Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe

This Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe is a creamy and crispy recipe, which features tender cauliflower florets wrapped in salty Parma ham. It’s an elegant starter or light lunch, ready in about 35 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe Ingredients

• 300g (10½oz) cauliflower, broken into small florets (about the size of a strawberry)
• 150g (5oz) full-fat cream cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 75g (3oz) mature Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• 25g (1oz) Parmesan cheese, coarsely grated
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 12 slices Parma ham
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe

1. Prep the oven and tray: Preheat the oven to 220°C / 200°C Fan / Gas 7. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper to prevent the cheese from sticking if it bubbles out.
2. Parboil the cauliflower: Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and boil for about 3–4 minutes. They should be slightly soft but still have a “bite” (al dente). Drain immediately and refresh under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain again thoroughly; pat dry with kitchen paper if necessary.
3. Make the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, beaten egg, grated Cheddar, grated Parmesan, and Dijon mustard together until combined. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper (go easy on the salt as the ham and cheese are salty).
4. Combine: Add the cooked, cooled cauliflower florets to the cheese mixture. Carefully mix to coat the cauliflower completely without breaking the florets apart.
5. Assemble the parcels: Place one slice of Parma ham on a board. Place a second slice on top perpendicular to the first to make a cross shape (+). Spoon one-sixth of the cauliflower cheese mixture into the centre of the cross. Fold the ends of the ham over the top to encase the mixture completely into a neat parcel. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 6 parcels.
6. Bake: Place the parcels, seam-side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Cook in the preheated oven for about 15–18 minutes until the Parma ham is golden and crispy and the filling is hot.
7. Serve: Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Recipe Tips

• Cauliflower Size: Keep the florets small (strawberry-sized). If they are too big, the parcel will be bulky and difficult to wrap, and the ratio of cheese to vegetable will be off.
• Drain Well: It is crucial to drain the cauliflower very well after cooling. Excess water will make the cheese sauce runny and prevent the ham from crisping up at the bottom.
• Ham Choice: Use Parma ham or Prosciutto. You need a cured ham that is thin enough to wrap easily but fatty enough to crisp up in the oven. Standard cooked ham will not work.
• Make Ahead: As Mary notes, you can assemble these parcels up to 6 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Just bake them when you are ready to eat.

What To Serve With Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels

These parcels are rich and salty, so they need fresh, simple sides.

• Green Salad: A crisp vinaigrette salad cuts through the cream cheese.
• Balsamic Glaze: A drizzle on the plate adds sweetness.
• Crusty Bread: To mop up any cheese that escapes.
• Chutney: A tomato or onion chutney pairs well with the cheddar.

How To Store Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe

• Refrigerate: These are best eaten fresh for the crunch, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: Reheat in a hot oven (200°C) for 10 minutes to crisp the ham back up. Do not microwave, or the ham will become soggy.
• Freeze: This recipe is not suitable for freezing. The cream cheese mixture will split and become watery upon thawing.

Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Parcels Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320
• Total Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 950mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 4g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 22g

Nutrition information is estimated per parcel based on 6 parcels.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Cheese Straws​ Recipe
• Mary Berry Cheese Scones​ Recipe
• Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites Recipe