Description
A rich and cheesy gratin made with healthy cauliflower, perfect as a side dish or a vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head cauliflower, about 2½ lbs, cut into medium florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère, divided
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano, divided
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, or ¾ teaspoon dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and place an oven rack in the center.
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 5 minutes, until very al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until bubbling but not browned.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Whisk in 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of pepper, nutmeg, ½ cup of Gruyère, and 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano until smooth.
- Spread one-third of the sauce over the bottom of a 2-quart (8-inch) square baking dish. Arrange the cauliflower evenly on top, then pour the remaining sauce over the florets. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of Gruyère.
- Toss the panko with the olive oil, remaining 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cauliflower.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the gratin cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
For a creamier sauce, consider adding cream or sour cream. You can experiment with different types of cheese or add cooked bacon or ham for a meaty version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg