Description
Cauliflower bake brings comfort straight to your dinner table with melted cheese and golden-brown edges that make family members ask for seconds. Creamy, cheesy goodness turns this simple vegetable side dish into a crowd-pleasing favorite everyone will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese
Dairy Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Steam 4-5 cups of cauliflower florets in a large pot for 5-6 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Whisk 1 cup cream cheese, ½ cup milk, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Drain the cauliflower and transfer to the baking dish. Pour the creamy mixture over the florets and sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese and ½ cup Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
- Mix 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley in a separate bowl.
- Spread the breadcrumb mixture uniformly across the cheese-covered cauliflower.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the cheese bubbles around the edges.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Notes
- Always choose a fresh, firm cauliflower head for the best texture and flavor in this bake.
- Drain the cauliflower thoroughly after boiling to prevent a watery final dish.
- Use sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses for a more complex and rich sauce.
- Gluten-free option: Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free panko or almond flour to create a crispy topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 338 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg