This slow cooker cauliflower is rich and creamy and oh-so-cheesy. The ultimate low carb keto comfort food dish!
I am really loving my slow cooker lately. It’s usually one of those countertop appliances that I don’t actually keep on my countertop. It typically lives down on my pantry shelving in the basement, coming up once or twice a month. But these days, I make a recipe with it and clean it up and intend on hauling it back down stairs, only to discover another recipe idea in my head that requires it. My husband, who can be somewhat fastidious about uncluttered counters, gave up trying to get it out of the way because I was using it almost daily. Really, it’s been good to me lately, producing some easy and delicious food for my family.
How To Make Keto Pepper Jack Cauliflower
The best slow cooker recipes are the ones where you just dump the ingredients in and walk away. This is almost one of those recipes. I say almost because you do have to come back and add the cheese at the end, and stir and then let it cook a tiny bit longer. But really, there’s so little work here and you end up with a super creamy, super flavourful low carb side dish.
And can I just say that the leftovers make a great breakfast? Bacon optional.
And be sure to check out these amazing low carb cauliflower recipes!
- Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Alfredo from Crunchy Cream Sweet
- Roasted Cauliflower and Cheddar Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Rosemary Garlic Mashed Cauliflower from The Cookie Rookie
- Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower from The Reluctant Entertainer
Slow Cooker Pepper Jack Cauliflower
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound cauliflower cut into 1 inch florets
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 ounces Pepper Jack cheese shredded
- 6 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
Instructions
- Grease the inside of a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker.
- Add the cauliflower, cream cheese, whipping cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Add the Pepper Jack and stir to combine. Continue to cook another 30 minutes to an hour, until cauliflower is fork tender.
- Add bacon crumbles and serve.
Nutrition
Tracy says
I am using my slow cooker a lot lately. I cook up enough meat to last us the week. I made your ginger bread cake recipe and it was fantastic. Beyond moist. I did have a hard time getting it out so next time I will line with parchment. Just bought a head of cauliflower so this will be on the menu this week. Thanks so much for the wonderful recipes.
Tanya says
Have you ever tried the slow cooker liners? They are wonderful! I use them all the time when cooking with my slowcooker. They are a plastic liner, so they probably wouldn’t stick. I love them because they save on clean up and you don’t have to use cooking sprays. You can find them in grocery stores usually beside the tinfoil, wax paper, cling wrap, ziploc bags, etc.
Carolyn says
Oh my gosh, can you link me to those?
Karen says
I use dollar store cooking bags cut to size
Kathie Haddon says
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=reynolds+slow+cooker+liner&crid=1T6JGLPB4ETA0&sprefix=Reynolds+%2Caps%2C228&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9
Lisa says
I never thought of using nonstick spray in a crock pot. Do you think this would be ok instead of a plastic liner she for the cake? I try to avoid cooking with plastic….thanks!
Carolyn says
The cake will still stick but that’s okay. I use it like snack cake where I simply cut it out of the slow cooker in pieces.
Barbara says
When I make it I just use parchment. Fold iy so it fits. Comes out & the parchment acts as a plate to catch crumbs…before they sneak into my mouth!
Michelle says
Can always put water in and put it on warm. Leave it on for a half hour to an hour. Right after that pour out the water it will take a lot of whats left on out and make it easier to clean afterwards. I use liners from time to time but there are mornings I forget or run out of them and someone sent me the trick awhile back. My husband and I split cleaning and cooking duties. If I cook he cleans and if he cooks vice versa. He had the same problem when we found the trick from a friend.
Bill says
How much cauliflower did you use in this…roughly? Size of heads vary too much – sm, md, lg, or est of oz or cups would be cool.
Thx
Carolyn says
Medium.
Pam says
Thanks for another outstanding recipe. We needed a new slow cooker, after 15 years it up and quite, purchased an Instant Pot it’s a slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker all I can say is Best purchase we have made other than Wolf oven. Have used all of the functions mentioned, yogurt is great never buying it again. Pot is traveling as we head out in the travel trailer.
Melinda Stanley says
This recipe is un-be-liev-able. I tried it on the weekend and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I have two more cauliflower cut up in the fridge ready for another go.
I used to miss mac & cheese. I would take the pepper jack cauliflower over mac & cheese any day.
