freshly chopped chives for a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color.
Serve immediately and enjoy this incredibly satisfying, low-carb comfort food!

Expert Tips & Variations

Achieving Golden Brown Perfection

For those who love a beautifully toasted, golden-brown cheese topping (similar to a traditional baked au gratin), you have an excellent alternative to sautéing in the Instant Pot. After step 9 (mixing all ingredients in a bowl), transfer the entire cauliflower mixture into an oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle any reserved shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling, melted, and golden brown to your liking. This step adds an extra layer of texture and visual appeal that some prefer.

Bacon Prep Made Easy

You have a few options for cooking your bacon. You can easily cook the bacon strips on the stovetop in a skillet until crispy, then crumble them. Alternatively, to save time, you can use pre-cooked bacon crumbles readily available at most grocery stores. For the more adventurous, you can actually cook bacon directly in your Instant Pot using the sauté function! If you choose this method, do it after you have steamed the cauliflower and emptied the water. Place your bacon strips in the Instant Pot liner on “Sauté,” cook until crisp, then remove the bacon and drain most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving just a thin coating. In this case, you can skip adding extra cooking oil in step 11, as the pan will already be greased and seasoned with bacon fat.

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheese blends! Cheddar, Gruyere, or a mix of Colby and Monterey Jack would all work wonderfully in place of the Italian blend.
Herbs: If you don’t have fresh dill or chives, dried parsley or a pinch of onion powder can add different aromatic notes. Fresh parsley or cilantro can also be used as a garnish.
Spice: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cauliflower mixture before sautéing.
Extra Veggies: While not strictly “au gratin,” a handful of steamed broccoli florets or sliced mushrooms could be added to the mixture for extra nutrition and flavor.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

This Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin is a fantastic make-ahead dish. You can prepare the entire recipe through step 12, then allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and bubbly. Leftovers also freeze well for up to 2-3 months; simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size:

1 serving (approximately 1/4 to 1/6 of the recipe)
Amount Per Serving (as provided by original source – please verify with your own calculations based on ingredients):
Calories: 5738
Total Fat: 518g
Saturated Fat: 221g
Cholesterol: 963mg
Sodium: 9327mg
Carbohydrates: 41g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 284g

Please note: The nutrition information provided is an estimate based on the original content and may vary depending on specific brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes. It is always recommended to calculate your own nutritional values for accuracy, especially if you are adhering to a specific dietary plan.

If you’re not making this incredible Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Au Gratin recipe right this second, don’t let it get lost! Be sure to pin this post so you can easily find it later when you’re ready to create this sensational keto-friendly, family-approved dish!