Best 2 Baked Cauliflower And Cheese Recipes

Baked cauliflower and cheese is a flavorful and comforting dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It is a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables and it is also a vegetarian option that is sure to please everyone at the table. The combination of roasted cauliflower, creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy bread crumbs creates a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to become a family favorite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

Baked Cauliflower and Cheese image

A delicious creamy cauliflower dish with cheese. For a quick version serve without final step of baking!

Provided by RockingItCountryStyle

Categories Side Dish Vegetables Cauliflower

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
½ cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
⅓ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon white sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and let cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly butter a casserole dish.
Transfer florets into the bowl of a food processor. Add broth and puree on high speed until smooth, but with some very small pieces remaining for just a bit of texture.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil will just begin to bubble. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until flour has turned golden and begins to smell like toast, 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in pureed cauliflower, cream, sugar, salt, white pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until thick, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden and cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 167.2 calories, Carbohydrate 11.8 g, Cholesterol 39.2 mg, Fat 11.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 641.2 mg, Sugar 5 g

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH HIDDEN CAULIFLOWER

Baked Mac and Cheese with Hidden Cauliflower image

"If you're having trouble getting your kids to eat veggies, try this recipe. They'll love how the cauliflower gets all mixed in with the noodles and cheese," says Valerie.

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 pound elbow macaroni
Kosher salt
1 small head cauliflower, cored
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (about 8 ounces)
3 tablespoons creamy French onion dip
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups crushed sour cream-and-cheddar potato chips

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, grate the cauliflower on the large holes of a box grater or chop it into chunks and pulse to rice-size pieces in a food processor.
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, another 5 minutes. Add the flour; cook for 1 minute, stirring. Gradually add the milk while stirring constantly, then increase the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cheddar, Colby Jack, French onion dip, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt until the cheese and dip melt. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Top the pasta with the crushed potato chips. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes (be careful, the potato chips can burn easily).

Tips:

Choose the right cauliflower: A head of cauliflower that is compact and heavy for its size is best. Avoid heads with brown spots or blemishes.
Cut the cauliflower into even florets: This will help them cook evenly. If the florets are too large, they will take longer to cook and may not cook evenly.
Steam the cauliflower before baking it: This will help to tenderize the cauliflower and reduce the cooking time. You can steam the cauliflower in a steamer basket over boiling water, or you can microwave it for a few minutes.
Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of the dish. Use a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyère.
Season the cauliflower and cheese mixture well: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all good choices. You can also add other spices or herbs, such as paprika, cumin, or oregano.
Bake the cauliflower and cheese mixture until it is golden brown and bubbly: This will take about 20-25 minutes. You can use a toothpick to check if the cauliflower is tender. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cauliflower is done.

Conclusion:

Baked cauliflower and cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and it is also low in calories and carbohydrates. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal, and it is also a great option for entertaining guests.