This tater tot casserole is made from cauliflower tots and covered with cheese and salsa! It’s low carb, healthy and great for game day or for kids!
GUESS WHAT.
WE ARE FINALLY MOVED INTO OUR APARTMENT AND I AM NOT SURROUNDED BY BOXES.
Sorry to yell at you. I’m just kind of excited. And by kind of I mean that I have excitement bursting out of my eye ballz.
But in a COOL FUN kind of way, not a that-sounds-really-painful-and-you-should-probably-get-that-checked-out kind of way. You understand.
I PROMISE I will take some pictures BUT, there are still a few boxes here and there. When you see the pictures I want you to think I am clean human and not see the real Taylor: A hoarder.
I only hoard squash though. For realz. I bought 3 Kabocha squash yesterday because they were on sale.
But that really has nothing to do with anything other than me being obsessed with kabocha squash. Have you tried it though? Oh my golly gosh, I could it forever and always.
Getting side tracked. There is no squash in these tater tot casserole. I promise I wouldn’t lie to you and call them “cauliflower” tots and then be like SURPRISE-no-cauli-here-they’re-all-squash.
Because that would be mean and then you might actually throw a spaghetti squash casserole at me. Aaaandd, that would be messy.
Yuck.
Anyway, the sequel.
I lovelovelove our new apartment. BUT, now Mr. FFF can watch FOOTBALL. THE AGONY.
Remember I told you how I made him buffalo chicken hash and buffalo chicken egg muffins while he watched my pretend football game, and I was really happy about not having to actually watch a WHOLE game with him?
Yeah. That’s done. It was wonder-ific while it lasted.
Now I don’t have a husband anymore. So be prepared to be nattered at even more than usual, sorry.
But, not really sorry at all because I <3 you.
Anyway, the threequel. We’re getting out of control.
I made this cauliflower tater tot casserole WAY BACK IN THE DAY when kids walked uphill both ways to school, with NO shoes. And, by that I mean, I made it back in Florida. A few weeks ago.
But now I am going to make it every day forever so I can eat it ALL myself. I feel this will be the only way I can get through football season.
I know cauliflower tater-tots are old newz, but this was my first time making them, and now I like them BETTER than cauliflower rice! In fact, I want them in my oatmeal recipe for breakfast.
I’m kidding. But I like them. Lots.
Especially when they are covered with salsa, cheese….and more cheese. <— That’ a good sentence.
Contrary to what he above sentence sounds like, this baby is protein packed (HELLO chicken and cottage cheese!) AND low carb. WHAT THE WHAT.
It’s truf. And it tastes YUM.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll happily live in cauliflower tater tot casserole land until all the game days are done.
Make sure to check out the Cauliflower Tater Tot Casserole Recipe on Food Fanatic as well!
P.s My nickname is tatertot.
The end.
FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
Want more game day grub?
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Potato Poppers
Butter Chicken Dip with Homemade Naan
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Ranch Sauce
Game Day grub from around the web:
Pretzel Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce – Yummy Healthy Easy
Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites – Simple Healthy Kitchen
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Ahhh this is genius! And being forced to watch sports=one of my favorite (read: least favorite) things ever.
Taylor Kiser says
Haha. Too bad we can’t “watch” it together. And by that, I mean..go shopping. Thanks Erin!
Julie @ A Warrior and A Nurse says
Congratulations on your successful move, Taylor!
If he missed the games yesterday, hopefully he will recover…with time, I’m sure ;). I know that any abstinence from football, to some men, can be seen as being akin to violating the holiest of pastimes. Clever thinking, though, with actually planning your move on Sunday!
Pure genius. 😉 🙂
P.s. I hoard squash, as well. It’s been a little while since I’ve had kabocha squash, but, we have sure gotten our fill of butternut squash already, this fall. Of his few crops, my dad grows butternut squash, and, literally on the first day of fall, we harvested some immediately to turn into a delicious butternut squash soup. My husband and son couldn’t keep their hands off of it!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha RIGHT!? I am a ninja moving planner like that 🙂
I am SO jealous you get fresh squash! If you need someone to take it off your hands….;)
Thanks Julie!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Oh my goodness, WHERE have cauli-tots been my ENTIRE LIFE?! Come to think of it, where has this ah-mazing casserole been my whole life too?! Cheesy, cauli-goodness….*sigh and swoon* YES.
I’m pretty sure my mom would go cray if I were to make these tots for her—she’s trying out a Paleo diet and we’re all going a little insane with the cauli these days….I’m thinking Monday night dinner needs this casserole. 😉 Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
YOU NEED TO TRY CAULI TOTS SARAH! Seriously, life changing!
Oh gosh…you must be eating cauli for DAYZ…this definitely needs to happen in your mouth. Thanks girl!
Katharine says
Random morsel: if you so find out that you are swimming in Kabocha squash, they make a great substitute for pumpkin in pie. I made one last year (because I kept getting them in my CSA share) and nobody could tell it wasn’t pumpkin! And who doesn’t want another excuse to make pie?
I’ll definitely have to try this recipe. My husband doesn’t like cauliflower (he says it’s too bland), but if it’s made into golden tots and covered in cheese, he’ll most certainly inhale it without complaint. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Funny you say that, because I use it in my oatmeal with pumpkin pie spice – you’re so right, it’s so great as a sub!
My hubby LURVED THIS, so hopefully yours does too! Thanks Katharine!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh my gosh, Taylor, this cauliflower casserole looks amazing! I’m seriously drooling over here, your pictures are just gorgeous! I love how creative this recipe is, and covered in cheese and salsa makes it so much better! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Right? Cover anything in Salsa and cheese and I will EAT IT ALL! Thank you so much Gayle!! 😀 Happy Monday!
Christie+-+Food+Done+Light says
This dish is screaming to be eaten. I love how healthy you’ve made it but it is still delicious comfort food. Perfect!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Christie! 😀
Julie+@+Running+in+a+Skirt says
Those look amazing! Totally thinking outside the box!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Julie! Happy Monday!
Aimee+@+ShugarySweets says
What a delicious dish!!! This is my kind of game day food 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks girlfriend!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
oh my gosh! I totally want to make my own tater-tots!!! they look delicious;-) and I love how healthy they are, I would probably eat them plain before they made it into the pan HA 😉 YUM!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, they’re good on their own too! 😉 Thanks Michele!
Shashi at Runninsrilankan(dot)com says
I am on the floor after reading “I made this cauliflower tot casserole WAY BACK IN THE DAY when kids walked uphill both ways to school, with NO shoes. And, by that I mean, I made it back in Florida. A few weeks ago” oh dear – you are just too funny!!! Thanks Taylor – I needed an A.M. laugh!
As for this casserole – brilliant tater tot idea – think I can sub coconut flour and cut back on the cheese a tad and it would still be good?
CONGRATS on unpacking!!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha I am so glad to make your Monday brighter lady…but, really, my Grandpa always said that..so I needed to throw it in!!
I can’t guarantee the coconut flour, since it’s SO finicky, you may need less than the recipe calls for but give it a go! And tell me what happens 🙂
Thanks so much friend!
Julia says
Where was that skillet yesterday while I was watching the 9ers win on an empty stomach?? I need to do some serious FaceTime with these cauliflower treats. Extra cheese me, puhlease!!
Taylor Kiser says
Sending ALL DA cheesy goodness your way friend – thanks lady!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
I am definitely into subbing cauli for potatoes sometimes, but I’ve not heard of the Cauliflower tot before so that is not old news to me! And it’s now the greatest news EVER! I love this idea. They look so crispy and wonderful and dunkable all on their own, but this casserole looks excellent too. Thank you for sharing! Pinning, for sure.
I live for football season! I watch games I don’t even care about! *Obsessed*! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! Thanks Sarah, you totally need to try it! Alone or in a casserole!
I hope you did as well! 😀
Sherri@The+Well+Floured+Kitchen says
Oh my goodness, these look incredible! I could eat them all alone, but salsa and cheese too? Yum!! It takes a long time to empty all the boxes after moving (at least for me) Just stick em’ all in a closet- that’s totally reasonable 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! That is what I did… 😉 Thanks Sherri!
Julia says
This is such a unique dish! It would be perfect for Meatless Monday. Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks girl!
Liz+@+Tip+Top+Shape says
This is so unique – I love it!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Liz! Happy Monday! 😀
Mandy+|+Baking+with+Blondie says
I seriously can’t get my little family to eat cauliflower for anything (except when smothered in cheese and topped with bacon or something), so I’m always on the lookout for recipes like this! THANK YOU!! It’s genius, and we can’t wait to try this one!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, cheese and bacon, works every time right? 😉
Thanks Mandy! Please let me know if you try it! It’s a bit time consuming, but SO worth it!
Kristen says
Cauli-tots are brilliant!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Kristen! 😀
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I’ve never made cauliflower tater tots either, but they look awesome so I think I need to! And pretty much any version of Mexican food is awesome, so this looks delicious and I need to make it!
Taylor Kiser says
Right? Can Mexican ever do wrong?! Thanks Stacey, I hope that you love it!
Matt Robinson says
What an awesome idea, Taylor, love this casserole!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Matt! 😀
nibbles+by+nib says
Stunning is not even the word Taylor!!! LOVE These nibbles to pieces. (PS. SO great meeting you at the IFBC!!) Warmest, Nic
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you SO much Nic! It was so great to meet you too! 😀
Marye @ Restless Chipotle says
Yay for comfort food I can eat (I have to stay lower carb)! I love the Mexican flavors you’ve added here. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
YAY! I am so happy you can eat this Marye! 😀 Thanks!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
This looks awesome Taylor! I’m a huge fan of cauliflower rice, was actually going to make some with dinner tonight, but now I might have to make these cauliflower tots instead! It looks delicious and so much protein!
