Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese Recipe
This whole baked cauliflower cheese is a comforting and indulgent vegetarian dish featuring a tender cauliflower head cooked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from a blend of mature cheddar, Gruyère, and Comté cheeses, infused with smoked paprika and English mustard, then baked until golden and bubbling. Perfect as a hearty side or vegetarian main.
- 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 a boil. Remove any large outer leaves from the cauliflower but leave smaller ones attached. Carefully lower the whole cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Preheat your 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. Stir in the English mustard. Return the pan to the heat and bring the sauce to a boil while whisking continuously. Add two-thirds of the cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 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 on top. Bake uncovered in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, scatter the finely chopped chives over the top for freshness and serve warm as a hearty side or vegetarian main dish.
Notes
- Use a sharp mix of mature cheddar, Gruyère, and Comté for the best flavor balance.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.
- Be careful not to overboil the cauliflower so it retains shape during baking.
- Serving suggestion: pairs well with roast meats or a fresh green salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: cauliflower cheese, baked cauliflower, vegetarian side dish, comfort food, cheesy cauliflower, British recipe, winter recipes
Find it online: https://famdishes.com/whole-baked-cauliflower-cheese-recipe/
