Andy Montoya
Cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish that can be made in many ways, including in a slow cooker. This cooking method is energy-efficient and convenient, as it does not require the use of an oven. The cauliflower is placed in the slow cooker with various ingredients, such as cheese, butter, milk, and seasonings, and cooked until tender. The dish can be customised with additional ingredients like bacon, broccoli, or breadcrumbs, and served as a comforting side or main course. With its rich and creamy flavour, slow cooker cauliflower cheese is an indulgent treat that can be easily prepared with minimal effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 2-3 hours |
| Ingredients | Cauliflower, cheese, butter, milk, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, onion, mustard, bacon, cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, chicken broth, chicken soup, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, whipping cream, bread crumbs, broccoli |
| Nutrition | 251-787 calories, 6.3-25g carbohydrates, 10.4-43g protein, 17-59g fat, 1.6-8g fiber, 5g sugar, 367mg calcium, 1mg iron |
| Notes | Do not use frozen cauliflower, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, or pre-shredded cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the cauliflower
Next, place the florets directly into the slow cooker. There is no need to boil the cauliflower first, as it will cook perfectly during the slow cooking process. However, if you prefer your cauliflower al dente, you may want to reduce the cooking time.
Now it's time to make the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt some butter and stir in an equal amount of plain flour to form a roux. Cook this mixture for 1-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Then, slowly add milk to the mixture, ensuring that each amount of milk is fully combined before adding more. Once all the milk has been added, return the pan to a low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir in your chosen cheese. A medium or sharp cheddar is a good option, but you can use any cheese that melts well. You can also add some mustard for extra flavour.
Finally, pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower in the slow cooker, making sure it is fully coated. Sprinkle some extra grated cheese on top for a delicious, cheesy finish.
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Making the cheese sauce
To make the cheese sauce, you will need butter, plain flour, milk, and grated cheese. You can also add mustard, salt, and pepper to taste.
First, melt the butter in a saucepan. Next, stir in the flour to form a roux. Cook the roux for 1-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Then, slowly pour in the milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Keep the sauce on the heat for about 1 minute, stirring, and it will thicken.
Once the sauce has thickened, take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheese. You can use any melting cheese, such as Red Leicester, Gruyere, or Cheddar, or a mixture of cheeses. For a stronger flavour, use mature (sharp) cheddar, and avoid mild cheddar as it won't have much flavour. If you want a silkier sauce, add some cream. You can also add mustard to taste; Dijon or English mustard work well.
Your cheese sauce is now ready to use.
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Combining the sauce and cauliflower
Now that you have prepared your cheese sauce, you can combine it with the cauliflower. Place the cauliflower florets into your slow cooker. If you are adding bacon to your dish, add it now. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Make sure that the sauce covers the cauliflower fully. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top.
If you are using a slow cooker with a metal or ovenproof pot, you can put the cauliflower cheese under a medium grill for around 5 minutes to brown the cheese on top. If you are using a crock pot, cover the pot and cook on low heat for 3 to 3 and a half hours, depending on how tender you want the cauliflower. If you are using a conventional slow cooker, cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or until the cauliflower is cooked and the cheese on top has melted and started to brown.
If you want to save time, you can melt the ingredients in the crock pot first and then add the cauliflower. If your slow cooker is large enough, you can also add the sauce and cauliflower to the slow cooker simultaneously and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring before serving.
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Cooking in the slow cooker
First, grease the inside of your slow cooker. You can use a cooking spray or butter. Next, add the cauliflower florets. If you're using pre-cut florets, make sure they aren't too small, as they will cook more quickly.
Now, it's time to make the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter and then stir in the flour to form a roux. Cook this for a few minutes, and then, off the heat, gradually stir in the milk. Once all the milk has been added, return the pan to a low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheese. You can use a mixture of different cheeses to add more flavour—cheddar, Red Leicester, Gruyere, and mozzarella all work well. You can also add some mustard for extra flavour.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower in the slow cooker, making sure it's fully covered. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top.
Finally, put the lid on and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until the cauliflower is cooked to your liking and the cheese has melted and browned. If you want a browner topping, you can put the slow cooker under a grill for a few minutes after it's finished cooking.
You can also add bacon to this dish for a smoky flavour. Simply stir through some crispy bacon pieces before serving, and sprinkle some more on top.
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Serving and storing
Slow cooker cauliflower cheese is a great dish to make for a busy day or a holiday dinner as it can be prepared in advance. It is a comforting, indulgent, and versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of mains, such as steak, prime rib, roast chicken, pork, or lamb. It can also be served as a simple yet delicious meal with a side salad and bread.
When serving, you can sprinkle crispy bacon, fresh herbs, or breadcrumbs on top for added texture and flavour. You can also place the cooked cauliflower in a baking dish, top it with extra cheese, and grill it for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. To store, let the cauliflower cool completely, then toss it in the sauce and place it in a covered container. When ready to eat, slightly heat the mixture, transfer it to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake.
For a healthier option, you can reduce the calories by switching the cream for milk and reducing the amount of cheese used.
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