Whole Baked Cauliflower with Cheesy Sauce Recipe
This Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese recipe features a tender boiled cauliflower smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with mature cheddar and a blend of cheeses, then baked until golden and bubbling. It’s a comforting vegetarian dish perfect as a hearty side or a main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Boil the Cauliflower: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Remove large leaves from the cauliflower, keeping smaller ones intact. Carefully lower the cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: 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 and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the English mustard and return the pan to medium heat, bringing the mixture to a boil while whisking continuously. Add two-thirds of the cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Place the boiled cauliflower in the center of a deep baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, scatter the finely chopped chives over the cauliflower cheese for a fresh, mild onion flavor. Serve warm as a satisfying vegetarian main or side dish.
Notes
- Use a blend of cheddar, gruyère, and comté for a rich and complex cheese sauce flavor.
- Boiling the whole cauliflower ensures even cooking before baking.
- Adjust the smoked paprika quantity to taste for a subtle smoky depth.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a fresh green salad.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute plain flour with gluten-free flour in the roux.
Keywords: cauliflower cheese, baked cauliflower, vegetarian cheese bake, British side dish, creamy cheese sauce
