Jan

This creamy, cheesy side dish would be a great addition to your Holiday meals! It is full of flavor and easy to make.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 24 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. of Cauliflower Florets
  • 4 tablespoons of salted butter
  • 3 tablespoons of flower
  • 3 shallots (or 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 2 cups Half-n-Half
  • 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 1 cup Gruyere Cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 cup Sharp White Cheddar (freshly grated, more for topping)
  • 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water for 5 to 6 minutes, until tender, but still firm. Drain.
  2. While the florets cook, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a pot over low heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour the half-and-half into the butter-flour mixture and whisk until it comes to a boil. Boil, whisking constantly for 1 minute until thickened. Remove the pot from the heat, add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  3. Gradually add the cheeses a little at a time to prevent clumping. For extra cheesiness, add 2 cups of cheese to the sauce. Add 1 cup of cheese to the top before baking.
  4. Add the drained cauliflower to the cheese sauce. Stir until the cauliflower is well combined and coated. Generously sprinkle with the remaining cup of cheese.
  5. If adding breadcrumbs, sprinkle the cauliflower with breadcrumbs and drizzle 2 tablespoons of butter on top of the breadcrumbs. Bake for 23 to 28 minutes, until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Note: Use fresh grated cheese versus bagged shredded cheese. Bagged shredded cheese has a coating to keep it from sticking, which results in less meltability. Also, make sure to drain the cauliflower thoroughly to keep any water out of the cheese sauce.

Bon Appétit 😋