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Side Dishes

Baked Cauliflower Casserole

Learn how to make a creamy, golden baked cauliflower casserole with béchamel and potatoes, an easy, tasty recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Recipe Baked Cauliflower Casserole
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Preparation 20 minutes
  • Cooking 55 minutes
  • Servings for 6 people

If you’re looking for a dish that is full of flavor yet light at the same time, cauliflower casserole is a perfect choice for any occasion. This baked vegetarian recipe combines the delicate taste of baked cauliflower with the creaminess of béchamel, creating a casserole that wins you over right away with its soft texture and the wonderful aroma that fills the kitchen while it bakes. Perfect both as a baked vegetable side dish and as a vegetable main dish, this casserole will make kids and grown-ups happy and become a real go-to for your family dinners.

Making a casserole with béchamel is easier than you think: just boil the cauliflower, combine it with soft potatoes and enrich everything with a light béchamel, then finish with a sprinkle of grated cheese and brown it in the oven. The result? A casserole for dinner that warms up the table and makes even a weeknight meal special, perfect if you’re looking for a light cauliflower recipe to treat yourself without feeling weighed down. You can enjoy it straight out of the oven, when the top is golden and crisp, or serve it the next day as a quick lunch: it’s always just as good.

This meatless cauliflower gratin is also ideal if you want to serve a variation on the classic gratin, full of vegetables and easy to make. If you love trying new takes on cauliflower, check out the Cauliflower au Gratin, the flavorful Baked Breaded Cauliflower, or be tempted by the Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin. For an even more rustic version, try the Oven-Roasted Cauliflower, or keep it simple with the Baked Cauliflower.

Bring color, lightness and flavor to the table with this easy gratin recipe, sure to satisfy with every bite.

Ingredients for 6 people

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Method

  1. To make the baked cauliflower casserole, start by cleaning the cauliflower: wash it well under running water and keep only the florets. Boil or steam them until they are very soft. While the cauliflower cooks, wash the potatoes well, then cook them in plenty of salted water until soft. When they are ready, take them off the heat, peel them and mash them in a bowl with a potato ricer to make a purée. Then let them cool completely. When the cauliflower is cooked too, take it out of the pot and leave it in a bowl to cool.
  2. When both the mashed potatoes and the cauliflower are completely cool, combine them in the same bowl and add the béchamel, grated Parmigiano, egg, salt and pepper. Stir gently until all the ingredients are combined, then pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish.
    Making baked cauliflower casserole, step 2
  3. Cover the whole surface of the casserole with grated Parmigiano, then bake for 40 minutes at 180 °C (350 °F), or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly. Take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly, then serve your baked cauliflower casserole. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

You can make your baked cauliflower casserole richer by adding diced ham or pancetta. For a really gooey dish, you can also add slices or cubes of mozzarella.

Tips

To make your baked cauliflower casserole even tastier, I recommend making Homemade Béchamel.

Storage

Baked cauliflower casserole is best eaten right away, but if you have leftovers you can keep them in the fridge for a couple of days in an airtight container. If you used only fresh ingredients, you can also freeze it.

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