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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Easy Cauliflower Cheese

    Published: Jun 18, 2021 · Modified: Aug 10, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Pictures of cheesy cauliflower with text: Easy cauliflower gratin.
    Casserole of cheesy cauliflower with text: How to make Cauliflower Cheese Gratin.

    This easy Cauliflower Cheese recipe is a creamy and cheesy comfort food dish that’s a British favorite. The delicious cauliflower gratin bake can be served as an everyday side dish or bring to a holiday feast for Christmas or as a compliment to a Sunday roast. 

    Spoonful of cauliflower cheese coming out of the serving dish.

    When I think of British comfort food classics, cauliflower cheese always comes to mind.

    It's creamy, cheesy and full of cauliflower goodness. A delicious side dish.

    For this cauliflower gratin dish, you’ll need fresh cauliflower that gets cooked until tender. A simple cheese sauce is then made using cheese and milk which is poured over the cooked cauliflower. Then bake it until bubbling! Easy peasy.

    Traditionally, this dish is served during the Christmas holiday, or for a Sunday roast, but you can make it any time.

    Cauliflower in cheese sauce makes a wonderful side dish when paired with any protein or can be eaten on its own.

    Customize it by adding different seasonings, cheeses, or your favorite veggies for a dish that will stay on your recipe rotation.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Tutorial
    • Tips 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Special diets
    • Storage 
    • FAQs 
    • Side Dishes
    • More Cauliflower Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    The cauliflower keeps it light even though it’s very satisfying.

    The creamy cheese sauce is a delight for kids and adults.

    A tasty alternative to mac and cheese.

    Cauliflower is a healthy cruciferous vegetable.

    It’s the perfect side dish to bring to a holiday or Sunday meal.

    You can customize the seasonings and vegetables to make it your own.

    It's a quick and easy side dish.

    A family-friendly recipe.

    This is a budget-friendly side dish.

    Dish of cauliflower in cheese sauce.

    Ingredients

    • Fresh Cauliflower - You’ll need a head of cauliflower for this recipe that’s cut into bite-sized florets.
    • Milk - Gives the cheese its creamy sauce texture.
    • All-Purpose Flour (plain flour) - Helps to thicken the sauce. 
    • Butter - Adds a rich buttery flavor and texture to the sauce.
    • Cheese - You can use cheddar or a mix of red Leicester, gruyere, parmesan, or whatever you enjoy!

    Step By Step Tutorial

    Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

    Collage: 1 chopped cauliflower, 2 in a pot.

    Step 1.  Cook the cauliflower.

    Cut the cauli into florets. Cut any really large ones into smaller pieces so they're roughly the same size.

    Add them to a pot of boiling water and par-boil (partially cook) them for about 5 mins or until just cooked, but not too soft. This is because they'll cook further in the oven. Drain well.

    Collage: 1 melted butter in a pan, 2 flour stirred in.

    Step 2. Make the cheese sauce.

    Melt the butter in a medium pot, then whisk in the flour.

    Collage: milk whisked in, cheese added.

    Keep the pan on the heat and add the milk, a little at a time, whisking until thick and creamy. Stir in the cheese until it melts.

    Collage: Casserole dish of cauliflower, cheese sauce added.

    Step 3. Bake the cauliflower cheese. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower in a casserole dish, then sprinkle the top of it with the remaining cheese. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

    Tip: you can try sprinkling a little smoked paprika over the top, or adding breadcrumbs before baking for a crispy texture.

    Tips 

    You can use frozen cauliflower to make this casserole, just make sure it is thawed and completely drained of any excess liquid or water before adding to the casserole dish.

    When preparing the cauliflower, make sure you cut the florets into bite-sized pieces that are all roughly the same size.

    For an alternative cauliflower gratin, try roasting the cauliflower in the oven instead of boiling it.

    Serving Suggestions

    Typically, cauliflower cheese is served as a side dish to a British Sunday roast dinner.

    Serve it as a hearty side dish to a Portobello Mushroom Steak or Stuffed Butternut Squash.

    Pairs well with a Vegan Stuffed Pepper. 

    Makes a great side dish for Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving.

    Serve it as a vegetarian main dish.

    Serve alongside Air Fried Pierogies.

    Close up of a pan of cauliflower gratin.

    Variations

    Add 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to the top of the cauliflower cheese casserole before baking for a crunchy crust. You could also add a little garlic powder or Italian herbs to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.

    For a light smoky flavor, add a sprinkling of 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the top.

    Add half broccoli or romanesco to change up the flavor.

    To make a mornay sauce, add 1 teaspoon of mustard powder to the cheese sauce.

    Give it a hint of warming flavor by adding ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to the cheese sauce.

    Change up the cheese by adding your favorite mix of varieties.

    Special diets

    To Make Gluten-Free:  To make this recipe gluten-free, you’ll need to use gluten-free flour or thickener to create the cheese sauce.

