Cauliflower Gratin
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Last Updated on February 22, 2021 by Lisa Johnson
Classic Cauliflower Gratin, also known as cauliflower cheese, is a traditional side dish that goes perfectly with roasted chicken, steak, and fish. Tender cauliflower is coated in a creamy white sauce, topped with cheddar cheese and baked to perfection!
What is Cauliflower Gratin?
It is a traditional British dish that can be eaten as a main course for lunch or diner, or as a side dish with roast meat and potatoes.
Cauliflower cheese consists of pieces of cauliflower that are lightly steamed and covered with a creamy cheese sauce and grated cheese.
Baked Cauliflower Gratin Ingredients:
- a large head of cauliflower broken down into pieces.
- Butter and flour to create a roux to thicken the sauce.
- Whole milk as the base of your sauce. I used Simple Truth Organic lactose-free milk.
- Sharp, white cheddar cheese. Cheese aged longer than 90 days is lactose-free.
- Dry mustard powder and nutmeg, along with sea salt and black pepper are added for additional flavoring.
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How to make Cauliflower Gratin:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a shallow, 1.5 to 2-quart casserole dish.
Place the cauliflower pieces in a steamer basket. Place the basket over simmering water in a large pot, cover and cook until fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to create a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk, constantly whisking to combine until completely smooth and all the milk has been added.
Bring mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally until sauce thickens and coats the back of the spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the cheese a bit at a time, reserving a handful for later. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
Tip: you could use a combination of other hard cheeses if you prefer.
Stir in the dry mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Spread the cooked cauliflower evenly in the casserole dish,
and pour the cheese sauce over the top.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly before serving.
It tastes just like macaroni and cheese without the added carbs in pasta.
Recipe Notes:
- The sauce thickens as it cools.
- Use gluten-free flour if needed.
- For added texture, you could mix 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs with the remaining grated cheese before adding to the casserole.
What to serve with Cauliflower Gratin:
- Oven Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
- Guinness Beer-Braised Chicken Thighs
- Perfect Grilled Steaks
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Simple Cod with Sautéed Spinach
- Guinness Glazed Salmon
Tools used to create this recipe
- 1.5-quart Casserole Dish – mine is 2-quart.
- Box Grater
- Wire Whisk
- Steamer Basket
- Stock Pot
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Enjoy!!
Cauliflower Gratin
Equipment
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower broken into florets
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- .25 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- pinch sea salt
- .13 teaspoon black pepper 1/8th
- 8 ounces sharp white cheddar grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a shallow, 1.5 to 2-quart casserole dish.
- Place the cauliflower pieces in a steamer basket. Place the basket over simmering water in a large pot, cover and cook until fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk, constantly whisking to combine until completely smooth and all the milk has been added. Bring mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally until sauce thickens and coats the back of the spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cheese a bit at a time, reserving a handful for later. Stir until cheese is completely melted. Stir in the dry mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Spread the cooked cauliflower evenly in the casserole dish, and pour the cheese sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.* Bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- The sauce thickens as it cools.
- *For added texture, you could mix 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs with the remaining grated cheese before adding to the casserole.
