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Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower Rice Recipe for Low-Carb Meals

Having a vegetable with dinner is a must in my house, but it can be frustrating when fresh produce isn’t available. Keep a few bags of frozen cauliflower rice on hand and you can make this simple, cheesy, and delicious side dish in minutes. It pairs perfectly with chicken, steak, ham, sausage, or fish.

Frozen cauliflower rice in a pan with cheddar and cream cheese to make an easy, last minute side dish to serve with chicken or steak.

This easy side dish is so tasty my kids don’t realize it’s made with vegetables!

Delicious kid friendly cheesy cauliflower vegetable side dish recipe for dinner.

This recipe is essentially mac and cheese with cauliflower in place of pasta, creating a kid-friendly, lower-carb side dish the whole family will enjoy—even picky eaters. Frozen riced cauliflower is widely available in the freezer section at most grocery stores and is incredibly versatile. Our family loves cheese, so this creamy, gooey version has become a favorite.

Close up view of a delicious vegetable side dish made with frozen cauliflower rice, cheddar, cream cheese, and seasoning.

To prepare this cheesy cauliflower rice, microwave the frozen cauliflower rice following the package directions, then finish it in a skillet with butter. Stir in a splash of milk, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and your preferred seasonings. It’s about five minutes in the microwave and five minutes in the pan—ten minutes from start to finish for a warm, satisfying vegetable side.

This quick and easy vegetable side dish is a big hit with my family, even my picky kids! Serve with chicken, steak, ham, or any protein you'd like.

Quick and easy vegetable side dish for dinner made with frozen cauliflower rice, cream cheese, butter, cheddar, milk, and seasoning.

Cheesy Cauliflower Rice (Easy Vegetable Side Dish)

A quick, cheesy side dish made with frozen cauliflower rice—perfect as a last-minute vegetable. Kid friendly, healthy, low carb, and incredibly flavorful.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: healthy recipes, kid friendly, low carb, quick recipe, vegetable side dish
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 (20oz) bag frozen cauliflower rice (about 4 cups)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp cream cheese (2 ounces)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • seasoning to taste

Instructions

  • Microwave the cauliflower rice according to the package instructions.
  • In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
  • Add the hot cauliflower rice to the skillet and toss with the butter for a few minutes to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other preferred seasonings.
  • Reduce heat to low, then stir in the milk, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt and the mixture is smooth and combined.

Notes

  • Serve it with any protein: This cheesy cauliflower rice goes well with chicken, steak, ham, sausage, or fish. You can also stir in cooked protein to make a complete one-pan meal.
  • Customize it: Top with crumbled bacon, add diced jalapeños for heat, or mix in herbs for extra flavor.
  • Versatile and budget-friendly: Cauliflower rice is mild and absorbs flavors well, making it ideal for last-minute vegetables. Buying frozen cauliflower rice in bulk, for example at a warehouse store, can save money and keeps your freezer stocked with a handy staple.
  • More ideas: If you enjoy experimenting with frozen cauliflower rice, try other simple preparations like stir-fries, fried rice-style dishes, or a lemon-garlic version for variety.

Save this quick and easy vegetable side dish for later!

Healthy and delicious! It's not easy finding kid friendly veggie side dish recipes that they will actually eat, but this frozen cauliflower rice recipe is the exception. Plus it's quick and easy to make with just a few common ingredients. A yummy low carb side dish to serve with chicken, steak, ham, or sausage.

Frozen cauliflower rice mixed with cheddar and cream cheese to make a delicious yet healthy side dish for your family! This yummy vegetable pairs well with just about anything you have planned for dinner, plus it's naturally low carb. Just 10 minutes to make from start to finish! A great last minute side dish.Are you searching for healthy low carb side dish recipes to make for dinner? You've got to stock your freezer full of frozen cauliflower rice! It's just perfect for making last minute vegetable side dishes, and this cheesy recipe is kid friendly and quick to make in less than 10 minutes. Serve with chicken or steak for a yummy meal!If your vegetable side dishes are getting boring, try this cheesy cauliflower rice recipe! It's so easy to prepare with a common freezer staple, plus it's kid friendly, low carb, and out of this world delicious. My picky eaters have no idea it's even a vegetable! It's our new favorite side dish for dinner.