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  • The Main Dish
  • 30 Minutes or Less
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Cauliflower Gratin

11 Comments

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Cauliflower Gratin is great as a side or meatless main dish and easy to prepare. Using a slightly sharp cheese in the sauce and a touch of nutmeg, this is true comfort food for any time of year.

Cauliflower Au Gratin on a blue plate

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 Au Gratin up close on a blue plate

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5 from 3 votes

Cauliflower Gratin

Make this for an impressive side to any meal of for a meatless main dish. Use one of the cheeses listed below or substitute your own but it should be a sharp cheese.
Course Side Dish or Vegetarian Main Dish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 sides
Calories 252
Author Good Dinner Mom

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
  • ⅛ tsp heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg, or more to taste
  • ½ cup grated sharp cheese like Jarlsberg, Irish Swiss or gruyere - divided
  • ¼ 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 4 Tablespoons butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
  • Add 3 Tablespoons flour and whisk until it makes a bubbly paste.
  • Gradually add 1 ½ cups milk and stir until the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
  • Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ cup the sharp cheese. (Do not add the parmesan yet.)
  • Spoon the sauce over the cauliflower florets and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup sharp cheese as well as the parmesan.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese sauce is soft and slightly golden.

Cook's Note:

  • As written, this recipe serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course.
Nutrition Facts
Cauliflower Gratin
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 252 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 55mg18%
Sodium 317mg14%
Potassium 162mg5%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 648IU13%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 292mg29%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from Dinners and Dreams.

You might also like

  • Simple Cauliflower Rice
  • Cauliflower with Roasted Red Pepper
  • Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin

Published on July 7, 2013

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    Recipe Rating




  1. lisa alma says

    March 28, 2022 at 6:31 AM

    5 stars
    My husband and I loved it! The nutmeg was a nice touch without overwhelming the dish. served it with grilled steak.

    Reply
  2. jaclyn k says

    March 28, 2022 at 6:27 AM

    5 stars
    A huge hit with the family! I added a tsp of Horseradish to give a little kick. Delicious Sally thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. brenda m says

    March 28, 2022 at 6:23 AM

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  4. Mari says

    June 5, 2015 at 2:47 PM

    Sorry, I forgot to rate this.

    Reply
  5. Mari says

    June 5, 2015 at 2:46 PM

    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.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      June 5, 2015 at 9:27 PM

      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.

      Reply
  6. Ronnie says

    November 23, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Trying this one for sure!!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      November 23, 2013 at 10:31 PM

      Ronnie,
      We LOVE this. I make it all the time. The secret is to make sure that whatever cheese you use, make it sharp! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    July 9, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    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!

    Reply
  8. Sandy says

    July 9, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    This was wonderful! Will definitely make again!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      July 9, 2013 at 7:43 PM

      Sandy, I’m glad you liked it. I make it A LOT, myself! 🙂

      Reply
About Sally - Good Dinner Mom.

About Good Dinner Mom

My name is Sally and I love to be in the kitchen. Making fresh, unique dishes is my way of showing love for family and friends and I hope that here you’ll find recipes of both healthy and indulgent dishes that will inspire you to cook more at home while sharing some love of your own. more about me

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