Golden Bubbly Cauliflower Cheese Recipe to Warm Hearts

Bubbling with creamy goodness, this classic cauliflower cheese recipe delivers comfort on a plate.

Golden, crispy edges peek through a blanket of rich, melted cheese that coats tender cauliflower florets.

The ultimate side dish combines simplicity with pure indulgence, promising to warm hearts and satisfy hungry diners.

cheese lovers will swoon over the perfect blend of sharp cheddar and silky sauce.

Every forkful promises a delightful mix of textures and robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, this dish turns an ordinary vegetable into a show-stopping accompaniment.

Let’s find out this irresistible recipe and transform your dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

Serving Cauliflower Cheese with Dinner

• Cozy Comfort Meal Companion: Pair this cauliflower cheese with a crisp green salad featuring mixed baby greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy dish.
• Protein Power Boost: Serve alongside roasted chicken breast or grilled salmon to transform this side dish into a complete, satisfying main course that delivers excellent nutrition.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Elevate your morning meal by presenting this dish as a decadent brunch centerpiece, complemented by soft-scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a luxurious weekend treat.
• Rustic Table Setting: Create a warm, inviting atmosphere by serving in a cast-iron skillet directly from the oven, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and accompanied by crusty artisan bread for soaking up every delicious cheesy bite.

Refrigeration and Storage Tips for Cauliflower Cheese

• Smart Meal Planning
• Advance Prep: Chop cauliflower and make cheese sauce up to 24 hours before final baking, storing components separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator.
• Batch Cooking: Double the recipe and create additional meals for quick weeknight dinners, storing extra portions in freezer-safe containers for up to one month.
• Clever Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Care: Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days, keeping the crispy breadcrumb topping separate to maintain its crunch when reheating.
• Reheat Strategy: Warm individual servings in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the golden, crispy top and prevent sauce from becoming watery.
• Freezing Friendly Tips
• Freeze Smart: Wrap unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing for up to two weeks before baking fresh.
• Thaw Technique: Move frozen casserole to refrigerator overnight, then bake directly from cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to original cooking time.
• Portion Control Wisdom
• Single Serve Hack: Divide mixture into individual ramekins for personalized portions, perfect for meal prep and controlling serving sizes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 390 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cauliflower Cheese

• Cauliflower: Select fresh, firm heads with compact, creamy white florets and no brown spots for the ultimate texture and flavor.
• Whole Milk: Provides rich, smooth base for the cheese sauce, ensuring creamy consistency and depth of flavor.

• Extra Sharp Aged Cheddar Cheese, Extra Sharp Aged White Cheddar Cheese: Choose high-quality, well-aged cheeses for robust, tangy flavor that melts smoothly and creates complex taste profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty undertones and creates delightful crispy topping when baked.
• Black Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and aromatic spiciness to complement the cheese's richness.
• Coarse Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances the cheese's intense flavors.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces sharp, zesty notes that brighten the cheese sauce and add sophisticated depth.

• Butter: Creates silky roux base for sauce and contributes luxurious, velvety mouthfeel.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens cheese sauce and ensures smooth, consistent texture.
• Bread Crumbs: Provides delectable crispy golden crust with delightful textural contrast.

What Tools Are Needed for Cauliflower Cheese

• Large saucepan: sturdy pot for creating smooth cheese sauce.
• Wooden spoon: perfect for stirring flour and milk mixture without scratching pan.
• 9×11-inch casserole dish: essential for baking and serving the cauliflower cheese.
• Cutting board: used for chopping cauliflower into neat florets.
• Sharp knife: helps slice cauliflower with precision.
• Steamer basket: ideal for cooking cauliflower until tender.
• Mixing bowl: for combining bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
• Cheese grater: useful if you're grating cheese from a block.
• Measuring cups and spoons: ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Cooking Creamy Cauliflower Cheese at Home

• Cauliflower Prep Fresh florets are steamed until fork-tender, creating a soft base for this comforting dish. Ensure each piece is roughly the same size for even cooking.
• Sauce Foundation Butter and flour dance together in a warm pan, creating a silky roux that will transform into a luxurious sauce. Gentle stirring prevents any lumpy surprises.
• Liquid Magic Smooth milk joins the party, transforming the mixture into a creamy canvas. A touch of mustard adds a subtle zingy undertone that elevates the entire experience.
• Cheese Celebration Aged cheese melts into the sauce, creating a golden, velvety coating that clings to every cauliflower morsel. Stir until the mixture becomes irresistibly smooth.
• Crispy Crown A sprinkle of breadcrumbs and Parmesan creates a gorgeous golden topping that adds delightful crunch and extra flavor.
• Oven Magic Bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the sauce bubbles with excitement. A short rest allows the flavors to settle and makes serving a breeze.

Tips to Perfect Your Cauliflower Cheese Dish

• Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or smoked gouda for an extra flavor punch.
• Prepare the cauliflower and cheese sauce up to a day in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for stress-free entertaining.
• Replace half the cauliflower with broccoli or add roasted Brussels sprouts for a mixed vegetable version that adds more nutritional variety.
• Stir in diced ham, crispy bacon bits, or cooked chicken to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Swap traditional bread crumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed almond flour for a crispy topping that works for those with dietary restrictions.

Creamy Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Simple cauliflower cheese showcases British culinary comfort at its finest. Creamy cheese sauce envelops tender florets, creating a hearty side dish that welcomes you to savor pure, homestyle satisfaction.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 head cauliflower or 2 small heads
• 6 oz (170 g) extra sharp aged cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
• 6 oz (170 g) extra sharp aged white cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 2 tbsps (30 g) butter
• 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (15 g) Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp (15 g) Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (7 g) bread crumbs
• 0.75 tsp coarse or kosher salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Steam cauliflower florets until fork-tender, ensuring a delicate texture without becoming mushy.
2. Setup: Grease a casserole dish and preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) for optimal cooking conditions.
3. Sauce Foundation: Craft a golden roux by melting butter and whisking in flour, cooking until the mixture develops a light golden hue and releases a nutty fragrance.
4. Sauce Development: Gradually introduce whole milk, whisking continuously to create a velvety smooth base, simmering until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon with a luxurious consistency.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Infuse the sauce with Dijon mustard, then fold in cheddar cheese until melted, creating a rich and creamy cheese sauce with depth and complexity.
6. Assembly: Arrange steamed cauliflower in the prepared dish, generously drench with the cheese sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage of the vegetables.
7. Topping and Baking: Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, sprinkle over the surface, then bake for 20-25 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown crispness and the sauce bubbles enticingly around the edges.
8. Serving: Allow the dish to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling the sauce to set and flavors to meld, creating a perfectly cohesive and delectable cauliflower cheese experience.

Notes

• Steam with Care: Perfectly steam cauliflower until fork-tender, avoiding mushy texture for ideal bite and texture.
• Roux Mastery: Develop a golden, smooth roux by whisking flour and butter carefully, cooking for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
• Cheese Sauce Secrets: Continuously whisk milk into roux to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth sauce that coats vegetables beautifully.
• Crispy Topping Technique: Sprinkle Parmesan breadcrumbs evenly for a golden, crunchy layer that adds delightful texture contrast to creamy sauce.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg