Best 5 Cheesy Cauliflower With Crunchy Panko Crumbs Made Lite Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Craving comfort food but looking for a healthier option? Our cheesy cauliflower with crunchy panko crumbs is the perfect dish for you. Loaded with flavor, this lightened-up version of the classic is sure to satisfy your cravings without weighing you down. Cauliflower florets take the place of pasta in this innovative take on a mac and cheese, while a combination of reduced-fat cheese and Greek yogurt creates a creamy, cheesy sauce. Topped with a crispy panko crumb topping, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or potluck. In this article, we'll guide you through the simple steps to create this delicious and satisfying dish.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER GRATIN WITH CRISPY PANKO TOPPING



Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin With Crispy Panko Topping image

This creamy, comforting gratin features a mix of regular and low-fat cheese to make it flavourful but light. A crunchy panko topping is the perfect finish.

Categories     Dinner,Appetizers

Time 40m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 spray(s) Olive oil cooking spray
3 pound(s) Uncooked cauliflower florets
0.5 cup(s) Panko breadcrumbs
0.25 cup(s) Grated Pecorino cheese
1.5 tsp(s) Kosher salt divided
2 tbsp(s) Unsalted butter
2 tbsp(s) All-purpose flour
1 cup(s) Low-fat milk warmed
2 oz Gruyère cheese shredded (about 1/2 cup)
0.5 cup(s) Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tsp(s) Minced garlic
1 pinch Ground nutmeg
2 tbsp(s) Fresh parsley chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add cauliflower and cook until fork tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain well; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss together panko, Pecorino and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add flour and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in warm milk until thick and smooth; stir in Gruyere, mozzarella, garlic, remaining teaspoon salt and nutmeg.
  • Spoon cauliflower into prepared pan and pour cheese sauce over top; toss until well-mixed and then sprinkle with panko mixture. Bake until panko begins to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve garnished with parsley. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 92 kcal

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BAKE WITH CRUNCHY PANKO CRUMBS - MADE LITE!



Cheesy Cauliflower Bake with Crunchy Panko Crumbs - made Lite! image

My family loved this dish, which had a light garlic-infused sauce and a crunchy panko crumb topping. I used a reduced fat cheese that tastes great! I reduced the butter with healthy Omega-3 olive oil and added herbs and aromatics, which yielded a creamy, flavorful sauce with perfectly cooked cauliflower that was slightly crunchy to the bite-- and not mushy. Nobody will know that this isn't a rich a decadent side dish!

Provided by Debby - www.AFeastfortheEyes.net

Categories     Side Dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 medium head cauliflower (cut into small florets)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese* (grated; (highly recommended brand is Cabot Cheese))
3/4 cup 1% milk
3/4 low-sodium chicken stock
1 small garlic clove (minced)
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme (fresh is best)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or dry mustard powder)
Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
3/4 cup Japanese Panko Crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets, rinse and drain. Microwave in a bowl, with about 1" of water, covered in plastic wrap (or a lid) for 3-5 minutes (depending on your microwave power). Remove the plastic wrap and set aside-- you want the cauliflowers to be slightly crunchy.

BAKED CHEESY CAULIFLOWER



Baked Cheesy Cauliflower image

Easy, delicious side dish of cauliflower with cheese.

Provided by Kathy F.

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Cauliflower

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

cooking spray (such as Pam®)
3 cups bite-sized cauliflower florets
1 egg
½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 pinch ground paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Microwave until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  • Whisk egg and flour together in a bowl. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over cauliflower florets. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese and paprika on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and cauliflower is soft, 30 to 40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.4 calories, Carbohydrate 7.1 g, Cholesterol 108.3 mg, Fat 20.8 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 12.7 g, Sodium 442.2 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

CRUNCHY CAULIFLOWER CHEESE



Crunchy cauliflower cheese image

This makes a hearty and satisfying side dish, perfect served with Sunday lunch

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Side dish, Supper, Vegetable

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 large cauliflower (about 1kg/2lb 4oz), trimmed
300g tub cheese sauce
100g Swiss cheese such as gruyère or emmental, grated
25g toasted hazelnut , crushed
50g fresh breadcrumb

Steps:

  • Heat the grill to high. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, break the cauliflower into even-sized florets. Drop into the pan and boil for about 7 mins, or until very tender.
  • Heat the cheese sauce either in the microwave on High for 1 min or in a small pan until heated through, but not boiling. Place the cheese, hazelnuts and breadcrumbs in a bowl and mix together.
  • Drain the cauliflower and place in the bottom of a large, shallow, baking dish. Pour the warmed sauce over the cauliflower, covering it evenly, then sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Put under the grill for 5 mins, or until the cheese is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are golden and crusty.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 28 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 22 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 22 grams protein, Sodium 1.38 milligram of sodium

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER PANCAKES



Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes image

I haven't tried this yet but it sounds so good and I love cauliflower. I got this off a blog I came across on the internet. There was a picture posted and boy did these look delish!!

Provided by Reggies Mom

Categories     Cauliflower

Time 30m

Yield 8 pancakes, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 head cauliflower
2 large eggs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt
olive oil

Steps:

  • Cut cauliflower into florets & cook in boiling water until tender about 10 minutes. Drain. Mash the cauliflower while still warm. Stir cheese, eggs, panko, cayenne & salt to taste.
  • Coat the bottom of a griddle or skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Form the cauliflower mixture into patties about 3 inches across. Cook until golden brown & set, about 3 minutes per side. Keep each batch warm in the oven while you cook the rest.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.7, Fat 4.1, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 53.9, Sodium 133.1, Carbohydrate 8.8, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 1.9, Protein 5.7

Tips:

  • For a crispy cauliflower, use fresh cauliflower florets and make sure to dry them thoroughly before coating them with the panko crumbs.
  • To make the cauliflower more flavorful, marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs before coating it with the panko crumbs.
  • If you don't have panko crumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
  • To make the cheese sauce, use a good quality cheddar cheese and melt it slowly over low heat.
  • If you want a thicker cheese sauce, add a little bit of cornstarch or flour.
  • Serve the cauliflower immediately after it is cooked, while the cheese sauce is still warm and bubbly.

Conclusion:

This cheesy cauliflower with crunchy panko crumbs is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The cauliflower is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the cheese sauce is rich and flavorful. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Related Topics