Cauliflower is drizzled with a creamy, spicy cheddar cheese sauce to make a decadent and simple side dish that is ready in 30 minutes! This dish is loved by children and adults alike and is the perfect accompaniment for any meal.
When I was a kid, I was a pretty big fan of vegetables.
I didn’t like some (and still don’t, for that matter), but I mostly ate them without fuss. I think.
We were broccoli and cauliflower lovers… and I especially loved when my mom would sprinkle them with cheddar cheese, bake them for a few so the cheese got melty and delicious, and then serve them up hot as a side dish.
This recipe is a throwback to my childhood and those cheesy veggies… except I’ve elevated it a little bit. While it takes a bit longer than simply sprinkling cheese on top of a roasting veggie, I promise it’s worth the extra effort.
If you give me any dish with cheese, I’m a happy girl. And cauliflower with a decadent, cheesy sauce is no different except, well, it’s even better.
Cauliflower + cheese = a match made in heaven.
This recipe calls for a simple blonde roux, made using equal parts fat (butter) and flour. Once the flour cooks out of the roux, you add milk, mustard, cheese and seasonings… then it’s done!
Pour that on top of steamed cauliflower, and then you bake it for 25 minutes.
Easy peasy, y’all. And perfect for anyone, young or old.
Here’s how I made it:
Ingredients
- 2 heads cauliflower, broken into florets and steamed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (skim OK)
- 4 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Paprika, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a baking dish with baking spray, and set aside.
- 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 completely added and is smooth, measure in the mustard.
- Turn off the heat, and add the cheese, stirring vigorously.
- Measure in the salts, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne.
- Place the steamed cauliflower into the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle the top of the cheese with paprika.
- Bake the cauliflower for 15 minutes at 375°F.
- Turn the oven up to 425°F, and bake the cauliflower for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve warm!
Are you a fan of cheese on your vegetables?
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