Cheesy Cauliflower

Indulge in the comfort of this Cheesy Cauliflower recipe—a creamy, golden baked dish that turns simple cauliflower florets into a show-stopping side or satisfying vegetarian main. Steamed cauliflower is smothered in a rich, homemade cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and a touch of garlic and paprika for extra depth. Topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and oven-baked to bubbly perfection, this dish boasts a crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the velvety interior. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts, this easy, crowd-pleasing casserole comes together in just 40 minutes and is a flavorful way to elevate your veggies. Keywords: cheesy cauliflower recipe, baked cauliflower, cauliflower casserole, easy side dish, vegetarian comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and steam them for 6-8 minutes until they are just tender. Set them aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, to create a roux.

Step 4

Gradually add milk to the roux while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Lower the heat and stir in 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese and all the Parmesan cheese. Add garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 6

Place the steamed cauliflower florets in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture and the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dish.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your cheesy cauliflower!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1464.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2077.6

Total Fat 145.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 422.6mg	0%
Sodium 5974.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.7g	0%
Total Sugars 37.9g
Protein 106.9g	0%

Vitamin D 269.4IU	0%
Calcium 2817.8mg	0%
Iron 7.0mg	0%
Potassium 2941.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.2%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 18.9%