Cauliflower Cheddar Bacon Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon fresh garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (like mrs. dash)
• 16 ounce ground beef (80/20)
• 1 tablespoon low-carb ketchup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lard (or other high smoke point oil)
• 10 ounce cooked bacon (chopped)
• 588 gram cauliflower (cut into florets)
• 4 ounce cream cheese (softened)
• 4 ounce cheddar cheese (grated)

Instructions

1. 1

   Add all of the spices, seasonings, the minced garlic, and the lard to the ground beef.

2. 2

   Using your hands, thoroughly mix this together, making sure all of the spices are evenly distributed.

3. 3

   Place the ground beef into a plastic bag and pour reduced sugar ketchup, soy sauce, and fish sauce over the beef.

4. 4

   From the outside of the bag, use your hands to massage everything together. Roll the beef into a log and take all of the air out of the bag, closing the top, then store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Slice the bacon into small chunks and begin to cook it.

6. 6

   Once bacon is finished, remove from pan reserving leftover grease. Lay bacon on paper towels to cool and crisp up.

7. 7

   In the same pan with the bacon grease, begin to brown the ground beef. You want it cooked, but not fully cooked.

8. 8

   While beef is cooking, preheat the oven to 350F and chop the cauliflower into florets. Chop florets to the size you want; the smaller they are, the more they will cook in the oven. If you'd like, you can also cook them prior to putting them into the casserole dish.

9. 9

   Arrange the cauliflower florets in the bottom of a casserole dish.

10. 10

    Place ground beef over the cauliflower. You're welcome to mix this together to create a more solid casserole once finished.

11. 11

    Place dollops of cream cheese over the top.

12. 12

    Place bacon and cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Pour bacon grease over all.

13. 13

    Place casserole in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and browned over the top.

14. 14

    Remove casserole and let cool.

15. 15

    Feel free to add red pepper flakes, slices of jalapeno peppers, or a sprinkling of parsley over the top!