Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

This cheesy cauliflower bake as it is also called makes this mild vegetable into the best au gratin coliflor recipe baked in the oven. This is a side dish you must try tonight. If you tried and loved our Slow Cooker Cheesy Cauliflower this is another way you can make it.

Cauliflower Au Gratin Recipe

So this is the third way we have made this. In the Crockpot is above, then we moved on to our Cheesy Instant Pot Cauliflower recipe and this year we experimented with a baked version. I like to provide options depending on what appliance you want to use. Sometimes one is full and you want to use another.

If you want a creative way of How to Cook a Whole Cauliflower this is the one. I mean we really do love it roasted with just some olive oil, salt and pepper too but during Christmas time it is on!! I mean everything in moderation but gooey cheesy with all the flavors is what guests expect on the table with your main dish right??

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh cauliflower florets, medium head of cauliflower is about right
• Parmesan grated
• 5 tbsp cheddar cheese, or Monterey Jack is great too shredded
  • more if you want extra cheese on top too
• Parsley
• 1 c milk
• All purpose flour
• 2 tbsp butter or cream cheese could be used
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Hard boiled eggs, chopped, optional add in
• Baking dish should be 9×13 inch ideally

With Frozen Cauliflower

I don’t care for frozen cauliflower but if that is all you have then set out to defrost first and then drain water. From there you can follow the directions below, the texture just will be softer.

Dairy free option

If you are lactose intolerant you can make this with vegan products instead. We have done the same thing with our Dairy Free Scalloped Potatoes with Daiya cheeses, almond milk and plant based butter stick from Country Crock.

If you wanted to make this a bit spicy you could do that. A bit of Frank’s hot sauce would do the trick but I would be light handed. You could always add a bit more on top later but too much could make it inedible for some.

If you did want to make a gluten free healthier option on the side, you totally could. Just grab another head at the store and make a batch of Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower for others to enjoy alongside this.

How to Make Cauliflower Cheese Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 360F. Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add the flour for 2-3 minutes, stirring to get a roux.
• Pour in the milk, constantly stirring the flour with a spatula until you get a smooth white sauce without lumps.
• You may need more milk to get the desired consistency. Add salt, spices and mix.
• Place 1 1/2 cups vegetables (can make this into a Broccoli Au Gratin too) in a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
• *Optional – Peel the boiled eggs, chop them and place them on top.
• Top with half the parmesan, half the cheddar and most of the parsley. You can reserve some of the parsley for serving.
• Add the remaining cauliflower, the remaining cheese and pour the white cheese sauce over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 until the top is lightly browned and tender to your liking.

Best cheese for cauliflower and cheese

As far as the cheese is concerned you could use any variety you wanted though white cheddar is probably our most popular. If you wanted a bit of added texture to the top you could sprinkle a bit of bread crumbs on there too, just a few tbsps.

We rarely have any leftovers but if you do allow it to cool to room temperature first. Transfer to an airtight container and into the fridge. Reheat with a tsp of broth over the top to add moisture and warm in microwave for 30 seconds or so.