Cauliflower and Cheddar Baked Gratin

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-21 · Updated 2026-06-21

Tender cauliflower florets baked in a rich and cheesy cheddar cream sauce, topped with golden breadcrumbs for a comforting side dish perfect for any occasion. This French-inspired comfort-food recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs cauliflower florets, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour 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

• 5 cups (about 1 medium head) cauliflower florets
• 3 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp, chopped (optional) fresh thyme leaves

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Steam 5 cups cauliflower florets until just tender, about 7 minutes, then drain well and transfer to a buttered 9x9-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until melted and smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower in the baking dish.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, melt remaining 1 tbsp butter and mix with 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese sauce.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.