This baked cauliflower cheese is rich, packed with cheese flavour and has a nice golden crunchy topping. Its the perfect side to have with your Christmas dinner or Sunday roast.

About Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a vegetable that is now available all year around. Its a cool season vegetable that doesn’t like hot temperatures. Which is why its typical peak season is in Autumn. You can find and grow many different types of cauliflowers that can range in hues from white, purple, green and orange/yellow.
What to look for when buying Cauliflower
When buying cauliflower you want to make sure
- The head is firm and compact
- White varieties should be very pale with no dark spots
- Thick leaves wrapped around the cauliflower
If the cauliflower is starting to show signs of softness, do not purchase as this is one of the first signs of spoilage.
It’s Health Benefits & Nutrition
- Cauliflower contains more than 15 different types of vitamins and minerals, including choline which is not found in many foods. Choline is an essential nutrient to support your metabolism, memory, mood, muscle control and other brain and nervous system functions.
- Additionally it has a high water content (92%) that contributes to its low calories, providing just 25 calories per 100 grams.
Prepping the Cauliflower
Method
- Place the cauliflower on to a chopping board.
- Cut off the cauliflower leaves and cut the florets into individual pieces. Discard any big stalks and cut any big florets into halves.
- Add the cauliflower to a colander and wash.
- Bring a medium pot of generously salted water to the boil and add the cauliflower.
- Place a lid on the pot and boil for 5 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain the cauliflower and set to the side whilst you make the cheese sauce.
Making the Cheese Sauce
Method
- Get ready and measure the ingredients for the cheese sauce.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for 2-3 minutes mixing every 30 seconds to minute.
- Add one third of the milk and whisk vigorously. Once the mixture starts to thicken add another big splash of milk and continue mixing until the sauce starts to thicken again. Repeat this until you have used all the milk.
- Turn the heat down to very low and slowly mix in handfuls of cheese until you have incorporated all the cheese. Turn off the heat and stir in a tea spoon of mustard and some freshly grated nutmeg. Taste and season, adding a pinch of salt if necessary.
- Note: Once the mixture (béchamel sauce) starts getting hot is when it also starts to thicken.
Mixing and Baking the Cauliflower
Method
- Pour the cauliflower into the cheese sauce and mix.
- Transfer the cauliflower cheese to a baking tray. Sprinkle with panko crumbs and bake for 20-25 minutes at 180c until the top is golden brown.
More Recipes You May Like…
- Braised Red Cabbage
- Creamed Leeks
- Old Fashioned Shepherd’s Pie
- Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
- Traditional English Christmas Side Dishes
Baked Cauliflower Cheese
This baked cauliflower cheese is rich, packed with cheese flavour and has a nice golden crunchy topping. Its the perfect side to have with your Christmas dinner or Sunday roast.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Small to Medium Sized Baking Tray
Ingredients
- 1 large Cauliflower Cut into small florets & washed
- 60 g Butter
- 50 g Flour
- 600 ml Milk
- 200 g Mature Cheddar
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 pinch Nutmeg Freshly grated
- Sea Salt
- Panko Crumbs optional
Instructions
Prepping the Cauliflower
- Bring a medium pot of generously salted water to the boil and add the cauliflower. Place a lid on the pot and boil for 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain the cauliflower and set to the side whilst you make the cheese sauce.
- Preheat the oven to 180c.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for 2-3 minutes mixing every 30 seconds to minute.
- Add one third of the milk and whisk vigorously. Once the mixture starts to thicken add another big splash of milk and continue mixing until the sauce starts to thicken again. Repeat this until you have used all the milk.
- Turn the heat down to very low and slowly mix in handfuls of cheese until you have incorporated all the cheese. Turn off the heat and stir in a tea spoon of mustard and some freshly grated nutmeg. Taste and season, adding a pinch of salt if necessary.
Mixing and Baking the Cauliflower
- Pour the cauliflower into the cheese sauce and mix. Transfer the cauliflower cheese to a baking tray.
- Sprinkle with panko crumbs and bake for 20-25 minutes at 180c until the top is golden brown.
Nutrition
Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 18gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 439mgPotassium: 716mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 615IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 328mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!