Cauliflower and Cheese

Cyd Converse

Learn how to make cauliflower and cheese, the beautifully creamy side dish that's full of flavor

Cauliflower often gets a bad rap, which we think is a shame. It's a nutritious vegetable that - when cooked right - can be utterly delicious.

Cauliflower Cheese Photo

Unfortunately, though, most of us grew up eating cauliflower that had been boiled to death. The result was a soggy, unappetizing side dish that put some of us off cauliflower for life!

If you're one of them, then we urge you to give this recipe a try - it'll change the way you see this versatile vegetable.

Cauliflower Cheese Picture

The secret is in the roasting

Instead of being boiled, the cauliflower in this recipe is roasted. Roasting is hands down the best way to cook cauliflower - it brings out its natural sweetness in a way no other cooking method can. 

It also produces deliciously tender florets, rather than the watery, mushy ones you may recall from childhood.

Cauliflower Cheese Image

The baked cauliflower is then topped with a rich and creamy cheese sauce. We think you'll agree that the two make an unbeatable combination.

What to eat with cauliflower and cheese

This dish is great served as a side with a protein such as chicken, fish or even ham

But you can serve it all by itself as a main meal if you choose. You might like to add in a few extra ingredients to make it more substantial - try cubed cooked chicken, or chopped pancetta with cherry tomatoes. Yum!

Cauliflower Cheese Pic

More great ways with cauliflower

Whilst we love cauliflower and cheese, there are lots of other wonderful ways to prepare this vegetable that taste amazing.

This Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Soup is a soul-warming comfort food that’s paleo friendly, whilst this Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower recipe creates a very simple, but very tasty, snack.

Or for something a little different, why not try this Indian Cauliflower Pizza recipe? It's surprisingly good! Or these Cauliflower Fritters, which taste incredible topped with hummus.

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Cauliflower and Cheese

    4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Bechamel Sauce
  • 2 cups Gruyere Cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 pinch of Ground Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 large head Cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Coarse Sea Salt
  • Coarse Ground Black Pepper

Directions

  1. Whisk the cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper into warm bechamel sauce. Cover and keep warm.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 
  3. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil, salt and pepper and spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
  4. Roast for 10 minutes, stir, then continue to roast for around 10 minutes more, until tender.
  5. Serve topped with the cheese sauce.
Source: Martha Stewart
Published:
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Source:
Martha Stewart
Category:
Side Dishes
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Related Recipes:
Cauliflower Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Cheese Recipes
Recipe Yields:
4 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Cyd Converse
Source: Martha Stewart
Recipe Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving
Servings Per Recipe 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 328
Calories 603

% Daily Value*
63%
Total Fat 41g
99%
  Saturated Fat 20g
18%
Sodium 443mg
10%
Total Carbohydrate 31g
7%
  Dietary Fiber 5g
  Sugars 13g
54%
Protein 27g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.

Cyd is a native of Upstate New York, born to a family of women who love to cook and host parties. She shares her love of all things food, home and entertaining on her blog, The Sweetest Occasion and on Instagram.

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