Creamy Baked Cauliflower Cheese Casserole Recipe
This classic Cauliflower Cheese recipe features tender roasted cauliflower florets smothered in a rich, creamy Mornay sauce made with cheddar and Gruyère cheeses. Roasting the cauliflower enhances its natural sweetness and adds a slight caramelized flavor, while the cheesy béchamel sauce provides a luscious, velvety coating. Finished in the oven until golden and bubbling, this comforting dish makes a perfect side or vegetarian main.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower
- 1kg / 2 lb cauliflower florets (from 1 very large, 1 1/2 medium or 2 small cauliflower heads)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Cheese Sauce (Mornay)
- 60g / 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3½ tbsp plain / all-purpose flour
- 1 cup full fat milk
- 1 cup cream (or more milk)
- 1/2 tsp kosher cooking salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg powder
- 1 cup Red Leicester cheese or cheddar, grated
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese or other melting cheese, grated
- Additional 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese for topping
- Additional 1/2 cup Red Leicester cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 220°C (430°F) or 200°C fan to get it ready for roasting the cauliflower.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Toss the cauliflower florets in extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out on a large baking tray in a single layer for roasting.
- Roast Cauliflower: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes without turning. Its texture should be tender but still slightly firm with some golden color. Remove from the oven once done.
- Adjust Oven Temperature: Lower the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
- Heat Milk and Cream: Warm the milk and cream together until hot; this can be done either on the stove or in the microwave to help create a smooth sauce.
- Make Roux: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook while stirring frequently for about 3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk to Roux: Gradually pour in half the hot milk while continuously stirring to form a thickened base. Then add the remaining milk and stir on the heat for another minute until the sauce thickens enough to coat a wooden spoon.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasoning: Turn off the stove but keep the pot on it. Stir in the kosher salt, freshly grated nutmeg, and both grated cheeses (Red Leicester and Gruyère) until melted and the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- Toss Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce: Add the roasted cauliflower florets to the sauce and gently toss to ensure all pieces are well coated.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the cauliflower and cheese mixture into a 2L (2 qt) baking dish measuring approximately 30 x 20 x 5 cm (12 x 8 x 2 inches).
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the additional grated Gruyère cheese followed by the extra Red Leicester cheese evenly over the top to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Serve: Optionally sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh touch. Allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes before serving to let the sauce settle.
Notes
- Note 1: The cauliflower weight corresponds to approximately 1 very large or 2 small heads; choose based on availability.
- Note 2: For best melting and flavor, use Red Leicester and Gruyère cheeses, but cheddar and other melting cheeses work well as substitutes.
- Use full-fat milk and cream for a richer sauce; you can adjust cream quantity to preference.
- Do not turn the cauliflower while roasting to maintain a caramelized surface.
- Allow the dish to rest before serving to improve texture and flavor melding.
Keywords: Cauliflower cheese, roasted cauliflower, Mornay sauce, cheesy vegetable bake, British side dish, comfort food, vegetarian cheese sauce