Taylor Kiser says
I like the way you think 😉 Cauliflower really can do no wrong right?! Thanks lady! xo
Michelle+@+Healthy+Recipe+Ecstasy says
Genuis!! I love that you made cauli tots and I love that you made them Mexi. And I just love everything about this dish!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha so much love! Thanks heaps Michelle!
Phi+@+The+Sweetphi+Blog says
I’m ALL about tater tots, just made a recipe with them…but these homemade cauliflower ones. OMG! They look so elegant and beautiful!
Taylor Kiser says
Aren’t any kind of tots the best?! Thanks girlfriend!
Liz+@+Floating+Kitchen says
Glad to hear you are not living in a box pile anymore!! This casserole looks like the perfect food to eat while I pretend to watch football games. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, I love “pretend” 😉 Thanks Liz!
Karly says
What?! This is so fun and creative! Love it!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Karly!
Rachel+@+Bakerita says
I want to eat all the tots!!! These look so so yummy, and in that casserole…ugh, dying. I need you to make me all the healthy dinners! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
I’ll come over, make you ALL the healthy dinner, and then make us dessert kay? 😉 Thanks girlfriend!
Christine says
Mmm…I love cauliflower rice…I bet I would love these (although my husband gave them his utmost attention until I told him they were cauliflower…I suspect that’s just because he hasn’t had a cup of coffee yet though…Mr. Grumpy Pants:p)
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! You just have to not tell them 😉 That’s the secret!
Thanks Christine!
Katya+@+Little+Broken says
Love the combo in this! Such a neat and different twist. Love, love!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Katya!
Patricia+@+Grab+a+Plate says
Absolutely loving this! Passed along to my sister who I know will love it, too 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Patricia, it means a lot! 😀
Meggan+|+Culinary+Hill says
What a clever use of cauliflower! I have seen it show up in the darndest places, but never in tater tots! And this recipe has a million other things going for it – high protein, lots of cheese, yumminess everywhere! It should probably run for office!
Taylor Kiser says
HAHA! Cauli tots for president I say! Now that is a hyooooge compliment 😉 Thanks Meggan!
Valya @ Valya's Taste of Home says says
Yummy!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks!
Chelsea+@chelseasmessyapron says
Yay!! Congrats on finally being moved in!! And this looks like the perfect food to celebrate with 🙂 Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much lady! 😀
Cate+@+Chez+CateyLou says
This casserole. Wow. It looks so incredible! I love all the flavors, and I love that you used cauliflower! Always a great thing to lighten up football food!
Taylor Kiser says
Right?! Then we can eat more! Thanks Cate!
Karen+@+The+Food+Charlatan says
Hooray for the End of the Boxes! It’s always a great feeling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This looks amaaaazing!
Taylor Kiser says
Right?! It feels good to finally have a home!
Thanks girlfriend!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Yay, congrats on being on all moved in!! This casserole looks ah-maze-tots!!! Love cauliflower and this is genius – perfect game day meal! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
HAHA @ ah-maz-tots!! Thanks so much girl!
Julie+@+Julie's+Eats+&+Treats says
This looks amazing Taylor! Glad the new digs are treating you well except for the whole football thing!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, well, I can survive without football 😉 Thanks lady!
Amanda says
I’m loving everything about this!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much pretty lady!
Des+@+Life's+Ambrosia says
Ok so I must be out of the loop here because cauliflower tots are new to me! Loving them though! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
WHAT?! You must try them – SO much yum! Thanks Des!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
CAULIFLOWER TOTS?? Sorry about the shouting. BUT FOR REAL. LOVE.
Taylor Kiser says
No problem. Cauli-tots DESERVE a shout 😉 Thanks beautiful!
Miriam @ OvertimeCook says
This looks so good! I love that it’s healthier. I’ve got to try it!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Miriam!
Elizabeth says
Those look amazing! Maybe I can get my husband to finally eat cauliflower 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! I got mine too…crazy! 😉 Thanks Elizabeth!
Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com says
Hi Taylor! This recipe looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing! Definitely pinning to try!
-Michelle @ The Gracious Wife
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much for the love and pin Michelle! 😀
Susan | Simple Healthy Kitchen says
Oh YUM! Cauliflower tots smothered in cheese and salsa.. hello?! Brilliant! .. Gotta try that! & thanks for the link love to My Healthy Spinach and Artichoke dip bites 🙂 much appreciated
Taylor Kiser says
You are so welcome, they look bomb!
Thanks for the cauli love Susan!
GiGi Eats says
YOU are someone I want to cook with, SO BADLY!!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! Thanks girl!