Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder

When I was in high school, students were given 30 minutes to eat lunch every day. Starting senior year we were allowed to leave campus during that time, to do what whatever it is that seniors do, so long as we were back before the next period started.

Sweet, sweet freedom!

Except it always took 5 minutes to round everybody up then another 5 to decide who had to sacrifice their parking spot. This meant that by the time my friends and I arrived at our dining destination we’d have 10 minutes to scarf our food before needing to turn around and come back. Usually we sped over to nearby Panera for a quick and satisfying You Pick 2. #IYKYK.

Their creamy Baked Potato Soup and Caesar Salad was my go-to order and, recently reminiscing about the soup, I decided to create an updated, non-teenage-metabolism version of it using one of my favorite potato swap outs: grated cauliflower.

Say hello to low-carb Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder!

Watch How to Make It

Low Carb Version of Baked Potato Soup

Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder is a low-carb version of Baked Potato Soup. Less carbs, ALL that rich and creamy flavor. You won’t miss the spuds for a second!

Clocking in at a little over 200 calories, with 9 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein per serving, I could not be more pumped about this chowder. You are going to love it!

Start by chopping celery and garlic.

A food processor makes quick work of chopping and grating the ingredients in this recipe, as these photos show, though you can of course chop and grate everything by hand. I love my Cuisinart 14-cup food processor!

Remove the celery and garlic to bowl then fit the processor with a grating blade. Grate ~1/2 large head of cauliflower to equal 4 cups grated cauliflower.

A box grater will do the job just fine if you don’t have a food processor, or store-bought fresh or frozen riced cauliflower is another great option.

Scoop the grated cauliflower into a bowl then shred a block of sharp cheddar cheese. The cheese will be used to flavor and thicken the soup, as well as sprinkle on top of each bowl for a gooey, yummy finish.

Next chop center-cut bacon to be used in both the chowder and as a garnish.

Ok, prep work’s done. Time to cook!

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat then add the chopped bacon and brown until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate then remove all but 1 Tablespoon drippings from the pot.

Next add the chopped celery and garlic, season with salt and pepper, then saute until the celery is tender, 8-10 minutes.

Add the grated cauliflower to the pot, plus onion powder and a splash of water, then season with more salt and pepper and place a lid on top. Steam the cauliflower until tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring every so often.

Once the cauliflower is tender, add chicken broth and milk. I recommend using at least 2% or higher fat milk.

Bring the chowder up to a simmer then drizzle in a mixture of gluten free flour whisked with more chicken broth while stirring constantly.

The flour will make the chowder lusciously thick and wonderful in just a couple of minutes.

Finally, turn off the heat then stir in some of the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth, and then stir in half the cooked bacon. Taste then add more salt and/or pepper if necessary.

Ladle the cauliflower chowder into bowls then top with remaining shredded cheese and cooked bacon. I am so jazzed over this recipe! I mean of course grated cauliflower isn’t going to have the same, super-smooth mouth feel as cooked potatoes, but it is DARN close.

Thick, creamy, cheesy perfection — enjoy!

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