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Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Recipe

Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Recipe

A comforting and decadent dish featuring tender cauliflower florets smothered in a rich, creamy three-cheese sauce, baked under a crispy, golden breadcrumb topping.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 630

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head of cauliflower about 1kg, broken into bite-sized florets
  • 50 g unsalted butter
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 600 ml whole milk slightly warmed
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
  • 150 g mature cheddar cheese grated
  • 75 g Gruyère cheese grated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Topping
  • 50 g fresh breadcrumbs panko works well for extra crunch
  • 25 g Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat Your Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Lightly butter a medium-sized baking dish (around 20x30cm).
  2. Prepare the Cauliflower: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are just tender-crisp. You don't want them soft. Drain them thoroughly and let them steam-dry in the colander for a few minutes to get rid of excess water. This step is crucial for a thick sauce.
  3. Start the Béchamel Sauce: While the cauliflower drains, melt the 50g of butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour to form a paste, known as a roux. Cook this for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells slightly nutty.
  4. Build the Sauce: Gradually pour the warm milk into the roux, a little at a time, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. What works best for me is adding about 100ml at first and whisking it into a thick, smooth paste before adding the rest of the milk in a slow, steady stream. For more tips, BBC Good Food has a great guide on how to make a perfect béchamel sauce.
  5. Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Add the Flavour: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, grated nutmeg, and most of the grated cheddar and Gruyère (reserving a small handful of each for the top). Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  7. Assemble the Bake: Arrange the drained cauliflower florets in your prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top, making sure to get it into all the gaps.
  8. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and the reserved cheddar and Gruyère. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to combine.
  9. Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cauliflower cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling deliciously around the edges.
  10. Rest and Serve: Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve.

Notes

Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.