Description
Cauliflower Au Gratin is a creamy, cheesy French-inspired side dish featuring tender cauliflower baked in a rich béchamel sauce with Gruyère and Parmesan, topped with golden breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 5-7 minutes until just tender. Drain well and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour to form a roux, cooking for about 2 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Gruyère cheese, ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower florets in the baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Notes
- Substitute Gruyère with sharp cheddar or Fontina for a different flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make the dish gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dish
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
