Cheesy Baked Cauliflower in Creamy White Sauce — Heaven on a Plate
Some dishes have a way of stopping a table full of people mid-conversation, and this cheesy baked cauliflower is absolutely one of them. Golden on top, impossibly creamy underneath, and bubbling with rich, velvety white sauce, it’s the kind of comfort food that makes everyone reach for seconds — and yes, even fight over the last piece.
Whether you’re serving this as a show-stopping side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main, this recipe delivers every single time. The cauliflower becomes wonderfully tender as it bakes, soaking up all that luscious cheese sauce while the tops turn beautifully bronzed and caramelized. Fresh thyme scattered throughout adds an earthy, aromatic lift that keeps every bite feeling bright rather than heavy.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into large florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or a mix of Gruyère and mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Method
-
Please click the keep on reading button for the full article
