Keep dinner simple tonight with this quick and easy Cheesy Cauliflower! Blanched cauliflower is mixed with a homemade stovetop cheddar cheese sauce to create the most comforting, and kid-friendly side dish.
Easy cheesy cauliflower recipe
There’s no arguing that cheese sauce makes everything better. It can be a real life-saver when you’re trying to get your family to eat vegetables too. Just like my Cheesy Broccoli and Cheesy Brussels Sprouts, this cheesy cauliflower side dish is one of my favorite recipes made with cauliflower. It’s a comforting, kid-approved dish that will save the day and even win over picky eaters!
For this recipe, the cauliflower florets are lightly blanched in boiling water and then combined with a creamy, savory cheddar sauce whisked on the stove. The result is a perfectly comforting steamed cauliflower with cheese that’s rich, flavorful, and so much better than store-bought. For a more indulgent version, you can also check out my Cheesy and Creamy Cauliflower Casserole.
How to Make Cheesy Cauliflower
Cook the cauliflower first so you can just throw it into the finished cheese sauce. Boil salted water and cook cauliflower florets until fork-tender. Drain and set aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper, then whisk in the milk until smooth.
Add the shredded cheese and stir until it’s completely melted.
To finish the cheesy cauliflower, add the blanched cauliflower to the pot with the cheese sauce, stir to coat, then serve!
Storing and Freezing Leftovers (Or Batch Making)
Leftover cheesy cauliflower keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. If you’re making a couple batches to freeze, let the cauliflower cool completely, then divide it into freezer-safe bags. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat for a quick, comforting side dish that tastes just like fresh.
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Cheesy Cauliflower
PrintIngredients
- 1 large head cauliflower chopped up into florets, about 6 cups
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pieces of cauliflower, reduce heat to medium and boil for 5-10 minutes or until a fork easily slides into the cauliflower. Drain cauliflower.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter with garlic. Stir in flour, salt and pepper and mix for 1 minute. Add milk in and whisk until smooth. Add shredded cheese and mix, until cheese is completely melted and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower florets into cheese sauce and stir to fully coat them. Cook for 3 more minutes. Serve and enjoy this cheesy cauliflower!
Timothy Weiss says
This cheese sauce was the BOMB. I’ve never made a cheese sauce before so simple yet so delicious.
Susan says
This was really delicious. Very easy to make, and the butter garlic flavor in the sauce was really good. I did add a bit of dijon mustard to my sauce. Would make this again.
Carolyn Danes says
I’m not a strong chef but have been trying. This recipe was so easy and it turned out fabulously! It was so delicious, I will be making this all of the time!!
tijuana helms says
Very quick and very very good. The cheese sauce is fantastic and the easiest I have ever made. Will be eating this a lot.
Pamela Reed says
So happy to hear you liked this cauliflower recipe Tijuana! Keep on enjoying! 🙂
Daren D says
Such a great recipe, and so easy!
I like to pour the cheese-coated cauliflower into a casserole dish, sprinkle with some more grated cheese, maybe some sliced tomato depending on mood, and then broil until lightly browned on top. Just adds a little ‘fanciness’ to the dish.
Anyway, love this – Thanks!