Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese Recipe
This Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese is a comforting and indulgent vegetarian dish featuring a tender boiled cauliflower smothered in a rich, smoky cheese sauce and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a hearty side or a main, it combines creamy mature cheddar and gruyère with a hint of smoked paprika and mustard for depth and warmth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Vegetarian Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large cauliflower (about 1kg)
- ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped
Cheese Sauce
- 50g unsalted butter
- 50g plain flour
- large pinch of sweet smoked paprika
- 600ml whole milk
- 2 tsp English mustard
- 170g mature cheddar, gruyère, comté or a mixture
Instructions
- Boil the Cauliflower: Bring a large pan of salted water to a rolling boil. Remove any large outer leaves from the cauliflower, keeping smaller leaves intact. Gently lower the whole cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the plain flour and the smoked paprika, cooking for 1-2 minutes to form a roux and develop flavor without browning. Remove the pan from heat.
- Make Sauce Smooth: Gradually whisk the cold whole milk into the roux until a smooth sauce forms. Stir in the English mustard. Return the pan to medium heat and continue whisking as you bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Add two-thirds of the grated cheese and whisk until fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Place the boiled cauliflower into the center of a deep baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower, making sure it is well coated. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the baked cauliflower cheese from the oven and sprinkle with the finely chopped chives. Allow it to cool slightly before serving to let the sauce set for a deliciously creamy and cheesy centerpiece or side dish.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, make sure the cauliflower is fully submerged in boiling water when boiling.
- A mix of cheddar, gruyère, and comté cheeses enhances flavor complexity in the sauce.
- English mustard adds a subtle tanginess; adjust quantity to taste or substitute with Dijon mustard if unavailable.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh green salad to balance richness.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and can be reheated in an oven for best texture.
Keywords: cauliflower cheese, baked cauliflower, vegetarian cheese sauce, smoky cheese bake, British comfort food, cheesy cauliflower casserole
