Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Whole baked cauliflower cheese is a comforting and impressive vegetarian dish featuring a tender cauliflower smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it combines classic flavors with a beautiful golden crust.

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower (about 1kg)
• 50g unsalted butter
• 50g plain flour
• Large pinch of sweet smoked paprika
• 600ml whole milk
• 2 tsp English mustard
• 170g mature cheddar, gruyère, comté or a mixture
• ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Remove any large leaves from the cauliflower but leave the smaller ones attached. Carefully lower the cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas mark 4). In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux.
3. Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and slowly whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the English mustard. Return the pan to the heat and bring the sauce to a boil, whisking constantly.
4. Step 4: Add two-thirds of the cheese to the sauce and whisk until melted. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Step 5: Place the cooked cauliflower in the center of a deep baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the sauce is golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and scatter with finely chopped chives before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce when whisking in the milk.
• Try mixing different cheeses like cheddar and Gruyère for a richer taste.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a small amount of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce.
• Serve with crusty bread or a fresh green salad to balance the richness.

Storage

Store leftover cauliflower cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 160°C (140°C fan) for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of milk?

Whole milk works best for a rich and creamy sauce, but you can substitute with 2% milk if needed. Avoid skimmed milk as it may make the sauce thinner and less creamy.

What can I use instead of English mustard?

If you don’t have English mustard, Dijon mustard is a good substitute. It provides a similar tangy heat that complements the cheese sauce well.

Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 62 reviews

A comforting and indulgent whole baked cauliflower cheese featuring tender cauliflower boiled to perfection, smothered in a creamy, tangy cheese sauce made with mature cheddar and a blend of flavorful cheeses, then baked until golden and bubbling. This hearty vegetarian dish is perfect as a main or side, garnished with fresh chives for a burst of color and freshness.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower

• 1 large cauliflower (about 1kg)

Cheese Sauce

• 50g unsalted butter
• 50g plain flour
• Large pinch of sweet smoked paprika
• 600ml whole milk
• 2 tsp English mustard
• 170g mature cheddar, gruyère, comté or a mixture
• ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Boil the Cauliflower: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Remove any large leaves from the cauliflower while keeping smaller leaves attached. Carefully lower the whole cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Cheese Sauce: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the plain flour and sweet smoked paprika and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the whole milk until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the English mustard. Return the pan to heat and bring the mixture to a boil while whisking continuously. Add two-thirds of the cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Assemble and Bake: Place the boiled cauliflower in the center of a deep baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower, ensuring it is well coated. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the surface is golden brown and bubbling.
4. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the cauliflower from the oven and scatter the finely chopped chives over the top before serving to add freshness and color.

Notes

• Use a mixture of mature cheeses like cheddar, gruyère, and comté for a richer flavor.
• The sweet smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky depth but can be omitted if preferred.
• To save time, the cauliflower can be parboiled a day ahead and refrigerated before assembling.
• This dish is best served hot and is excellent alongside roast meats or as a main vegetarian course.
• Ensure the cauliflower is fully cooked but not mushy before baking to keep texture intact.

Keywords: cauliflower cheese, baked cauliflower cheese, vegetarian main, cheesy cauliflower recipe, comfort food, British cuisine