Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
A simple and delicious Cheesy cauliflower bake – classic comfort food. A wonderful vegetarian accompaniment to anything from Sunday supper to Holiday feasts.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 359
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs cauliflower approximately 1 large head, cut into even sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1½ cup cheddar cheese grated
- black pepper Freshly ground to taste
- ½ cup cheddar cheese for the top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Steam in a steamer or microwave until slightly tender (about 5 minutes) and drain any moisture.
- If necessary, drain and allow to dry before using. Add to an 8x8 baking dish and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan melt the butter and then mix in the flour to form a paste.
- While mixing constantly, slowly pour in the milk until smooth.
- Mix in the salt, and Parmesan cheese until combined.
- Mix in 1 cup of cheddar until melted.
- Mix in the pepper.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the steamed cauliflower in the pan.
- Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar
- Bake until cheese is melty and deeply golden, 30 minutes.
Video
Notes
- For the most tender cauliflower, be sure to remove the cores and stems.
- Cut the cauliflower into equally sized florets to ensure even cooking.
- When steaming the cauliflower, be sure to season with salt to avoid bland cauliflower.
- Steam until slightly tender, but not soft. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- To use frozen cauliflower: just follow the instructions on the package to cook, but subtract a few minutes to allow it to finish cooking in the sauce. Drain well then follow the recipe from step three.
- Be sure your cooked cauliflower is drained and dry before adding it to the sauce.
- Have all your ingredients ready before you start the sauce. Things move fast when making a cheese sauce. If you have to stop to grate cheese, it could end in disaster.
- When adding the milk, pour slowly while mixing it in at the same time. Stir until thick and smooth.
- Taste before seasoning the sauce before seasoning. Some cheese is quite salty to taste and season as needed.
- For a crunchy topping swap the cheddar cheese topping with Parmesan cheese. It will become golden and crisp.
- Add a teaspoon of mustard or garlic powder to the sauce for extra depth of flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 359 | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1154mg | Potassium: 213mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 12.9mg | Calcium: 531mg | Iron: 0.8mg