Ingredients
Scale
To create the ultimate cheesy cauliflower bake, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 large head of cauliflower: Cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt: Divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder: Optional
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: For garnish
Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare a creamy, cheesy cauliflower bake:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Prepare the cauliflower:
- Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Spread the florets evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in the flour, whisking continuously for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Continue whisking for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cheeses and seasonings:
- Lower the heat and add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce.
- Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Mix in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, the remaining salt, and black pepper.
- Combine cauliflower and cheese sauce:
- Place the roasted cauliflower florets into a baking dish.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Prepare the topping:
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter to moisten them.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheesy cauliflower.
- Bake the dish:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and serve:
- Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg