1Cauliflowerlarge or extra large, broken into florets
50gButter
50gPlain Flour
550mlMilk
200gExtra Mature Cheddargrated
1teaspoonDijon Mustard
½teaspoonSmoked Paprika
3tablespoonParmesangrated
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220°c (200 fan/ Gas 7).
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the florets for 4 minutes. Drain in a colander.
In another saucepan melt the butter then whisk in the flour to form a roux.
Pour in the milk and keep whisking over a medium heat until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken. This should take 2-3 minutes.
Take the white sauce off the heat and stir in the grated cheddar, Dijon mustard and smoked paprika.
Place the drained cauliflower florets into a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce.
Sprinkle over the Parmesan and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
Top Tips:
Use a whisk when making the cheese sauce to prevent any lumps from forming.
Drain the cauliflower well after boiling it, to prevent it from releasing water into the cauliflower cheese when baked.
Use an extra mature cheddar cheese for the cheese sauce for extra flavour.
Don't skip the Dijon mustard and smoked paprika! They give the cauli cheese a wonderful flavour and colour!
The recipe can be doubled to feed a crowd.
Variations:
Try using different cheeses! Blue cheese, and gruyere both work well.
Make a healthy cauliflower cheese by using skimmed milk in the sauce and low fat cheese.
Add crispy bacon pieces for cauliflower cheese with bacon.
Garnish with chopped parsley for colour!
Add half a teaspoon of marmite to the cheese sauce for extra umami flavour.
Add 200g of cooked macaroni for cauliflower macaroni pasta bake.
Storage:
To Store. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Reheat. Microwave until piping hot.
To Freeze. Cauliflower cheese is best eaten fresh. Cauliflower has a tendency to go a bit soft and mushy if frozen and then thawed. That being said, it can be frozen for up to 3 months if you don't mind the altered texture.
Nutrition:The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Cauliflower Cheese
Amount per Serving
Calories
455
% Daily Value*
Fat
29
g
45
%
Saturated Fat
14
g
88
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
6
g
Cholesterol
69
mg
23
%
Sodium
488
mg
21
%
Potassium
694
mg
20
%
Carbohydrates
28
g
9
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
10
g
11
%
Protein
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
884
IU
18
%
Vitamin C
70
mg
85
%
Calcium
610
mg
61
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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