This is my easy cauliflower cheese, super simple, without the need for a béchamel sauce. Less effort, less washing up but still with all of the creamy, cheesy flavour!
Cauliflower cheese often involves making a roux with flour, butter and milk.
That's all very well if the cauliflower cheese is the main item on your menu, but when you're making it as part of a larger meal - like a full-onroast dinner, it can take up time and pan space.
I rarely use the roux-method now, preferring this version when I'm prepping lots of dishes.
Why use this easy method over the roux method?
It's quicker and easier
No requirement to make a separate sauce
No need to dirty another pan (or use up precious hob space) to make a roux
It's naturally gluten free
It's just as tasty
However!! If you'd prefer to make the traditional version using a roux, I've included instructions for that in the notes section of the recipe card at the bottom of this post too.
So what do we need?
How do we make it?
We start by chopping the cauliflower and steaming it until just tender.
Then we add a little double (heavy) cream and cheddar cheese to a baking dish. Top with a layer of cauliflower, followed by cream, cheddar, salt and pepper. Then repeat.
Cook in the oven at 200c/400f for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
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150g(1 1/2 cups) Mature/strong Cheddar cheese, - grated (use a vegetarian version if required)
1/4tspsalt
1/2tspblack pepper
1tbspfresh parsley - finely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
Bring a pan of water to the boil
Place the cauliflower florets in a steam basket over the top and place a lid on the pan, or place the cauliflower directly in the boiling water if you don't have a steam basket.
Turn the water down to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes until the cauliflower is tender but not soggy.
Drain the cauliflower.
Pour 2 tbsp of the cream in a baking dish and sprinkle on 2 tbsp of the grated cheese.
Add half of the cauliflower, then top with half of the remaining cream and quarter of the remaining cheese.
Sprinkle on half of the salt and pepper.
Top with the remaining cauliflower, then pour on the remaining cream. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, salt and pepper.
Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the chopped parsley before serving.
Video
✎ Notes
Roux method for cauliflower cheese:
If you'd prefer to make the roux method, which is NOT gluten free, par boil and drain the cauliflower as per the recipe, then place the cauliflower into a baking dish.Melt 50g unsalted butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add 3 tbsp plain (all purpose) flour and mix together with a whisk to form a thick paste.Add 1 1/4 cups (300ml) of whole milk, a splash at a time, whilst stirring with the whisk, until all of the milk is incorporated and no lumps remain. Turn the heat up to medium high and continue to stir until the sauce thickens.Add 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 cup (50g) grated strong cheddar cheese to the sauce. Stir together, then pour over the cauliflower in the dish.Top with 1 cup (100g) grated strong cheddar and place in the oven at 200C/400F for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Can I make cauliflower cheese ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the cauliflower cheese right up until the point before you put it in the oven. Cool, cover and refrigerate for up to a day. Take out of the refrigerator an hour before baking. Bake in the oven at 200C/400F for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Can I freeze cauliflower cheese?
Yes, if you're freezing leftovers, then cool, cover and freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator. To reheat, cover with foil and place in the oven at 200C/400F for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 10 minutes until piping hot throughout.If you're freezing a full portion to make ahead, prepare the cauliflower cheese right up until the point before you put it in the oven. Cool, cover and freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator. Take out of the refrigerator an hour before baking. Bake in the oven at 200C/400F for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly and piping hot throughout.
This Cauliflower Cheese recipe post was first published in May 2019. Updated in March 2020 with new tips, extra information and for housekeeping.
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Hi I’m Nicky
I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.
Hi I have been following you on Twitter for a while now and I love your easy to make recipes, they are delicious!! Love the photos too - they make you want to have a go making it! Thank you! On another note though, your website is extremely slow to load, especially the graphics - just a little feedback
Michelle says
This sounds absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try this.
Angela at workonlinelife says
Hi I have been following you on Twitter for a while now and I love your easy to make recipes, they are delicious!! Love the photos too - they make you want to have a go making it! Thank you!
On another note though, your website is extremely slow to load, especially the graphics - just a little feedback
Chris Corbishley says
Hi Angela,
Thanks for following us on Twitter, we are both really pleased that you like the recipes 🙂
Could you it me know where you are based as i would love to understand if there is anything we can do to speed up our site for our readers.
If you would like to drop me an email you can reach me at [email protected]
Thanks
Chris
Jana says
Easy to follow directions and a delicious side to compliment our meal. Thanks for posting.