Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin
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The BEST way to eat cauliflower for Thanksgiving, Christmas and beyond is in a Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin! Topped with bacon, this side dish tastes amazing!
The holidays are coming. I keep trying to forget it but it doesn’t change the fact that Thanksgiving is next week and will be quickly followed by Christmas. During the holidays, I am totally a side dish and dessert person!
Sure, I like the turkey but the sides, like stuffing {or this one} and vegetables {green or starchy} are where I really focus. To add a little variety to our side dish menu this year, I’m going to make a Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin.
Since focusing more on the paleo way of eating, cauliflower has become a staple in our house. Of course, this cauliflower au gratin version is filled with a gooey cheese sauce so it is far from paleo. BUT, it does have a healthy vegetable tucked in there so it is all good!
Cheesy Cauliflower Bake Ingredients
- Cauliflower Florets
- Bacon
- Butter
- Flour
- Whole Milk
- Pepper Jack Cheese: You can substitute this with your favorite cheese.
- Spices and Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning
- Panko Crumbs
Essential Items for This Recipe
- Casserole dish
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
I tried this cauliflower side dish with a mixture of gruyere and gouda cheese in place of the pepper jack and it was so good too. So, if you prefer to skip the little bit of heat that the pepper jack cheese gives, the blend would be a good substitute.
More Great Holiday Side Dish Recipes
- 12 Delicious Gluten Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Quinoa Stuffing with Pancetta
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
- Sweet Potato Casserole
Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cauliflower Florets
- 8 slices Bacon cooked and crumbled
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Topping:
- 3 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1/3 cup Panko Crumbs
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Steam cauliflower until crisp/tender; about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.4 cups Cauliflower Florets
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 30 seconds.3 Tablespoons Butter, 3 Tablespoons Flour
- Slowly add in milk letting each addition fully incorporate before adding in more. {I work in about 1/4 cup increments}. Bring to simmer and simmer, whisking frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened.2 cups Whole Milk
- Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in cauliflower.2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Pour cauliflower mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with crumbled bacon.8 slices Bacon
- Combine 3 tablespoons of melted butter with panko crumbs and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle on top of bacon3 Tablespoons Butter, 1/3 cup Panko Crumbs, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Nutrition
