Cauliflower Gratin

4.50 from 2 votes

Cauliflower Gratin

This cauliflower gratin is an easy holiday side dish with cauliflower florets baked in a creamy cheese sauce topped with crispy toasted almonds. It's quick to prepare and make-ahead-friendly!

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: caulfilower gratin, cauliflower gratin recipe

Servings: servings

Author: Katerina Petrovska

Ingredients

FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE

4 tablespoons butter divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups 2% milk
¼ cup half-and-half
¾ cup finely shredded Manchego cheese or Gouda cheese
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon italian seasoning
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon or to taste chili powder
pinch of ground nutmeg

FOR THE CAULIFLOWER

2 pound head of cauliflower cut into florets
3 garlic cloves minced
1 small yellow onion diced
Spanish paprika (optional)
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped almonds (optional)

Instructions

Prep. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Make a roux. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add the flour and whisk over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the milk and the half-and-half and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Make it cheesy. Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the cheese. Whisk in the thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, chili powder, and nutmeg. Set aside and keep warm.
Cook the cauliflower. In a large skillet, bring 1/2 inch of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets, cover, and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Afterward, drain the cauliflower in a colander.
Sauté. Melt the remaining butter in a skillet. Add the onion and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the prepared cauliflower florets to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
Assemble. Transfer the cauliflower mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Spread the prepared cheese sauce on top. Sprinkle the top with the chopped almonds and paprika.
Bake. Bake the gratin in the oven for 20 minutes, or until bubbling and browned on top. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make-ahead: The gratin can be prepared ahead of time! Prepare the cheese sauce and the cauliflower, assemble it in a baking dish, and refrigerate over night. When ready, bring it to room temperature before baking.
Inspired by Food & Wine.

Nutrition