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5 from 5 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.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish or Vegetarian Main Dish
Servings: 6 side portions
Calories: 205kcal
Author: Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 6 cups)
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
  • ¼ tsp teaspoon ground nutmeg, or more to taste
  • 1 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan

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 5 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, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and ½ cup of the Swiss cheese. (Do not add the parmesan yet.)
  • Spoon the sauce over the cauliflower florets and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup Swiss cheese as well as the ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese sauce is soft and slightly golden.

Notes

  • For more stringy, melty cheese, add 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese to sauce.
  • You can experiment with extra sharp cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, or mild cheddar, if you don't like sharp cheese.
  • The Cauliflower Gratin can be refrigerated for up to two days and reheated in a 400F degree oven, covered in foil.
  • Feel free to replace half of the cauliflower with broccoli for a colorful gratin. Broccoli and cauliflower pair so well together! If you make this combo gratin, I'd replace the nutmeg with either ground mustard or some red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 288mg | Iron: 0.2mg