Description
Easy Cauliflower Cheese is a comforting and classic British side dish featuring tender steamed cauliflower baked in a rich, creamy mature Cheddar cheese sauce. This recipe combines simple ingredients to create a golden, bubbly cheese topping that’s perfect alongside roasts or as a vegetarian main.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium cauliflower (broken into small florets)
Dairy
- 240 ml (1 cup) double (heavy) cream
- 150 g (1 1/2 cups) mature/strong Cheddar cheese, grated (use a vegetarian version if required)
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) fan to prepare for baking the cauliflower cheese.
- Boil Water: Bring a pan of water to a rolling boil to steam the cauliflower.
- Steam Cauliflower: Place the cauliflower florets in a steam basket over the boiling water and cover with a lid, or alternatively, place the florets directly into the boiling water if you don’t have a steam basket.
- Simmer Cauliflower: Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the cauliflower cook for about 5 minutes until tender but still firm, avoiding sogginess.
- Drain Cauliflower: Drain the cauliflower well to remove excess water to prevent a watery dish.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour 2 tablespoons of the cream into the bottom of a baking dish and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the grated cheese on top.
- Layer Cauliflower and Cheese: Add half of the steamed cauliflower over the cheese and cream, then pour on half of the remaining cream and sprinkle a quarter of the remaining cheese.
- Season: Sprinkle half of the salt and black pepper over the layers.
- Repeat Layers: Top with the remaining cauliflower, pour over the last of the cream, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese, salt, and pepper evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the finely chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving for a fresh, herby finish.
Notes
- Steaming the cauliflower instead of boiling helps retain maximum flavor and nutrients while preventing it from becoming waterlogged.
- Use mature Cheddar cheese for a strong, sharp flavor; vegetarian cheese can be used if desired.
- Ensure cauliflower is tender but not overcooked before baking to maintain a firm texture in the final dish.
- This dish pairs perfectly as a side for roast dinners or can be enjoyed as a hearty vegetarian main.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute double cream with a lighter cream or milk, but the dish will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: cauliflower cheese, baked cauliflower, cheesy side dish, vegetarian, British recipe, comfort food, easy cauliflower recipe