    To Make It Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, you’ll need to use dairy-free butter, milk, and cheese. You can even skip the cheese and add 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for a natural cheesy flavor.

    Storage 

    Storing: Store any leftover cheesy cauliflower bake in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

    Freezing: If freezing, place in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. If you’d like to freeze in a casserole dish or pan, wrap the outside tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before freezing. It will stay fresh for 3-4 months. For best results, bake from frozen uncovered at 350F for 30-45 minutes or until warmed through.

    Prep ahead: You can assemble your cauliflower casserole ahead of time (unbaked) and keep it in the fridge, covered for up to 3 days. Then bake and serve. You can also bake it, then cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days, then reheat in the oven (you may need to cover it in foil so it doesn't over-brown.)

    Spoon in a dish of cheesy cauliflower.

    FAQs 

    Why is my cauliflower cheese watery?

    If you don't par-boil the cauliflower, then it will cook in the oven and release a lot of moisture. Ensure it's lightly cooked before putting it into the casserole dish. Also, ensure your cheese sauce is thick before pouring over the cauliflower. If necessary, use less milk or add a little more flour.

    What do I eat with cauliflower cheese?

    This dish is a great side for proteins such as chicken, steak, or vegetarian meals. It also compliments other side dishes well!

    Does cauliflower cheese have carbs?

    There will be a small number of carbs in the milk, cauliflower, and cheese, but overall, this is a low-carb side dish and a great low-carb alternative to mac n cheese.

    Side Dishes

    Be sure to try these other vegetable side dish recipes too!

    • Green Beans Almondine
    • Braised Red Cabbage
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar
    • Maple Glazed Carrots with Cayenne
    • Easy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Roasted Swede (Rutabaga)
    • Easy Roasted Curried Parsnips
    • Vichy Carrots (Carottes à la Vichy)

    More Cauliflower Recipes

    I hope you love this easy cauliflower cheese recipe as much as we do! Be sure to try these other tasty recipes to use up cauliflower.

    • Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower with Herb Dressing
    • Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic and Paprika
    • Vegan Butter Chicken (Cauliflower)
    • Easy Baked Cauliflower Wings
    • Roasted Cauliflower Soup
    • Cauliflower Banana Bundt Cake
    • Chocolate Cauliflower Popsicles
    • Chocolate Cauliflower Cake with Caramel Frosting
    Collage of quick vegan dinner recipes.

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    📖 Recipe

    Spoonful of cauliflower cheese coming out of the serving dish.

    Cauliflower Cheese

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    This easy Cauliflower Cheese recipe is a creamy and cheesy comfort food dish that’s a British favorite side dish or vegetarian main.
    5 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine British
    Servings 6
    Calories 267 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Knife
    • Pot
    • casserole dish
    • Oven
    • stove

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 large cauliflower about 600g (leaves cut off), cut into florets
    • 2¼ cups (500ml) milk
    • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (plain flour)
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1½ cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese divided (or try a mix of red leicester, gruyere, parmesan etc)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 430°F / 220°C.
    • Bring a large pot of water to the boil, then add the cauliflower florets and cook for 5 mins or until just cooked. Drain then pour it into an oven safe baking dish.
    • Melt the butter in a medium pot, then whisk in the flour. Keep the pan on the heat and add the milk, a little at a time, whisking until thick and creamy. Stir in the cheese until it melts.
    • Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, then sprinkle the top of it with the remaining cheese.
    • Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can use frozen cauliflower to make this dish, just make sure it is completely drained of any excess liquid or water before adding to the casserole dish.
    • When preparing the cauliflower, make sure you cut the florets into bite-sized pieces that are all roughly the same size.
    • To keep as much moisture out as possible, try roasting the cauliflower in the oven instead of boiling it.
    • Add 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to the top before baking for a crunchy crust.
    • For a light smoky flavor, add a sprinkling of 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the top.
    • Add 1 teaspoon of mustard powder to the cheese sauce.
    • Give it a hint of warming flavor by adding ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to the cheese sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 12gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 446mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 607IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 334mgIron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Mexican Quinoa Salad
    • Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
    • Roasted Radishes
    • Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth

      June 24, 2021 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      This is so creamy and delicious! My husbands favorite for any day of the week he can get it!

      Reply
    2. cyndy

      June 21, 2021 at 6:26 am

      5 stars
      This was just so comforting and delicious! And, it made me wonder why I only make these types of dishes around the holidays because they are perfect year-round!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      June 18, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing and so delicious! My family is going to love this and I can't wait to make this for the weekend!

      Reply
    4. Jess

      June 18, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      These are definitely creamy and cheesy! Two of my favorite things in any recipe!

      Reply
    5. Biana

      June 18, 2021 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! We love cauliflower, and cauliflower with cheese is the perfect combination!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

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    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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