Cauliflower Gratin Casserole Recipe
Our recipe for Cauliflower Gratin Casserole is made with steamed cauliflower baked with a creamy cheese sauce. It is nothing short but delicious and satisfying! A light, crispy panko-parmesan topping gives our cauliflower gratin the texture and flavor it deserves. It’s the perfect side and one everyone will enjoy!
Reasons to LOVE this Cauliflower Gratin Casserole:
- This recipe eliminates a few steps, making it quick and easy to put it all together and bake in 20 minutes.
- It is simple enough for a weeknight meal and impressive enough to serve guests.
- An ideal side – and easy enough… even for non-cooks!
We love to serve cauliflower with almost any meal from pasta with creamy cauliflower and mashed cauliflower to this cauliflower gratin!
Ingredients Needed for this Casserole:
Every dinner deserves a vegetable side, and this one allows you to prepare ahead, bake, and reheat before serving.
CAULIFLOWER: When buying cauliflower, look for a large head without many leaves. You will need about 2 to 2.5 pounds for a 9 x 13 casserole baking dish.
CHEDDAR CHEESE: For this recipe, we prefer sharp cheddar cheese, and already shredded for easy prep.
PARMESAN CHEESE: We prefer grated Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese over any other brands. It offers more health benefits and nutrients than any other brand of grated parmesan cheese.
HEAVY CREAM: Choose heavy cream, not whipping cream.
SEASONINGS: You will need some garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper for this recipe.
DIJON MUSTARD: Choose a jar of French “coarse” ground Dijon mustard. You will only need about 2 teaspoons, and it will enrich the flavors in the cheese sauce.
PANKO BREADCRUMBS: It’s best to choose Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs. Other brands of “so-called” panko are full of preservatives and unwanted additives.
FRESH PARSLEY: Choose fresh Italian parsley for the breadcrumb mixture and garnish before serving.
How to Make Cauliflower Gratin Casserole?
(*Full recipe card on the bottom)
1. Cut florets and slice the florets into discs or slices. Then boil or steam the cauliflower. Drain and transfer to the baking dish.
2. Make the cheese sauce. Then pour the cheese sauce directly over the cauliflower.
3. Make the panko and cheese mixture and scatter over the entire cauliflower and cheese sauce.
4. Bake for 20 minutes and serve.
Notes and Tips…
- An ideal side to make ahead, bake, and reheat before serving.
- This gratin will completely hide the cauliflower flavor, making the “picky” eaters to be surprised after they taste it.
- You can use white cheddar cheese if you prefer, or a mixture of shredded cheeses.
- Before serving, top with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chopped chives over the gratin to enliven its appearance.
- Easy to store, freeze, and reheat leftovers.
Your family and guests will LOVE our cauliflower gratin!
Loaded with a delicious cheese sauce that is divine with every forkful. This side dish is low-carb, high in protein, and keto-friendly. Try this recipe… it won’t disappoint!
and ENJOY!!
Try These Next!
More Delicious Cauliflower Recipes:
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Wine and Cheese
- Pasta with Creamy Cauliflower
- Potato-Cauliflower Soup
- Cauliflower Kale Soup with crunchy kale topping
- Baked Cheese Cauliflower Casserole
Hello friends! Any questions? ... ask away! If you make our cauliflower gratin casserole recipe, please let us know and leave a comment and a star rating below! Snap a photo and hashtag it on Instagram @2sistersrecipes, and Pinterest. We’d love to see what you cook! You can also follow us on Facebook.
Cauliflower Gratin Casserole Recipe
Cauliflower Gratin Casserole Recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal and impressive enough to serve guests! Its creamy cheese sauce is nothing short but delicious and satisfying. A perfect side to any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 large Cauliflower (about 2.5 pounds) - florets cut off the cord, then sliced into 1/2-inch discs or slices
- 1 + 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp. of coarse ground Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. Himalayan salt, (and extra to taste)
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190C). Lightly spray your 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized pot, toss in the sliced cauliflower florets, and fill the pot with water, about 2 to 3 inches high. Place the pot on the stovetop and on high heat and cover it with a lid. Bring the water to a full boil.
- Boil the cauliflower for about 2 minutes. Cauliflower should be tender when pierced with a paring knife. When ready turn off the heat.
- Next, drain the cauliflower in a colander and transfer to your prepared baking dish, spread it evenly inside the dish. Set it aside.
MAKE THE CHEESE SAUCE:
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Use a small saucepan and on low heat, pour in the heavy cream to warm the heavy cream. Add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and salt, and some fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
- Toss in the cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted.
- Next, slowly pour the melted cheese mixture directly over the cauliflower in the baking dish.
MAKE THE CRISPY TOPPING:
1. In a small mixing bowl, stir together panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
2. Use a spoon to scatter the breadcrumb mixture over the cauliflower evenly.
3. BAKE Cauliflower Gratin: for 18 to 20 minutes, until it's bubbly in the dish and golden on top.
4. Remove from oven and set it aside to rest for about 5 minutes. Then serve.
Yields: 6 to 8 servings
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6 to 8 servingsServing Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 272Total Fat: 20.3gCarbohydrates: 10.1gFiber: 3gSugar: 2.9gProtein: 14.2g
Related Posts:
Welcome! From Anna and Liz
We believe the kitchen is the center and the heart of the home. It is where we cook, eat, and unwind with family and friends, creating memorable traditions! Read more…
Sign Up For Our Email List
Something delicious for your inbox! Subscribe and join our email list and get all our recipes FREE!