Amy says
I think the EXACT same thing. WAY better than mac and cheese! YUMMYLICIOUS!!!
Angela says
I REALLY want to make this, but the link will not work for me.
Carolyn says
It works for me. Try a different browser?
Claudia says
https://asweetlife.org/slow-cooker-pepper-jack-cauliflower/
Just made it for the first time tonight — YUMMY! Thanks, Carolyn! Mine ended up being more liquidy than yours, probably because I used a 500g bag of frozen cauliflower instead of fresh. Next time I think I will use 750g. In any case, it was delish!
Renee says
I really want to make this but only have frozen cauliflower at the moment. Do you think that will work or will it get too mushy in the crock pot?
Carolyn says
I think if you were careful to watch it and cook it less, it would probably be okay.
Maya | Wholesome Yum says
This looks sooo good! Checking out the recipe now!
Rhiannon Taylor says
Hi Carolyn, quick question…. would you ever consider creating meal plans like “Peace love and low carb”???
I just can’t get enough of your food!! It’s so simple and such a variety. I know there are thousands of people that would pay same if not more that the other website…. just a thought….
Kindest Regards
Rhiannon
Carolyn says
It’s definitely something I am thinking about!
Susan says
Yum indeed! Doubled this for a potluck…people were scraping the sides of the crockpot. Fantastic!
Anon says
Tried this recipe out and while we both have very different ideas of comfort food this has us BOTH hooked! Very very delicious!
Bernard Zimmer says
I know what I’m gonna cook this weekend ! Thanks for the share, looks delicious
Dee M says
Have you ever tried it with something other than whipping cream. Low fat milk or fat free milk? fat free cheese?
The recipe sounds wonderful
Carolyn says
I have not because I believe in a low carb high fat diet. But you can certainly try. 🙂
Betty says
How much cheese did you use for this recipe?
Carolyn says
If you click through to the recipe, it tells you. 4 ounces of Pepper Jack.
Kate says
Love this, have made it several times. Great sub for macaroni and cheese or scalloped potatoes. Definitely should be in contention for best of 2017.
Carolyn says
It’s a popular one so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on the list!
Kathy says
I didn’t have this cheese, so substituted sharp cheddar, but it was still very delicious. Great recipe!…and so easy…. My only problem was thinking ahead 3 1/2 hours before dinner to get it started.
Carolyn says
Haha, I know. I have trouble thinking that far ahead too!
Shelley Patterson says
I’ve ben terrified to try any cauliflour recipes bc I just don’t care for califlour. However, this one caught my eye and I think I’m going to go for it.
bfbyers says
LOVE this recipe! Had some left over and I keep sneaking a few bites as I pass the fridge 🙂
I also love rice pudding and was hoping for a “sister” recipe (slow cooker, cauliflower, cream cheese, etc) but ending up as rice pudding!! Anything like that in the works Carolyn??
Carolyn says
Well there is an interesting idea!
kathy says
Slow cooker liner question!
There seem to be metal ones and plastic ones?
Any suggestions?
The plastic ones concern me a little, leaching chemicals?
Maria says
Carolyn, looks like you didn’t get a response for the link to the slow cooker liners. Here’s one: https://www.amazon.com/PanSaver-Cooker-Cooking-Perfect-Cholent/dp/B06Y25854T?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B06Y25854T. This one is for 100 which equals to $.33 each.
You can find them in most stores, Reynolds is the notable brand, they come 4-6 to a box and for different size slow cookers.
Thank you for all your hard work. I’m going to make this recipe tomorrow!
Tamara says
What are the nutritional values?. Please
Carolyn says
Please click through to the full recipe, they are all right there.
Holly Ferrante says
I can’t seem to view the nutritonal list either
Carolyn says
If you click through to the Sweet Life website, it’s right under the recipe.
Charla says
Carolyn – I work outside the home, so prepping this for a 3 hour leadtime is problematic. Wondered if you had any experience with doing it in the Instapot?
Love love love your recipes. I was gifted an EKK cookbook for Christmas!
Carolyn says
One reader did it and it was total mush. Tasty mush, but mush nonetheless.
