Cauliflower Cheese
Here is a straightforward way to make Cauliflower Cheese at home, with a clear ingredient list and step-by-step instructions you can follow without guesswork. Most of the time is hands-off while the oven does its thing, which makes it an easy one to fit around other dishes. Below you will find the full ingredient list, the method, and a few tips we think make the difference.
- Cook 20 min
- Total 20 min
- Serves 1
- Level Easy
Ingredients
- 1 large Cauliflower head
- 300 ml (10 oz / 1 0.25 cups) white sauce
- 100 g (3.5 oz) parmesan
- 30 g (1.1 oz) unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tbsp To taste Pepper
Method
- Cut your cauliflower into small florets, and place them heads down into a bowl of salty water to dress them for an hour.
- Drain florets, and add them to a saucepan of salted boiling water. Cook, uncovered, regularly checking the feel of the cauliflower with a knife to see when they are ready. Your knife should go smoothly, but with some firmness to the cauliflower still.
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/390°F/gas 6).
- Once the cauliflower has cooked, drain the florets and lay them in a dish of your choice. Combine the white sauce with ?
- Place your dish into the oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for the best Cauliflower Cheese
- Rest the finished dish for a few minutes before serving — it lets the flavours settle and the texture firm up.
- Preheat the oven fully before anything goes in — a cold start changes the texture.
- Read the whole method before you start and measure out the 7 ingredients first — it keeps the pace relaxed once the heat is on.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
Variations
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Spicier version: add a pinch of chilli flakes or a sliced fresh chilli with the aromatics.
- Individual portions: divide into ramekins or a muffin tin and reduce the baking time by about a third.
Serving ideas
Serve alongside a grilled main or as part of a shared table.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Cauliflower Cheese recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 7 ingredients and 6 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Can I make Cauliflower Cheese ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
How many people does this Cauliflower Cheese recipe serve?
As written it serves 1. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 1×2.
What can I substitute for cauliflower head?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
How long does Cauliflower Cheese take to make?
About 20 minutes in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
0 comments