Hairy Bikers Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

This easy cauliflower cheese is warm, cheesy, and super comforting. It’s made with roasted cauliflower and a creamy cheese sauce, then baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect as a side dish for roast dinners or on its own for a cozy meal.

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Ingredients Needed:

Roasted cauliflower:

• 1kg / 2 lb cauliflower florets 
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Cheese sauce (Mornay sauce):

• 60g / 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3½ tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 cup cream 
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt 
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder 
• 1 cup Red Leicester cheese 
• 1/2 cup gruyère cheese 

Topping:

• 1/2 cup Red Leicester cheese 
• 1/2 cup gruyère cheese 

How To Make Cauliflower Cheese Recipe?

1. Preheat the oven: set it to 220°C.
2. Roast the cauliflower: toss the cauliflower with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread it out on a baking tray and roast for 20 minutes without turning. It should be golden and still a bit firm. Take it out, then lower the oven to 180°C.
3. Heat the milk and cream: warm them together in a small pot or microwave until hot.
4. Make the roux: melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir for 3 minutes until smooth.
5. Add the milk: pour in half the warm milk while stirring. Once it thickens, add the rest and keep stirring for 1 minute until creamy.
6. Add the cheese: turn off the heat but leave the pan on the stove. Stir in salt, nutmeg, Red Leicester, and gruyère until the sauce is smooth and cheesy.
7. Mix in the cauliflower: add the roasted cauliflower to the sauce and stir gently until coated.
8. Transfer to baking dish: spoon the mixture into a 2L baking dish (around 30 x 20 cm).
9. Add the topping: sprinkle the rest of the grated cheeses evenly on top.
10. Bake: place in the oven at 180°C and bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
11. Rest and serve: let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. You can add parsley on top if you like.

Recipe Tips:

• Roast the cauliflower properly: don’t skip roasting—it gives the cauliflower a nice flavor and keeps it from getting soggy in the sauce. Make sure it’s slightly golden before taking it out.
• Use hot milk and cream for the sauce: warm liquid mixes better with the flour and butter, so your sauce turns out smooth without lumps.
• Stir the roux for a full 3 minutes: cooking the butter and flour together long enough removes the raw flour taste and makes your cheese sauce richer.
• Turn off the heat before adding cheese: if the sauce is too hot, the cheese might split and turn grainy. Add it after turning off the stove, and stir gently.
• Pack the cheese tightly in the cup: if using cup measurements, press the cheese in firmly to get the right amount—loose cheese won’t give the same creamy texture.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover cauliflower cheese cool completely to room temperature. Then place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: place the cauliflower cheese in a pan over low heat, cover with a lid, and warm slowly while stirring occasionally until heated through.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 604 kcal
• Total Fat: 52g
• Saturated Fat: 30g
• Cholesterol: 148mg
• Sodium: 876mg
• Potassium: 758mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 19g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 20g

Try More Hairy Bikers Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Chicken and Mushroom Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Cheese and Onion Pie Recipe