This ooey, gooey Cauliflower Cheese will be your new favorite comfort food!
You know what makes everything better? Cheese. Seriously, when hasn’t cheese increased the likability and tastiness of an otherwise bland dish? Do not knock cauliflower because it is one of my all-time favorite vegetables. But have you tried cauliflower and cheese? Like, together?
Cauliflower cheese is a warm and cozy comfort food spin on the classic mac and cheese. It’s essentially just cauliflower doused in a creamy, flavorful cheese sauce. But hey, simple is never a bad thing. Especially when it involves a sinfully delicious cheese sauce that happens to include your daily dose of veggies.
I’ve been making cauliflower cheese for holidays and potlucks for years, and I’ve never escaped a gathering without being asked (relentlessly) for the recipe. So, without further ado, I give you everything you’ve been waiting for—my iconic, delicious, yet still nutritious, cauliflower cheese.
Is Cauliflower Cheese Healthy?
If you’re comparing this dish to mac and cheese, then yes, it’s healthier. But, really, this is a comfort food recipe that’s full of deliciously indulgent ingredients. It’s not something you’d eat every day.
Cauliflower, the star ingredient, is a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, and folate. It’s also low in calories and low in carbs, making this dish more accessible than classic mac and cheese for those following certain diets.
Now, this recipe is also loaded with cream, cheese, and other dairy (vegan and lactose-intolerant friends beware). I’d recommend enjoying this in moderation, as the fat and calories are rather high. But at least cauliflower will do you right!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When I tell you this dish is a crowd-pleaser, I mean it. It’s so versatile that it would work just as beautifully set out on an elegant holiday table as it would brought to an office potluck. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s unpretentious, and it packs a ton of flavor into relatively simple ingredients. It also works well for all seasons—picture it as a cozy winter side dish or a delicious accompaniment to a rack of ribs at a summer BBQ.
If you love mac and cheese but don’t want to be weighed down by a heaping helping of cheese sauce and noodles, this is a lighter version that can come to the rescue.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. You can also freeze leftovers in a pinch, but be aware that the cheese sauce can turn watery when it’s defrosted.
Serving Suggestions
Cauliflower cheese is a great side dish for any meal, but I really love it with other comfort foods. Try serving your cauliflower cheese with a star protein like this Smoked Pork Tenderloin and other healthy but decadent sides like these Honey-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.
Cauliflower cheese is also the perfect addition to your upcoming holiday spreads! Serve with stuffing (even Vegan Stuffing), Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes, and, of course, some Air-Fryer Turkey Breast.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for 5-7 minutes until just tender. Drain well.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour to form a paste and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Remove sauce from heat. Stir in mustard powder, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and cheeses until smooth.
- Arrange the drained cauliflower in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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