Four cheeses, tender roasted cauliflower and buttery panko breadcrumbs are baked to perfection to make this cheesy Cauliflower Au Gratin! It is the perfect side dish for any occasion!
Why we love this cauliflower au gratin recipe
This creamy cauliflower au gratin is made with jarred alfredo sauce is made with four cheeses and topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs to create a delicious side dish! This is a recipe even your picky eaters will love! It’s perfect for your holiday table or entertaining guests!
Key Ingredients for this Recipe
Head of Cauliflower
You may use fresh cauliflower or frozen for this recipe, but if using frozen, please make sure that the cauliflower is completely drained. If using a head of cauliflower, cut cauliflower into florets.
Alfredo sauce
Instead of using a bechamel sauce, we’re taking a shortcut by using your favorite jarred alfredo sauce! This white sauce makes this cauliflower gratin recipe extra decadent!
Cream cheese
Cream cheese adds a little tang to the dish, and helps make this cheesy cauliflower dish extra cheesy!
Shredded Cheeses
I used a combination of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina, and Provolone. Feel free substitute Gouda, fontina, gruyere or monterrey jack.
Panko breadcrumbs
Combining panko breadcrumbs with a couple tablespoons of butter and adding them to the top of this cauliflower side dish gives a little buttery crunch that everyone loves!
Additional Ingredients
Ground mustard
Black pepper
Salt
Step By Step Instructions To Make This Cauliflower au gratin
Roast fresh cauliflower florets
Break cauliflower head into florets, toss with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast on a sheet pan at 400 F for 15 minutes or until you have tender cauliflower.
Combine cheeses
Combine cheddar, cream cheese, Italian cheese blend and alfredo sauce in a bowl. Mix with a spatula to create a creamy sauce.
Combine sauce with cauliflower
In a large bowl, toss tender cauliflower with the cheese mixture.
Place in baking dish and bake
Place cauliflower in a baking dish or casserole dish and top with additional cheese. Place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes. Melt butter and combine with panko breadcrumbs. Remove cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle panko breadcrumbs and return for an additional 10 minutes.
FAQs and Expert tips
If you want a super smooth sauce, don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t melt as smoothly as freshly shredded cheese from a cheese block due to a preservative that keeps the cheese from clumping together.
Absolutely! Instead of roasting, simply blanch the broccoli in salted boiling water for one minute before adding the cheesy sauce.
Additional recipes to try
Green bean salad – all about the sides? These crispy green beans drizzled with a light lemon vinaigrette and tangy goat cheese crumbles is the perfect green side dish!
Duck breast with blackberry sauce – pair this cheesy casserole with juicy duck breast! It’s a match made in culinary heaven!
Balsamic roasted brussels sprouts – roasted brussels with balsamic reduction and goat cheese is a side dish you’ll be asking for every week!
Print
Easy Cauliflower au Gratin
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 side servings 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Four cheeses, tender roasted cauliflower and buttery panko breadcrumbs are baked to perfection to make this cheesy Cauliflower Au Gratin! It is the perfect side dish for any occasion!
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cloves garlic minced, optional
1 cup jarred alfredo sauce, or homemade
2 ounces cream cheese softened
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded & divided
½ cup Italian cheese blend
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
Parsley for garnish
Instructions
Break cauliflower head into bite-sized florets. Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Place on a baking sheet and roast 15-20 minutes or until tender.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup Italian cheese blend, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1 cup alfredo sauce, mustard powder, black pepper and salt and minced garlic (if desired)
Toss cheese mixture with roasted cauliflower and place in a 2 qt casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Place cauliflower in a baking dish or casserole dish and top with additional cheese. Place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes. Melt butter and combine with panko breadcrumbs. Remove cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle panko breadcrumbs and return for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Garnish with parsley before serving.
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