Paleo Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

at a glance
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 10 -12 servings
5 — Votes 2 votes

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This healthier classic Thanksgiving side dish has been transformed to be totally Paleo and low carb, but still keeps its cheesy, creamy flavor thanks to nutritional yeast!

This cheesy broccoli casserole is just like your old favorite Thanksgiving side dish – but transformed to be totally Paleo!

white plate of Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

One of my greatest joys as a recipe developer is turning an old not so good for you classic into a new possibly the healthiest thing on the table and now a family favorite staple. Instead of feeling sorry for myself when I start to jones over childhood food favorites, I tell myself, “well, I can’t be the ONLY one who loves/misses these foods;” and then I roll up my sleeves and get to work on creating a healthier, Paleo-friendly option. MOST of these holiday-centered recipes (like my updated green bean casserole, pumpkin pie with legit Grandma would be proud pie crust, roast beef with creamy horseradish sauce, etc.) can be found in my most succinct Holiday Feast eBook, but I’ve decided to share a few of my favorites right here on the blog, too.

Cheesy broccoli casserole and I go way back. We go back to the days when I did NOT like vegetables. Allow me to introduce you to 5 year old Cassy. She was often referred to as “Cassandra Joy” because she was often in trouble. She liked potatoes, hated tomatoes, enjoyed re-fried beans (I’m a Garcia, after all), adored creamy pasta, and would only eat green things if they were covered in cheese. I’d (unintentionally) make my parents so proud at holiday gatherings when I’d ask to have 2nd servings of that wonderful cheesy, rice-y, crunchy, “there’s broccoli in there?” casserole.

Cheesy broccoli casserole and any cookie made with Crisco were the holiday foodie highlights of my youth.

Fast forward to my now more nutritionally aware, tomato-loving adult self. The original cheesy broccoli casserole is *sometimes* worth a bite, but I usually stop at a bite. I realize that the appeal is more in the memory than in the actual food. SO, I got to work creating a dish that tipped its hat at the memory AND tasted great AND would do great things for my body.

I believe this is the first recipe published here on my blog where I’m introducing nutritional yeast. I discovered nutritional yeast back in my brief days as a vegan. It’s a delicious, flaky, cheesy food supplement that I relied on heavily when I was overcoming my cravings for cheese. Don’t be turned off by the name – it’s delicious and not as weird as it sounds. You can usually find it in the health food section of your grocery store (HEB for you Texans and Whole Foods is a sure bet for everyone else) or you can easily order it online.

The nutritional yeast combined with the coconut milk, “riced” cauliflower, and broccoli florets makes for an entirely satisfying casserole base. Instead of the crushed crackers for a crust, I use crushed pork rinds mixed with extra nutritional yeast!

I hope you love this casserole and that it brings back wonderful memories.

white plate of Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Paleo Broccoli Casserole Recipe

By: Cassy
5 — Votes 2 votes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 10 -12 servings
This cheesy broccoli casserole is just like your old favorite Thanksgiving side dish – but transformed to be totally Paleo!

Ingredients  

  • 30-32 ounces frozen or fresh broccoli florets 7 cups packed
  • 1 head cauliflower or about 6 cups pre-riced cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon grass-fed butter ghee, or extra-virgin olive oil (for #2: stove-top rice method)
  • 1 1/2 cups 13.6 ounces full-fat canned coconut milk
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast divided*
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups pork rinds crushed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Steam the broccoli florets until they're fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
  • Cut the florets from the head of the cauliflower. Either using the grating attachment on your food processor or by simply adding them to the food processor bowl, break them up into rice-sized pieces.

