Cheesy Cauliflower

This Cheesy Cauliflower Bake is the best kind of side dish! Cauliflower bakes, then is topped with a creamy, spicy cheddar cheese sauce. All you need are a handful of ingredients and an hour to make this side dish that is loved by kids and adults alike.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 265kcal

Ingredients

1 large cauliflower broken into florets (5 cups)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk skim OK
4 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese about ½ cup, packed
1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Paprika for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
Add the cauliflower to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Bake the cauliflower for 25 minutes.
While the cauliflower bakes, make the cheese sauce.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
Whisk in the flour, continuing to whisk as it heats and darkens (just slightly!) into a blonde roux.
Slowly pour in the milk, stirring vigorously as you pour so the mixture doesn't have lumps.
When the milk has been added, measure in the mustard.
Turn off the heat, and add the cheese, stirring vigorously until combined.
Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Toss to combine. Sprinkle the top of the cheese with paprika.
Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until bubbly and delicious.
Serve warm!

Notes

How to make this recipe faster: Instead of baking the cauliflower, you can steam it in the microwave or on the stovetop. This will eliminate the need to bake the cauliflower for 3o(ish) minutes before adding the cheese sauce on top of it.

How to store: Let the cauliflower cool, then transfer to an airtight food storage container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

Nutrition