Cooking Cauliflower Cheese: The Perfect Timing Guide

Cauliflower cheese is a classic 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 and then baked in the oven until golden and bubbling. The cauliflower can be boiled or roasted before being coated in the cheese sauce, and the sauce itself can be made with a variety of different cheeses, such as cheddar, Red Leicester, or gruyère. The dish is then baked in the oven for around 20-30 minutes, until it is golden and bubbling.

How to prepare the cauliflower

Roasting the Cauliflower

The first step in preparing cauliflower cheese is to roast the cauliflower. Preheat your oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan). Cut or break the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, removing the leaves and cutting out the core. Toss the florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on a large baking tray. Roast for about 20 minutes—the cauliflower should still be slightly firm and have some colour.

Boiling the Cauliflower

Alternatively, some recipes suggest boiling the cauliflower instead of roasting it. To do this, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Boil for 3-6 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender but still firm. Drain the cauliflower and transfer it to an ovenproof dish.

Cheese Sauce

While the cauliflower is roasting or boiling, you can prepare the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat, then add flour to create a roux. Cook this mixture for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly, to cook out the rawness of the flour. Be careful not to let the mixture brown—you want a white sauce.

Next, slowly add milk to the roux, whisking continuously to ensure a lump-free sauce. You can also add cream at this stage for a more luxurious finish. Keep stirring the sauce over the heat until it thickens, which should take about 1 minute.

Combining and Baking

Once the sauce is ready, turn off the heat and stir in most of your grated cheese, along with seasonings like salt, pepper, and nutmeg. The cheese will thicken the sauce even further.

Now, it's time to combine the cauliflower and sauce. Add the roasted or boiled cauliflower to the sauce and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, making sure the cauliflower is completely covered by the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Finally, bake in the oven at a temperature between 180-200°C for 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden.

Enjoy your delicious cauliflower cheese!

How to make the cheese sauce

Ingredients

You will need:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Cheese (mature cheddar, Red Leicester, or Gruyère are recommended)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Nutmeg (optional)

Method

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
• Add the flour and stir to make a smooth paste.
• Cook the mixture for a minute, then remove the pan from the heat.
• Gradually add the milk, stirring well after each addition.
• Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Stir in the mustard (if using) and two-thirds of the cheese.
• Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.

The sauce is now ready to be poured over the cooked cauliflower in an ovenproof dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake until golden and bubbling.

Oven temperature and timings

The oven temperature and timings for cooking cauliflower cheese can vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines and tips:

• Preheat the oven to a temperature between 180°C and 220°C. The higher the temperature, the shorter the cooking time.
• Most recipes call for baking the cauliflower cheese for around 20-30 minutes. However, it's important to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the florets. Smaller florets will cook faster, while larger ones may take a few minutes longer.
• It's important not to overcook the cauliflower when boiling or steaming it before it goes into the oven. It should still have a bit of bite and be slightly undercooked, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
• If you are making a large batch or using a particularly dense dish, you may need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
• The cauliflower cheese is done when the topping is crisp, golden, and bubbling. The cheese should be melted and the sauce thickened.
• If you are making ahead and refrigerating or freezing the cauliflower cheese, allow an extra 5-15 minutes of cooking time, as it will take longer to heat through.
• It's better to undercook than overcook cauliflower cheese, as overcooking can result in a soggy, watery dish.
• To prevent overbrowning, you can cover the dish with foil for the first half of the cooking time, then remove the foil to allow the topping to crisp up.

How to tell when it's cooked

Knowing when your cauliflower cheese is cooked is important to ensure the best flavour and texture. The cauliflower should be tender but not mushy, and the cheese sauce should be thick and bubbly. Here are some signs to look out for to know when your cauliflower cheese is cooked just right:

• Cauliflower Texture: The cauliflower should be tender but still slightly firm when cooked. You can test this by piercing a floret with a knife or fork. It should slide in with little resistance, but the cauliflower should not be mushy or falling apart.
• Colour: The cheese sauce should be golden brown and bubbly when it is ready. The cauliflower florets may also have some colour on them if they have been roasted before adding the sauce.
• Sauce Thickness: The cheese sauce should be thick and creamy. When you stir or pour the sauce, it should coat the cauliflower florets evenly and not be runny or watery.
• Cooking Time: Most recipes recommend baking the cauliflower cheese in the oven for around 20-30 minutes. However, it's important to keep an eye on it as oven temperatures can vary. The dish is ready when the sauce is bubbly and golden.
• Smell: The aroma of the dish is also a good indicator. You should be able to smell the melted cheese and the cooked cauliflower. If it smells burnt, it has been in the oven too long.
• Internal Temperature: Although not necessary, you can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the dish. The cauliflower should be cooked to at least 160°F (71°C) to ensure food safety.

Remember, it is always better to undercook than overcook your cauliflower cheese. If it is slightly underdone, you can always put it back in the oven for a few more minutes. Overcooked cauliflower cheese can become dry and mushy, so keep a close eye on it while it is baking.

Serving suggestions

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. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side

Cauliflower cheese is a classic side dish that pairs well with roast dinners. It can accompany a roast chicken slathered in herb and garlic butter or a slow-roast chicken with homemade gravy. It also goes well with roast lamb, such as a leg, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, or lamb rack. For beef lovers, try it with a prime rib or a roast beef Christmas menu, complete with red wine gravy and roasted sprouts. If you're feeling indulgent, pair it with a juicy steak basted with garlic and thyme-infused butter.

As a Main

Cauliflower cheese can also stand alone as a vegetarian main course. To make it a heartier meal, try adding some protein like cooked chicken or bacon bits. For a lighter option, serve it with a side of nacho chips or a fresh green salad. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, pair it with garlic bread or crusty bread to soak up the cheesy sauce.

For a Special Occasion

If you want to elevate your cauliflower cheese, try serving it with a glass of red or white wine. For a fancier presentation, garnish it with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. You can also try adding some extra ingredients to the dish itself, such as garlic, mustard, or a mix of different cheeses.

For a Heartier Meal

For a more filling meal, serve cauliflower cheese with some carbohydrates on the side. Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or Yorkshire puddings would all be delicious options. If you're looking for something a little different, try a warm salad of pancetta, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts.

No matter how you serve it, cauliflower cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that's perfect for a cosy night in or a special occasion.

Frequently asked questions