Cauliflower au Gratin Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Allow me to introduce you to this cheesyCauliflower au Gratin, your new favorite easy low-carb recipe! Roasted cauliflower is coated in a sauce made with Gruyere and Parmesan cheese, then baked in the oven. Serve this healthy vegetarian casserole for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday dinner when you want to impress!

The BEST Cauliflower au Gratin Recipe

To say this Cauliflower au Gratin is out-of-this-world delicious would be the understatement of the year. Even my picky eaters in the family went back for seconds and thirds of this low-carb casserole!

(Something thisMashed CauliflowerandWhole Roasted Cauliflowerhave been famous for!)

Unlike other cauliflower casseroles, this one doesn’t get soggy or mushy on you.

The trick?! Cauliflower is cut into bite-sized florets and then ROASTED in the oven. (Much like in thisRoasted Cauliflowerrecipe.)

Yup! No boiling or steaming! Roasting the cauliflower in the oven cooks it without making the dish too water. (Plus, it gets so much more flavor!)

It’s then covered in a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce, topped with a Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, and broiled until golden and crispy. This cauliflower au gratin recipe has the classic flavor you love but is actually better for you!

Leaving you more room in your tummy to enjoy those yummyThanksgiving dinner side dishesandpumpkin pie.

What Does “au Gratin” Mean?

“Au Gratin” is a French word that simply means “by grating.” It normally means the dish is topped with grated cheese and/or breadcrumbs and then baked until browned. Popular variations are made with potatoes or cauliflower, sometimes referred to as simply “Potato Gratin” or “Cauliflower Gratin”.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower.You’ll need one large head of cauliflower, about 3 pounds, to give you roughly 5 cups of chopped florets.
• Flour.If you’re gluten-free, you can use a 1-to-1 blend, but all purpose works great if not.
• Milk.Oat milk was tested in this recipe to reduce the amount of dairy while keeping things thick. Heavy cream or regular whole milk may also be substituted. Almond milk is too thin, and the taste of coconut milk will be overpowering so avoid these.
• Shredded Cheese.The best shredded cheese for this homemade cheese sauce is Gruyere. Shredded mozzarella, mild cheddar, Swiss cheese or white cheddar will also work.
• Parmesan.A little bit of Parmesan cheese is mixed into the sauce as well as sprinkled on top for a delightful crunch.
• Breadcrumbs.Panko breadcrumbs add to the crunchy texture. If keto, either leave them out or substitute with pork-rind crumbs.
• Spices & Herbs.A hint of dried thyme and a bit of ground coriander accent the cheeses selected. Feel free to get a little creative and try out dried rosemary and tarragon or a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, instead.

How to Make a Cauliflower au Gratin

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Prepare & Roast Cauliflower

Whencutting the head cauliflower into florets, you’ll want to make them as close to the same size as possible. Larger florets will give you a crunchier bite while smaller florets tend to overcook easily. So it’s best if you make your florets no smaller than about 1-inch in size.

Toss the cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then bake in an even layer in a 13 by 9-inch baking or casserole dish at 450°F for 15-20 minutes.

2. Make the Creamy Sauce

You’ll first start by whisking together a bit of garlic, butter, and flour together in a medium saucepan or large skillet over medium heat. It is extremely important you whisk it over heat until it is nice and thick. This paste acts as the binder for the sauce.

Slowly add in room temperature milk ¼-cup at a time. If needed, heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or leave it out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. After each addition of milk, whisk the sauce until it is smooth and begins to thicken. Repeat this process over the course of 3-5 minutes.

Then, mix in the shredded cheese, seasonings, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.

3. Assemble the Casserole

Pour the cheesy sauce over the cooked cauliflower and toss to combine.

Mix together the remaining Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl and sprinkle over the cauliflower.

Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F and return the cauliflower dish to the oven for 20-25 minutes.It should be golden brown on the top.

Is cauliflower gratin healthy?

Cauliflower gratin is low in carbs and features cauliflower, which is a healthy vegetable. However, the cheese included contains fat which can be considered unhealthy depending on your dietary needs.

FAQs

Other Holiday-Worthy Side Dishes

When entertaining during the holidays and special occasions, the food is the star of the show! Whip up any of these sides next to the main dish to impress anyone at the table.

Scalloped PotatoesandSweet Potatoes au Gratinare to die for.

Keep things light with aRoasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheeseor aShaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.

And don’t miss out onBacon-Wrapped AsparagusorCrispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts.

More Cauliflower Recipes

If you loved this creamy cauliflower au gratin, get the most out of this healthy vegetable by trying it in a variety of recipes!

,Air Fryer Cauliflower, andRoasted Cauliflowerare super simple.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower,Healthy Cauliflower Soup, andGarlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflowertake a little more time but are totally worth it.