I love any side dish that can stand alone as a main course or be the star of whatever meal is being served. Cauliflower Gratin is just such a dish. The recipe is super easy, a fool-proof winner and perfect for any kind of weather or season.
Let me tell you, this is so good I recently gave it as a birthday present and the recipient was thrilled! In the recipe, I’ll share what my favorite cheese is to use, but experiment to your own taste and whatever you have available. Cook’s note: This recipe shines if the cheese is has a sharp bite to it. I’ve made it with milder cheeses and was a little disappointed. A hint of nutmeg adds to the creaminess of this dish. You can easily change this to a gluten-free option by substituting almond or quinoa flour to the roux.
Oh dear, I think I want to make this again tonight! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
p.s. My husband is not a fan of cauliflower but he loves this recipe!
Cauliflower Gratin
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower cut into florets
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted if possible
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour or quinoa, almond or other gluten-free flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
- 1/8 heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg or more to taste
- 1/2 cup grated sharp cheese like Jarlsberg Irish Swiss or gruyere - divided
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan more or less to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place cauliflower florets on a microwave-safe plate and cover with wet paper towel.
- Microwave on high for about four minutes, until crisp-tender.
- Place the cauliflower in a single layer into an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk until it makes a bubbly paste.
- Gradually add the milk and stir until the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, nutmeg and half of the sharp cheese. (Do not add the parmesan yet.)
- Spoon the sauce over the cauliflower florets and sprinkle with remaining sharp cheese as well as the parmesan.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese sauce is soft and slightly golden.
- As written, this recipe serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course.
Recipe adapted from Dinners and Dreams.
My husband and I loved it! The nutmeg was a nice touch without overwhelming the dish. served it with grilled steak.
A huge hit with the family! I added a tsp of Horseradish to give a little kick. Delicious Sally thank you for sharing.
One of my favorite ways to make cauliflower. I add a dash of Frank’s Hot Sauce on top. There’s never any leftovers–we usually eat the whole dish in one sitting. I like to serve this with meatloaf.
Sorry, I forgot to rate this.
This is super tasty. I’ve made it 3 times in the past month and a half. If you’re like me and don’t want to microwave your food, just cover it with foil after 20 minutes and bake for another ten minutes. Great recipe, thanks.
Awesome Mari! Thanks for the tip on covering with foil. I try not to microwave very much either and this will be my new method.
Trying this one for sure!!
Ronnie,
We LOVE this. I make it all the time. The secret is to make sure that whatever cheese you use, make it sharp! 🙂
Just at the grocery store last night I passed over the cauliflower thinking that I never know what to make with it! I won’t be passing over it next time, this looks scrumptious!
This was wonderful! Will definitely make again!
Sandy, I’m glad you liked it. I make it A LOT, myself! 🙂