Ingredients
– 1 large head cauliflower, cut into medium-sized florets (about 2 lbs)
– Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
– 4 tablespoons butter, divided
– 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free if necessary)
– 2 cups milk, preferably whole (low fat or skim can be used for a lighter version)
– 3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese or sharp cheddar as an alternative
– 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or another hard Italian-style cheese like Romano or Asiago
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko work well)
Instructions
1-First, preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Start by washing and cutting the cauliflower into evenly sized florets for uniform cooking. Bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, then blanch the florets for about 5 minutes until they are tender but still firm, and drain them right away.
2-Next, in a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Stir in the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a roux, cooking it for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk until smooth, then bring it to a gentle boil and lower the heat to thicken for about 1 minute.
3-Remove the saucepan from heat and mix in 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted; add salt and pepper to taste. In a separate small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and combine it with the 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, the rest of the shredded Gruyere, and grated Parmesan to create a topping.
4-Pour one-third of the cheese sauce into a greased 8ร11 or 9ร13 baking dish to cover the bottom. Layer the blanched cauliflower evenly on top, then add the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over everything and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly. Check out this simple pasta dish for more meal ideas that pair well with it.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ Serve fresh to maintain crunchy breadcrumb topping; leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days.
๐ฅฃ Assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 48 hours; add extra baking time if cold.
๐พ Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free version or omit breadcrumbs and add extra cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 312 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 443 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 57 mg
