Simple Cauliflower Cheese
This classic and comforting side dish is always a winner. Cauliflower is mixed through a cheese sauce and baked in the oven until golden and bubbling. Give this simple cauliflower cheese recipe a try today!
Simple, Cozy and Comforting Cauliflower Cheese
Such a classic side dish in many homes. Cauliflower cheese works perfectly for all occasions, from quick and easy week night dinners to elaborate Christmas feasts. The thick cheesy sauce, mixed with the fresh, soft bites of cauliflower is always a great combo.
I like to keep it simple as a side, seasoned with lots of white pepper and paired with saucy meats like slow cooked saucy ribs or meatloaf.
You can even add in some extra flavors to make it something new. Mustard or nutmeg are great flavor boosters as is sauteed leeks or crispy bacon bits.
Use this recipe as a tried and tested classic or take it as a simple starting point to create your own decadent cauliflower cheese variations.
Ingredients
Cauliflower – A medium sized cauliflower will be perfect for this recipe. You will want about 1 kg of cauliflower once you cut it up into bite sized florets. You could also use a combination of broccoli and cauliflower for this recipe. Just make sure that your total uncooked weight is about 1kg.
Cheese – Any firm, grateable cheese will work well for this recipe. You will need 1 cup in total. Half will be used in the sauce and the rest will be used on top.
Butter, flour and milk – These make up the base of your sauce.
Vegetable stock powder – Vegetable stock brightens the flavor of your cauliflower cheese. Use half a teaspoon of powdered vegetable stock or one oxo cube. You could also substitute this with a chicken stock cube for a different flavor boost.
Breadcrumbs – An optional extra to give your topping a little bit of extra crunch. Use dried breadcrumbs not fresh.
Tips and tricks
- A silicone spatula works better than a whisk. A silicone spatula will help you make sure that you are scraping the entire base of the pan, which allows the sauce to cook evenly. Slow controlled stirring will also mean less lumps and less chance of your sauce splitting.
- Use a heavy bottomed, non stick pan. This will disperse the heat more evenly through your cheese sauce, stopping it from burning and sticking to the bottom of your pan.
- Strain out any lumps. Sometimes things don’t go to plan and sauces can end up lumpy, simply strain your sauce and heat till warm for a simple fix.
- Make sure that your cauliflower is not fully cooked when you par boil it. You want the pieces to still have a little bit of firmness to them. That way when they are baked in the cheese sauce later they will finish cooking through and will be perfectly tender when your cauliflower cheese is ready to serve.
Making ahead of time.
This recipe is perfect for making ahead of time. Simple prepare your cauliflower cheese up to the point where you have transferred it into your baking dish. Cover with cling film or tin foil and store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Sprinkle the grated cheese and bread crumbs over your pre prepared cauliflower cheese just before baking. This recipe can be made up to 48 hours before you are ready to make it.
Simple Cauliflower Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Cut your cauliflower into small bite sized pieces.
- Simmer your cauliflower in a large saucepan of salted water until it is almost tender.
- Drain the cauliflower in a colander and set aside while you prepare your cheese sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees, fan bake.
- Melt your butter in a large saucepan, on a medium heat. When the butter has melted add in the flour and mix until it is well combined and bubbling.
- Add half a cup of your of your milk. Mix through until the mixture is smooth. Next add in the remaining milk and vegetable stock powder, mix well to combine.
- Reduce the temperature slightly and continue to heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
- Mix in half of your grated cheese. Heat and stir for another minute or until the cheese has completely melted then season with salt and pepper.
- Add your drained cauliflower to your cheese sauce and stir gently to combine.
- Transfer your mixture into a medium sized baking dish. Sprinkle over the remaining grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 30 minutes (180 degrees, fan bake) or until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my simple cauliflower cheese recipe. I hope you enjoy trying this out for yourself. Please feel free to add any questions or comments below. I am happy to help out wherever possible and I would love to hear how this recipe worked out for you.
