Creamy Baked Cauliflower Gratin
This cauliflower gratin recipe makes a super-satisfying vegetarian side dish, adapted from Ina Garten.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 3-pound head of cauliflower, cut into large florets
- Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 sprig fresh thyme, plus more to garnish
- 12 turns fresh black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 3/4 cup grated Gruyère cheese (Comté is a good substitute)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
Instructions
- Steam or boil the cauliflower in salted until firm but tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. If boiling, salt the water and drain very well in a colander.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 8 x 11 x 2-inch casserole.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until the color turns a nice tan brown roux. Add a splash of milk, whisking. The flour-butter mixture will become almost like a paste. Add another splash of milk, then another, until you have a thick liquid. Add the rest of the milk, the sprig of thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Boil, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, about one minute.
- Remove the white sauce from the heat. Off the heat, stir in the parmesan and 1/2 cup of grated Gruyère.
- Spoon a layer of cheese sauce into the bottom of the dish. Add the cauliflower. Pour the remaining cheese sauce over the cauliflower florets. (I like to taste for seasoning here. You may want another sprinkle of salt.) Top with breadcrumbs and the rest of the cheese, and garnish with additional thyme, if desired.
- Bake in the top third of the oven for about 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
I love this cauliflower gratin recipe because it allows a healthful winter vegetable to serve as a mac and cheese dupe. You can assemble the gratin up to a day in advance if you'd like, and bake right before serving.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is provided for courtesy purposes only, and is an estimate not verified by medical or nutrition experts. Read the full nutrition disclaimer.
