Cauliflower Cheese: Cooking Time And Tips For A Quick Dish

Cauliflower cheese is a classic comfort food that can be served as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish. The cooking time for cauliflower cheese depends on the size of the florets, but it is important to note that overcooking can result in a soggy and unappetising dish. The cauliflower should be boiled or steamed until it is almost cooked before being drained and placed in an oven-proof dish. The cheese sauce, typically made with a roux or cornflour base, milk, and cheese, is then poured over the cauliflower and baked or grilled until golden and bubbling. The total cooking time for cauliflower cheese is around 30-45 minutes, including the time to make the sauce and bake the dish.

Boiling the cauliflower

First, you will want to bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. The amount of water will depend on the size of your saucepan, but make sure it is enough to fully cover the cauliflower. Once the water is boiling, you can add the cauliflower. If you are cooking a whole cauliflower, you may need to break it down into florets before adding it to the water. Alternatively, you can cook the whole head of cauliflower, as suggested by Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham in "The Prawn Cocktail Years". They recommend steaming the entire vegetable in a close-fitting pan for 15-20 minutes. However, most recipes suggest boiling individual florets for a shorter period of time.

The exact timing will depend on the size of your florets, but it is generally recommended to boil the cauliflower for 3-7 minutes, or until it is almost tender. It is important not to overcook the cauliflower at this stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven later. You want the cauliflower to retain a bit of bite so that it doesn't collapse into the sauce.

Once the cauliflower is done boiling, be sure to drain it thoroughly and keep it warm while you prepare the cheese sauce. Some recipes also suggest frying the drained cauliflower in butter before adding it to the baking dish to enhance the flavour.

In summary, boiling the cauliflower is a key step in making cauliflower cheese. Be sure to use enough water to cover the cauliflower, boil it for the appropriate amount of time (3-7 minutes for florets), and drain it thoroughly when done. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to making a delicious cauliflower cheese dish!

Making the sauce

The sauce for your cauliflower cheese is a classic bechamel, or a cheese sauce. It's important to watch this like a hawk, as it can go wrong very quickly!

Ingredients

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Cheese
• Mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Method

First, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium-low heat. Then, add the flour and stir until it is mixed in fully. Keep cooking over a very low heat for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to let it burn!

Next, add the milk very slowly. Add a little splash at a time, stirring constantly until you have a smooth sauce. Keep an eye on your sauce as it can quickly go wrong! If your sauce goes lumpy, use a whisk to beat out the lumps.

Once you have a nice thick and velvety white sauce, turn off the heat and stir in the mustard, if using, and black pepper. Then, add most of your grated cheese and stir until it melts.

Top tips

• Use cornflour instead of plain flour to avoid lumps
• Use whole milk, or semi-skimmed, but not skimmed
• Use a mature or sharp cheddar for a strong flavour
• Add a little Dijon mustard to your sauce for an extra savoury kick

Oven temperature

Most recipes for cauliflower cheese recommend an oven temperature between 190°C and 220°C (around 400°F). For example, one recipe suggests preheating your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Another recipe recommends an oven temperature of 190°C/170°C fan/gas mark 5.

Choosing the right oven temperature will ensure your cauliflower cheese is cooked through and has a desirable texture. Too low a temperature may result in a soggy dish, while too high a temperature could lead to overcooking or burning.

It is worth noting that some recipes suggest finishing the dish under the grill to achieve a golden, crispy topping without overcooking the cauliflower. This can be a good option if you are concerned about the oven temperature affecting the texture of your cauliflower.

Additionally, it is important to ensure your oven is fully preheated before putting your cauliflower cheese inside. This will help ensure even cooking and the best final result.

In summary, selecting an appropriate oven temperature is crucial when cooking cauliflower cheese. By choosing a temperature between 190°C and 220°C, you can ensure your dish is cooked through and has a desirable texture. Finishing under the grill is also an option to achieve a golden, crispy topping.

Baking time

Once you've made your cheese sauce and prepared your cauliflower, it's time to combine the two and pop your dish in the oven. But how long does it need to bake for?

Most sources recommend baking your cauliflower cheese for around 20 minutes. This should be enough time for the cheese to melt and the top to turn a delicious golden brown. However, one source recommends baking for 25-30 minutes, and another suggests that the baking time will depend on the size of your florets. So, it's important to keep an eye on your dish and adjust the baking time as needed.

If you're reheating leftover cauliflower cheese, it's best to place it in an oven-proof dish and reheat it in the oven at 220°C (200°C fan/gas mark 7/425°F) for about 15 minutes, or until it's piping hot all the way through. You may want to cover the dish with foil for the first 10 minutes to prevent it from drying out.

It's worth noting that if you're making a large batch of cauliflower cheese, you may need to increase the baking time to ensure that it's heated through. Similarly, if you're reheating a large amount of leftovers, you may need to allow for a longer reheating time.

Now that you know the baking time, you're ready to enjoy a delicious and comforting dish of cauliflower cheese!

Freezing and reheating

Cauliflower cheese can be frozen but the sauce may turn thin and watery upon defrosting. It is best to consume the dish fresh. If you do decide to freeze it, cook it from chilled for 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the size of the dish, in an oven set to 180 °C. Make sure the dish is piping hot all the way through before serving.

To reheat cauliflower cheese, place it in an oven-proof dish in an oven set to 220 °C (200 °C fan / gas mark 7 / 425 °F) for 15 to 20 minutes or until piping hot all the way through. Cover the dish with foil for the first 10 minutes to prevent the dish from drying out.

You can also reheat cauliflower cheese in the microwave. Start with 1.5 minutes per portion, then prod and heat for longer if needed.

Another option is to use an air fryer. Reheat the dish for 8 minutes and check if it needs longer.

Frequently asked questions