Easy Cauliflower Cheese Bake is a rich and creamy, low-carb side dish for your holiday dinner or any dinner when you want to treat your family or guests to something special! This veggie-packed casserole is a true crowd pleaser!
If you like cauliflower, bacon, and gruyere cheese, you will love this flavorful side dish. This creamy baked cauliflower and cheese casserole tastes slightly like a cross between a quiche and a light as air souffle.
Here’s what’s in it:
You will need the following ingredients: a head of cauliflower, heavy cream, bacon, gruyere cheese, all-purpose flour, whole milk, kosher salt, nutmeg, and ground black pepper.
How to make this recipe:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut the head of cauliflower in half and then into quarters through the core. Then, run your knife between the florets and the stem and cut the stem out. Discard the stem and cut the florets into smaller pieces.
- To par-cook, the cauliflower, add it to a large microwave-safe bowl, cover it, and microwave on high for four to five minutes. You can also toss it in olive oil and roast it in a 425-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
- Add the cooked cauliflower to an 8X8 baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle the bacon over the cauliflower. Set aside.
- Add the eggs to a medium-size bowl and whisk well. Add the flour slowly, constantly whisking to prevent lumps. When the flour is incorporated, add in the milk and cream. Whisk to combine. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to combine. Add one and one-half cups of the gruyere cheese and mix well.
- Pour the milk and egg mixture evenly over the cauliflower and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the gratin is puffed and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve immediately.
What to serve it with:
I served this delicious cauliflower recipe with my Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Stuffing for a special dinner, and both were delicious and easy to prepare. A tossed salad would round things out nicely.
Sharon’s tips:
- If you don’t have gruyere cheese, which adds a nutty, salty flavor to this dish, you can substitute Swiss, Emmental, Jarlsberg, or Raclette cheese.
- Easy Cauliflower Cheese Bake is substantial enough that you can also serve it as a meatless main dish.
- Make sure to drain your cauliflower thoroughly after cooking if not, your casserole might be watery.
- Instead of par-cooking the cauliflower in the microwave, you can add it and two teaspoons of salt to a large pot of boiling water and cook for five minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Leftovers will keep covered in your fridge for up to four days. I don’t recommend freezing them. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave for a minute or so.
Related recipes:
If you like side dish recipes like this, you might also like these other popular recipes:
- Southern Sweet Onion Casserole
- Baked Pineapple Casserole
- Baked Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Parmesan Potatoes Au Gratin
- Baked Mushroom Casserole
- Easy Spicy Southern Corn Casserole
Need more ideas? Here is a link to all of my side dish recipes.
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Easy Creamy Cauliflower Bake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 5 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 8 oz gruyere cheese grated (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut the head of cauliflower in half and then into quarters through the core. Then, run your knife between the florets and the stem and cut the stem out. Discard the stem and cut any large florets into smaller pieces.
- To par-cook the cauliflower in the microwave, add it to a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for four minutes. You can also toss it in olive oil and roast it in a 425-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
- Add the cooked cauliflower to an 8X8 baking dish, which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle the bacon over the cauliflower. Set aside.
- Add the eggs to a medium-size bowl and whisk well. Add the flour slowly, constantly whisking to prevent lumps. When the flour is incorporated, add in the milk and cream. Whisk to combine. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to combine. Add one and one-half cups of the gruyere cheese and mix well.
- Pour the milk and egg mixture evenly over the cauliflower and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is puffed and golden and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
**This recipe was originally published on December 18, 2017. Republished on December 20, 2020, with new photos, expanded tips, and directions.
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