Jo says
I’ve been known to set my lamp timer and plug my crockpot into that before leaving for work. If everything I put in is very cold from the ‘fridge, I figure it is all good for an hour or two before it starts cooking.
Kati says
I’m using my instant as a slow cooker today and it doesn’t have a high or low setting. I currently have had the cauliflower in for a 1.5 hours and it’s already tender. Should I put the cheese in now?
Carolyn says
YES!
Jessica says
Hi Carolyn! I was thinking about adding chicken to this recipe to make it a meal in and of itself. We love it as a side! I was thinking that if I added some cubed chicken to the cooker before all the rest it might come out about the same if I drained any extra moisture before adding the cauliflower. What do you think?
Carolyn says
I think it would be great.
J. Park says
Yum! Do you have any instructions for making this in the Instant Pot pressure cooker?
Heather says
I see that the recipe calls for whipping cream, but did not see you use it in the video. Is this optional? Looking forward to making this tonight.
Carolyn says
Works either way. I honestly think I just forgot in the video!
Emily says
Do you have any cooking suggestions to change this from slow cooker to instant pot? It looks delicious but im too impatient qnd unprepared for slow cooking more often than not haha.
Carolyn says
Check out some IP cauliflower recipes and then use my additions. I am not really sure of the timing of it. Wish I could help more!
Shellee Schroeder says
Looks amazing! Do you drain the cauliflower after the first 3 hours? Is it watery?
Carolyn says
No, I don’t drain it.
Stephanie says
Can I use riced cauliflower for this??
Carolyn says
Probably but you’d need to cook it a LOT less.
Jacquelyn Brooke says
Recipe looks awesome and I can’t wait to try it! I’d love if you could list ingredients and measurements within your blog for convenience though! It makes for an easy screenshot then grocery list lol. Plus it seems it’s answer a few of the questions people have asked for you.
Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Carolyn says
This is one I was paid to create and so the whole recipe lives on the Sweet Life website. Should be pretty easy to take a screen shot of that.
Angie says
Can I substitute the pepper jack cheese for Gouda or cheddar instead?
Carolyn says
Sure!
Kath says
I made this and we LOVED it! My husband, who is known to be extremely fond of bacon, even said that the bacon was unnecessary. It’s THAT good! I’m going to double it for an Easter side dish with our ham. Thanks for this amazing recipe.
Kyle says
I love all of these recipes that ‘claim’ they’re keto friendly but then DONT show nutrional value per serving. It is so VERY helpful NOT knowing the nutrional value of the meal you are promoting.
And if you didn’t get the hint. There is sarcasm in that comment.
Carolyn says
You can be as sarcastic as you like but you would actually be wrong. You didn’t click through to the full recipe which does, in fact, contain ALL the nutritional information.
Barb says
I’m not a big fan of cream cheese.
Is there anything that I can use to substitute the cream cheese?
I have to say, I never liked cauliflower and your recipes are turning me to a fan. I also like that many of your recipes are vegetarian friendly or can be easily converted to vegetarian. My husband is vegetarian, and it’s hard for me to find recipes that I personally like. Loving the blog.
Carolyn says
I honestly don’t know what you’d replace the cream cheese with. Maybe a little heavy cream? But you wouldn’t want much or it would be soupy.
Sarah says
I made this today to be my Thanksgiving side dish with a cornish hen, and I couldn’t stop eating it even as I was putting the leftovers in a glass dish to store. This was so good that I didn’t realize I left the bacon on a side counter and forgot to add it in! I ate the bacon later- I’m not crazy!- but it was THAT good. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Carolyn says
Wow, so happy to hear that!
patricia Peterson says
love the crock pot pepper jack califlower
Amber says
My husband barely tolerates cauliflower, I on the other hand crave it!! So thought I would give this a try!! Well according to my hubby “It’s a keeper!!” I did end up putting a smidge of Veggie Broth* because I thought it needed a little more liquid. We both agreed it would also work good as a soup too!!
* Better than Bouillon veggie
Carolyn says
Excellent!
Matt Taylor says
Cauliflower, cheese, bacon, cream, salt, pepper, nothing in there I don’t like! So amazing and easy to make!
Erin says
This is so good! Really easy to make and means my kids actually eat their vegetables!
Stephanie says
Such a great recipe! I usually make this twice a week for a snack.