Ahhh cauliflower cheese 🧀🥦 — cozy, nostalgic, dangerously good when done right. Here’s a luxury-level, ultra-cheesy version that still feels simple.
🧀 Perfect Cauliflower Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2½ cups whole milk (warm if you can)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt (to taste)
- Black pepper
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar, grated
- ½ cup Gruyère (or more cheddar if needed)
- Optional: ¼ cup Parmesan (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook cauliflower in salted boiling water 5–7 min until just tender.
Drain really well (no watery sauce crimes). - Make the cheese sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Stir in flour, cook 1 min.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and thick.
- Add Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Turn heat low, stir in cheddar + Gruyère until melted and silky.
- Fold cauliflower into the sauce.
- Transfer to baking dish, sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 20–25 min until bubbling.
- Optional but elite: broil 2–3 min for golden top.
Make It Even Better
- 🔥 Add a pinch of cayenne or mustard powder
- 🥓 Crispy bacon or pancetta on top
- 🌿 Thyme or chives for freshness
- 🍞 Breadcrumbs tossed in butter for crunch
Why This One Slaps
- Sharp cheese = flavor
- Gruyère = melt & depth
- Dijon = subtle tang, not “mustardy”
- Dry cauliflower = thick, clingy sauce
Want British pub style, extra crispy topping, or low-carb/keto tweaks? I’ve got you 😌
