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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

    Published: Oct 12, 2021 · Modified: Sep 17, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are looking for a simple, quick yet extremely delicious side dish for your Sunday roast, Easter lunch, or Thanksgiving table, this Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole (or Cauliflower Cheese) recipe is perfect for you.

    a forkful of cauliflower cheese

    I promise this scrumptious British comfort food will turn the whole family into cauliflower lovers!

    This delicious roasted cauliflower with cheese is not just a perfect side dish but also a tasty vegetarian main meal when served with some nice crusty bread and Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans on the side.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • You can make this delicious Baked Cheesy Cauliflower 3 days in advance and cook it when needed.
    • Cauliflower Cheese Bake is the classic side dish for any roast dinner, whether it's a family gathering, Christmas dinner, or a weekday meal for two.
    • You can serve this roasted cauliflower with cheese as a main vegetarian dish with a bowl of Tomato and Walnut Salad (Gavurdagi Salatasi) or Taboule (Lebanese Tabouli Salad), and some Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread).
    • This foolproof Baked Cheesy Cauliflower recipe requires just a few basic ingredients and turns out perfectly every time if you follow the recipe to the letter.

    How to Make the Perfect Béchamel?

    Béchamel is one of the 5 basic sauces of French cuisine.

    It is often used in recipes such as Lasagna Recipe without Ricotta Cheese, Greek Moussaka (Mousaka), Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese, and Easy Fish Pie with Leeks.

    Although it is very simple to make the béchamel sauce, there are a few basic rules to make it properly:

    • Firstly, stir the béchamel constantly: Melt the butter and stir in the flour until it forms a roux; whisk as you add the milk gradually. Make sure to move the whisk around the entire pan, too, whisking around the sides and across the base to stop the sauce from catching.
    • Secondly, use the right ratio of ingredients: Use an equal amount of butter and flour to start the roux, and then add the milk gradually until the desired consistency.
    • Lastly, add the milk a little at a time. If you add the milk all at once, the roux will get lumpy.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, the complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Labelled picture of ingredients for cheesy cauliflower bake
    • Head of cauliflower - It is a healthy and delicious vegetable full of nutrition. Use fresh cauliflower with clear white fleurets for the best results. You can use half broccoli and half cauliflower for this recipe.
    • Butter - Use good quality unsalted butter. To make the bechamel, make sure it is totally melted before adding the flour. 
    • Milk - I use full-fat or semi-skimmed milk for the bechamel sauce. Add it slowly in small batches to the butter and flour mixture for a velvety sauce.
    • Nutmeg - It is the perfect spice for the bechamel sauce. I use freshly grated nutmeg for a more intense flavor and freshness.
    • Cheddar Cheese - Mature or extra mature cheddar adds a bit of kick to the sauce. You can substitute it with gruyere or gouda.
    • Breadcrumbs - I use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispness but you can use any type of breadcrumb you have in hand. You can substitute it with cornflakes. Just blitz it in a food processor before using the cornflakes.

    How to Make Cauliflower Cheese Bake?

    This is a very simple recipe with a few easy steps that you need to follow to achieve the best results:

    Parboil the Cauliflower

    Trim the whole cauliflower head and then cut it into bite-sized florets.

    cauliflower florets

    In a large saucepan, bring enough water to boil and cook the florets for 6 to 8 minutes, until firm but tender. Put the florets in a colander and let them drain while preparing the cheese sauce.

    Lightly cooked cauliflower fleurets

    Prepare the Cheese Sauce

    Preheat the fan oven to 180° C (360° F). To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat and stir in the flour. Mix well using a wooden spatula or a whisk and cook for two minutes, stirring all the time.

    flour and melted butter are mixes in a pan to make béchamel sauce

    Whisk in a little of the warm milk at a time, stirring continuously until you have a smooth, velvety sauce. Cook on low heat for a few minutes, stirring all the time until the sauce has thickened and the flour taste has disappeared.

    cheese sauce ready for cheesy baked cauliflower

    Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the salt, nutmeg, and 100 g of the shredded cheese. Although this cauliflower bake is traditionally made with cheddar cheese, you can replace it with any other hard cheese you like.

    grated cheddar is added to the sauce

    Combine and Bake

    Place the drained cauliflower in a 23 cm (9") Ø oven dish or a casserole dish in a single layer, then pour the creamy sauce over it. Give it a quick stir to combine the cheesy sauce with the cauliflower.

    Cauliflower fleurets cowered with cheese sauce

    Sprinkle the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs on top. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.

    cheese and breadcrumbs are sprinkled on top of cauliflower

    Cook it for about 35-40 minutes, until it's bubbling inside and golden brown outside.

    Cauliflower cheese baked until golden and crispy

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Cook the cauliflower al dente, overcooked cauliflower makes the Cauliflower Cheese Bake watery.
    • Let the cooked cauliflower fleurets drain and ensure they are totally dry before mixing them with the cheese sauce.
    • The homemade cheese sauce (a.k.a white sauce) is the most crucial element of this entire recipe. You can refer to the tips above and watch the video on the recipe card to master the art of creating a perfectly silky béchamel sauce every time.
    • Don't skimp on the cheese, this deliciously cheesy cauliflower side dish is meant to be cheesy!

    Serving Suggestions

    Cauliflower cheese bake is the best accompaniment for roast dinner, whether it is a family Sunday lunch or a big celebratory Christmas dinner.

    Serve this great side dish along with Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, Turkey Shepherd's Pie, Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts, Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes, Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans, and Swede and Carrot Mash for a family feast!

    It also goes great with roast or grilled meat or sausages such as Air Fryer Sausage, Chuck Roast in Oven, Mince Beef Pie, Dutch Oven Roast Chicken, and Grilled Lamb Kofta.

    You can serve Baked Cheesy Cauliflower as a main dish along with Bazlama(Turkish Flatbread) or a slice of Homemade Sandwich Bread and a bowl of Greek Cucumber Salad or Tomato and Walnut Salad (Gavurdagi Salatasi).

    Recipe Variations

    • Add crispy bacon pieces to the cauliflower and cheese mixture for a smoky, savory twist.
    • Combine cauliflower and broccoli florets for a colorful and nutritious casserole.
    • Replace some of the cheddar with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
    • Brown and crumble sausage and layer it between the cauliflower and cheese for a flavorful casserole.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you make cauliflower cheese bake in advance?

    Yes, you can make the cauliflower cheese one or two days in advance and keep it in the fridge until you want to bake it. Make sure you take the dish out of the fridge an hour before baking in order to bring it to room temperature.

    How to reheat cauliflower cheese?

    You can reheat leftover cauliflower cheese in the microwave for 2 minutes on medium heat.
    Alternatively, you can reheat it in a preheated oven for 10 to 25 minutes or until piping hot in an oven-safe dish.
    Make sure to cover it with tin foil or a lid to avoid it over-browning.

    Why is my Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole watery?

    The main reason your cheesy cauliflower bake goes watery is you probably overcooked your cauliflower.
    Also, make sure you let the cauliflower drain and totally dry before adding it to the bechamel sauce.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious British recipes why not try:

    • creamy mushroom pie freshly baked
      Mushroom And Leek Pie
    • swede and carrot mash garnished with chives
      Swede and Carrot Mash
    • apple crumble served with custard and ice cream
      Apple and Blueberry Crumble
    • traditional cottage pie
      Easy Cottage Pie

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Casserole as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun! 

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    Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

    Ayla Clulee
    If you are looking for a simple, quick yet extremely delicious side dish for your Sunday roast or Thanksgiving dinner, this Baked Cheesy CauliflowerCasserole (or Cauliflower Cheese) recipe is perfect for you. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine british, English
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 371 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Saucepan
    • 1 cheese grater
    • 1 Rubber spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 large cauliflower (around 800 grams)
    • 60 g butter
    • 60 g all-purpose flour
    • 550 ml milk (full fat or semi-skimmed)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • pinch of nutmeg
    • 150 g cheddar cheese (100 g+50 g separately) (grated)
    • 20 g breadcrumbs

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the cauliflower into florets and cook in boiling water for 6-8 minutes, until firm but tender.
    • Put the florets in a colander and let them drain while preparing the cheese sauce.
    • Preheat the fan oven to 180° C (360° F).
    • To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat and stir in the flour.
    • Mix well using a wooden spatula or a whisk and cook for two minutes stirring all the time.
    • Whisk in a little of the warm milk at a time stirring continuously until you have a smooth, velvety sauce.
    • Cook on low heat for few minutes stirring all the time until the sauce has thickened and the flour taste has disappeared.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the salt, nutmeg and 100 g grated cheddar cheese.
    • Place the drained cauliflowers in a 23 cm Ø oven dish and pour the cheese sauce over. Give it a quick stir to combine the cheese sauce with the cauliflower.
    • Sprinkle the 50 grams grated cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs on top of the cauliflowers.
    • Place the oven dish in preheated oven and cook for about 35-40 minutes, until it's bubbling inside and golden brown outside.

    Video

    Notes

    • Cook the cauliflower al dente, overcooked cauliflower makes the Cauliflower Cheese watery!
    • Let the cauliflower fleurets drain and make sure the are totally dry before adding them to the cheese sauce.
    • The cheesy béchamel sauce is the most important part of the whole recipe. Read the tips above and watch the video in the recipe card to learn how to make perfectly silky béchamel sauce each time!
    • Don't skimp on the cheese, this delicious British side dish is meant to be cheesy!
    • You can make the cauliflower cheese one or two days in advance and keep it in the fridge until you want to bake it.
    • Although this dish is traditionally made with cheddar cheese, you can replace it with any other hard cheese you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 698mgPotassium: 892mgFiber: 5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 623IUVitamin C: 101mgCalcium: 501mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Annabel

      October 19, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love cauliflower-cheese ! as a side or main, works either ways.

      Reply
      • aylaclulee

        October 20, 2021 at 7:08 am

        Hi Annabel
        I can't agree more. It is such a simple dish yet satisfying 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sue

      October 19, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was excellent. Creamy and a great taste and easy to follow directions…. and makes great leftovers also!

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        October 19, 2022 at 8:39 pm

        Thank you Sue, I am glad you loved it!

        Reply
    3. Dana

      October 20, 2022 at 4:47 am

      5 stars
      Made this tonight and served as side dish. The family enjoyed it. Such an amazing winter dish.

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        October 20, 2022 at 4:48 am

        Thank you Dana for your lovely comment, I am glad to hear that!
        Ayla x

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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