Whole Baked Cauliflower Cheese Recipe
A comforting and indulgent whole baked cauliflower cheese, featuring a tender boiled cauliflower smothered in a rich, creamy cheddar and mustard cheese sauce, baked until golden and bubbling with a hint of smoked paprika and fresh chives.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- 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 boil. Remove any large leaves from the cauliflower, leaving smaller leaves attached for presentation. Carefully lower the whole cauliflower into the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain well and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and smoked paprika and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the English mustard. Return the pan to the heat and bring the sauce to a boil, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Add two-thirds of the cheese and whisk until it is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and bake: Place the boiled cauliflower in the center of a deep baking dish. Pour over the cheese sauce evenly, making sure to cover the cauliflower. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the sauce is golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and scatter the finely chopped chives over the top before serving. Enjoy this hearty, cheesy centerpiece as a vegetarian main or side dish.
Notes
- Choose a sturdy cauliflower that fits your baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Any mix of hard cheeses like cheddar, gruyère, and comté will work nicely for a complex flavor.
- For a smoother sauce, ensure to whisk continuously when adding milk and cheese.
- Serve with crusty bread or roasted potatoes for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: baked cauliflower cheese, vegetarian cauliflower recipe, cheesy cauliflower bake, cauliflower main dish, comfort food