To cook the "rice," you have two options:

  • Transfer the “rice” to a microwave-safe bowl with a few tablespoons water. Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a large frying pan and then add the "rice." Stir well, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove the lid and continue to stir and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
  • Transfer the “rice” to a microwave-safe bowl with a few tablespoons water. Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a large frying pan and then add the "rice." Stir well, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove the lid and continue to stir and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, beaten eggs, ½ cup nutritional yeast, sea salt, and pepper. Add the cooked broccoli and cauliflower rice. Stir to incorporate.
  • Pour the mixture into a large (9x13”) casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, mix the 2 cups crushed pork rinds with the remaining 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the top with the nutritional yeast and pork rind breading. Return to the oven at 350 for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Let cool for 5-10 minutes and then serve warm.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Paleo Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
172
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Trans Fat
 
0.05
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
41
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
407
mg
18
%
Potassium
 
572
mg
16
%
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
3
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
10
g
20
%
Vitamin A
 
615
IU
12
%
Vitamin C
 
104
mg
126
%
Calcium
 
66
mg
7
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Notes

  1. If you tolerate dairy, feel free to replace the nutritional yeast with 1 cup shredded cheese.
  2. To make this a full meal, add about 4 cups shredded chicken to the mixture before baking.
Meet the Author
Cassy Headshot

Cassy Joy Garcia

HOWDY! I’m Cassy Joy and I am just so happy you’re here. I’m the founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Nutrition Consultant here at Fed and Fit. What started as a food blog back in 2011 has evolved now into so much more.
Get to know Cassy

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    Recipe Rating




    • Kelly says

      Kelly —  12/21/2015 At 18:10

      Thank you for the tip Ricki!

  1. Stephanie says

    Stephanie —  07/04/2016 At 22:15

    Hi, I was just scrolling through your recipe and thought this looked so good! I realized the ingredients include eggs. I’m allergic to eggs- are they crucial to the recipe or do you think I could make the casserole without them?

    Thanks!

    • Cassy says

      Cassy —  07/25/2016 At 07:01

      The eggs do help the casserole hold up BUT you can absolutely leave them out! Just know that it will be slightly crumbly.

  2. Tracy says

    Tracy —  08/16/2016 At 15:44

    Can you add ground beef/chicken/turkey to this in the casserole to up the protein? What kind of adjustments would need to be made?

  3. Jenna says

    Jenna —  10/10/2016 At 18:13

    Made this for dinner tonight and added shredded chicken to make it a complete meal – amazing! Great recipe, will definitely be making again. Thanks! 🙂

  4. Kaitlin says

    Kaitlin —  02/07/2017 At 14:24

    Do you have to use the nutritional yeast? can i sub it with almond flour or cashews?

  5. Donna says

    Donna —  03/30/2017 At 15:51

    I added a can of tuna to make this a complete meal. So yummy! Thanks for sharing.

    • Cassy says

      Cassy —  05/02/2017 At 06:02

      Smart, Donna!

  6. Lori says

    Lori —  10/17/2017 At 19:36

    I had a bunch of broccoli and cauliflower I needed to use up tonight and I came across this recipe! My husband, who is not a fan of cauliflower or broccoli unless smothered in cheese devoured this! Only modification we did was to add a can of tuna to make it a complete meal. I will definitely be making this again!

  7. Robin says

    Robin —  03/08/2018 At 13:14

    Hi Cassy, do you have any idea how many cups of cauliflower rice would this be? I have a big Costo-size 2lb bag of cauli rice that I would like to use…after I discovered that Costco has cauli rice I haven’t made my own, sooooo dang convenient! This sounds amazing by the way and I’m making it for dinner tonight, I absolutely love your loaded cauli mac and cheese so I’m really looking forward to trying this 🙂

  8. Kristen says

    Kristen —  11/21/2018 At 11:00

    What type of cheese and how much? It is not listed in the recipe.

  9. Sara Boyer says

    Sara Boyer —  11/02/2020 At 13:58

    Is there a substitute you could recommend instead of coconut milk that would work? My family doesn’t like the taste of coconut.

  10. Gina says

    Gina —  11/14/2021 At 17:31

    5 stars
    My husband and toddler love this recipe. We add chicken for a full meal.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  11/15/2021 At 09:42

      So glad everyone enjoys it, Gina! Thanks so much for sharing!

  11. Becky says

    Becky —  01/03/2023 At 18:19

    5 stars
    This was awesome!! I added chicken thighs cut up, garlic, and I used cauliflower rice, and gf bread crumbs.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  01/04/2023 At 16:08

      Amazing! We’re so glad you loved it, Becky!