Whether you’re looking for a veggie-packed alternative to baked mac and cheese or a decadent side dish for a holiday dinner, this cauliflower gratin is the perfect thing. While there are a few more steps and dishes used in this recipe than I usually post about, each step is so simple and easy that it’s hard to mess this up. I mean, it’s hard to mess ANYTHING smothered in a cheese sauce up! Plus, you only need a few ingredients and you can assemble it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Cauliflower – I cut florets from a large head of cauliflower. You can buy pre-cut florets or use frozen if you prefer.ButterAll-purpose flour – use gluten-free if necessary.Milk – preferably whole, but you can use low fat or skim for a lighter version.Gruyere cheese – this is a bit pricy but absolutely delicious. Use sharp cheddar as an alternative.Parmesan cheese – or another hard Italian style cheese like Romano or AsagioBreadcrumbs – plain regular breadcrumbs work great, and panko breadcrumbs work too.
How to make Cauliflower Gratin
Can I make cauliflower gratin ahead of time?
You can assemble the gratin ahead of time, but I don’t recommend baking it and reheating it, as the breadcrumbs will get soggy stored in the fridge. Assemble the gratin and mix the breadcrumb mixture and store separately in your fridge up to 48 hours in advance. When you are ready to cook, just top with breadcrumbs and bake! You may need 5-10 minutes longer since it will be cold to start.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Sure! Just use gluten free flour for the cheese sauce, and gluten free breadcrumbs. Or, you can omit the breadcrumb and butter mixture and just top with the extra cheese before baking.
Are the leftovers OK to eat?
The leftovers are delicious, but keep in mind the breadcrumbs will get soggy when stored in the fridge. Cauliflower gratin is best served fresh. You can store leftovers for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I make this with another vegetable?
You can easily substitute the cauliflower for broccoli with the exact same instructions, or use a mix of cauliflower and broccoli. Other veggies may take more or less time to cook, so keep that in mind if you want to use something else. You may have to adjust accordingly, or look up another recipe for cooking times and instructions.
What should I serve with cauliflower gratin?
While I could eat cauliflower gratin as a meal on its own, it’s really meant as a side dish. I love it with simple turkey breast or roast chicken. Or serve it with salmon patties or poached salmon, or a simple pan-seared steak. For a vegetarian option, try serving it with white bean and spinach patties or mashed potato cakes.
Other cauliflower recipes
Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings”Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and RaisinsMashed Cauliflower with Butter and HerbsCurried Cauliflower Soup
Other easy vegetable side dishes
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and LemonMaple and Rosemary Glazed Sweet PotatoesHerb Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic GlazeMoroccan Spice Roasted Butternut Squash
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