Oven-Baked Cauliflower Cheese: How Long Does It Take?

Cauliflower cheese is a British dish that can be served as a side or a vegetarian main course. It is a cauliflower bake smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. The cauliflower is boiled or roasted before being covered in cheese sauce and baked in the oven. But how long does it spend in the oven?

Boil the cauliflower

The first step in making cauliflower cheese is preparing the cauliflower. Cut a large head of cauliflower into florets. You can also break it into pieces with your hands. For a medium cauliflower, you will need around 700g.

Next, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. The pan should be large enough to fit the entire head of cauliflower. Add a pinch of salt to the water. You can also add a tablespoon of English mustard powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper for some extra flavour.

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the cauliflower and cook for 4-7 minutes. You want the cauliflower to be almost cooked but still slightly firm. It should still have a bit of colour on it and be a little crunchy. Be careful not to overcook the cauliflower at this stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven.

When the cauliflower is done, drain it in a colander and let it cool slightly. You want to make sure the cauliflower is as dry as possible before adding it to the ovenproof dish. Give it a gentle shake to remove any excess water.

Make the cheese sauce

To make the cheese sauce, you'll need butter, flour, milk, cheese, and seasonings. For the cheese, a strong-flavoured cheese like cheddar works well, but you can also use Edam or Gouda for an authentic Dutch flavour. For the seasonings, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg are a great combination.

Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously until the mixture turns golden and forms a smooth paste. This is called a roux and it will help to thicken your sauce.

Next, slowly add the milk to the roux, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon to avoid lumps. Keep stirring over the heat until the mixture thickens, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.

At this point, you can turn off the heat and start stirring in your cheese. Add most of the grated cheese to the saucepan, reserving a small amount to sprinkle on top of the dish later. Stir until the cheese is melted and well combined.

Finally, season the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. If you don't have nutmeg, you can omit it, but it adds a nice depth of flavour to the dish.

Once your cheese sauce is ready, pour it over the cooked cauliflower in the ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top, and you're ready to put it in the oven!

Drain the cauliflower

After boiling or roasting the cauliflower, it's important to drain it well. This step is crucial to ensure that your cauliflower cheese doesn't become watery. Place the cooked cauliflower in a colander and shake gently to remove any excess water. If you're boiling the cauliflower, you can also use a slotted spoon to lift it out of the cooking water and into a bowl or plate to drain.

Once the cauliflower is drained, it's time to transfer it to an ovenproof dish. You can use a glass or ceramic baking dish, or even a cast-iron skillet if you're going for a rustic look. Just make sure that your dish is large enough to hold the cauliflower in a single layer, with a little extra space for the cheese sauce.

Now it's time to make the cheese sauce. For a classic béchamel sauce, melt some butter in a saucepan and add an equal amount of flour to form a roux. Cook this mixture for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until it turns a light golden colour. Then, gradually add milk, whisking continuously, until the sauce is smooth and thickened.

For an extra indulgent touch, you can add cream to your béchamel sauce. Simply heat the milk and cream together before adding them to the roux. This will give your sauce an extra-luxurious finish, perfect for when you're serving cauliflower cheese to guests or for a special occasion.

Of course, the most important ingredient in cauliflower cheese is the cheese itself. A sharp cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use Red Leicester for a vibrant orange colour and a nutty flavour. If you're feeling fancy, go for Gruyère, a Swiss cheese with superior melting qualities.

Once your cheese sauce is ready, it's time to combine all the elements. Pour the sauce over the drained cauliflower in the ovenproof dish. Use a spoon to ensure that all the florets are coated evenly.

For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle some breadcrumbs over the cauliflower before baking. You can use regular breadcrumbs or Panko for an extra crunch. Finally, pop the dish in the oven and bake until bubbly and golden.

Now you know the steps to ensure your cauliflower cheese is drained properly and ready for the oven. Enjoy this classic side dish, perfect for a cosy night in or a lavish Sunday roast!

Combine the cheese sauce and cauliflower

To combine the cheese sauce and cauliflower, start by making the cheese sauce. To do this, melt butter in a saucepan, then add flour and cook for 1-3 minutes. For a basic cheese sauce, you can then add milk and stir until smooth, before cooking over a gentle heat until thickened. Turn off the heat and add grated cheese, stirring until the sauce is thick.

For a more complex cheese sauce, you can add milk a little at a time, stirring continuously, and then return the pan to the heat and cook on low for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can then stir in the grated cheese and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Once your sauce is ready, you can add the roasted or boiled cauliflower to the saucepan and mix to coat the florets in the sauce. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with more grated cheese.

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling and golden brown.

Some recipes suggest sprinkling breadcrumbs over the cheese sauce before baking for some added texture.

Bake in the oven

Once you have made your cheese sauce and coated your roasted cauliflower, it's time to bake it in the oven.

Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F or 200°C/Gas 6. Transfer the coated cauliflower to an ovenproof dish. If you are using breadcrumbs, sprinkle them on top of the cauliflower now. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-30 minutes. You will know it is ready when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.

If you are making a crispy topping with cheese and breadcrumbs, sprinkle this over the cauliflower after the initial baking time and then return the dish to the oven for a further 10-15 minutes.

Your cauliflower cheese is now ready to serve!

Frequently asked questions