150g(1 1/2 cups) mature/strong Cheddar cheese, grated (use a vegetarian version if required)
¼tspsalt
½tspblack pepper
1tbspfresh parsleyfinely chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (fan).
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.
1 medium cauliflower
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 into a baking dish and sprinkle on 2 tbsp of the grated cheese.
240 ml (1 cup) double (heavy) cream, 150 g (1 1/2 cups) mature/strong Cheddar cheese,
Add half of the cauliflower, then top with half of the remaining cream and a quarter of the remaining cheese.
Sprinkle on half of the salt and pepper.
1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black 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.
1 tbsp fresh parsley
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.