Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme
A rich, cheesy baked cauliflower gratin infused with fresh thyme, perfect as a comforting keto-friendly side dish. This french-inspired keto (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs heavy cream, grated Gruyère cheese, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 large head (about 6 cups) cauliflower florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1, minced garlic clove
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Steam 6 cups cauliflower florets until just tender, about 5 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter and sauté 1 minced garlic clove for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, heating gently until warm but not boiling.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.
- Step 4: Place cauliflower in a buttered 9x9-inch baking dish. Pour cheese sauce evenly over cauliflower, then sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup Gruyère and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep heavy cream from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
