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White Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin
4.3 from 12 votes

White Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin

Cauliflower is coated with a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, covered with Panko and baked to perfection. And let's not forget the bacon! The perfect comforting side dish on chilly evenings, also the perfect addition to your holiday menu.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 7
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 (3 lb) cauliflower cut into large florets
  • salt freshly ground
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese divided, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese finely shredded
  • 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • olive oil spray
  • 3 lices Bacon chopped and cooked
  • 1 Tbsp parsley chopped, fresh

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook florets until tender but still firm, about 5 - 6 minutes. Drain well.
  3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add in onions and saute until softened, about 4 - 5 minutes. Add in garlic and saute 20 seconds longer. Add in flour and cook whisking constantly, 1 1/2 minutes.
  4.  While whisking slowly pour in milk and add nutmeg. Whisk constantly until mixture reaches a boil, then remove from heat and stir in 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese and the parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour and spread 1/3 of the cheese sauce into a 9 by 9-inch baking dish. Top with drained cauliflower then slowly and evenly pour remaining 2/3 of the cheese sauce over cauliflower. 
  6. Sprinkle over remaining 1/4 cup white cheddar then sprinkle evenly with Panko. Spray Panko with olive oil cooking spray to lightly coat.
  7. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, then broil for 1 - 2 minutes to help brown further as needed. Remove from oven, sprinkle with bacon and parsley and serve warm.