Bushra Griffith
Cauliflower cheese with bacon is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for a Sunday roast or a cosy night in with friends. It's a low-carb, gluten-free option that combines the best parts of macaroni cheese and a classic bacon dish. The recipe is simple: bake cauliflower florets, mix them with a cheese sauce, and sprinkle bacon on top. The result is a delicious, golden, bubbling bake that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With a creamy, cheesy sauce and salty, smoky bacon, this dish is an irresistible take on a classic side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish type | Side dish |
| Main ingredients | Cauliflower, cheese, and bacon |
| Dietary | Low-carb, gluten-free |
| Oven temperature | 350°F-400°F |
| Preparation time | 20 minutes |
| Cooking time | 15-20 minutes |
| Serving size | 2-3 cups |
| Calories | 396kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 32g |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the cauliflower
Cutting the Cauliflower:
Start by cutting the cauliflower into florets. Try to keep the florets a bit on the larger side so they don't get too soft during cooking. You want them to still hold their shape.
Blanching or Roasting:
There are two common methods for preparing the cauliflower before combining it with the cheese sauce: blanching and roasting.
Blanching:
Blanching the cauliflower involves adding the florets to a large pot of salted boiling water for about 3-6 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the cauliflower is slightly tender but still firm. After blanching, drain the water and gently pat the cauliflower dry with paper towels.
Roasting:
Alternatively, you can roast the cauliflower. Toss the florets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven at 200°F (93°C) for about 20 minutes. The cauliflower should have a slight colour but remain firm when pierced with a fork. Roasting gives the cauliflower a bit of colour and ensures the sauce doesn't become watery.
Combining with Cheese Sauce:
Once your cauliflower is blanched or roasted, it's time to mix it with the cheese sauce. You can make a basic cheese sauce by creating a roux (a mixture of butter and flour), then adding milk and your choice of shredded cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs.
Baking:
Finally, transfer the cauliflower and cheese sauce mixture to a baking dish. Top it with bacon and additional cheese if desired. Bake in the oven at 350°F (177°C) until golden and bubbling.
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Making the cheese sauce
Next, slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. You can use whole milk, or half-and-half, or heavy cream. Continue whisking until the mixture begins to thicken and comes to a low boil. Then, turn the heat down to a simmer.
Now it's time to add the cheese. A sharp cheddar is a good choice, but you can also use parmesan, Monterey jack, or cream cheese. Keep whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. You can also add some sour cream for extra creaminess.
For seasoning, start with salt and black pepper to taste. You can also add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and turmeric for extra flavour. A little lemon zest and rosemary can also enhance the sauce.
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Cooking the bacon
Chopping the Bacon:
Start by chopping the bacon into small pieces or strips, depending on your preference. Chopped bacon will provide more surface area for crisping and will cook more evenly.
Heating the Pan:
Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. You can use a non-stick pan or add a small amount of oil or butter to prevent the bacon from sticking. Allow the pan to heat up for a few minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.
Adding the Bacon:
Once the pan is hot, add the chopped bacon to the skillet. Be careful, as the bacon may splatter slightly due to the high heat. Spread the bacon pieces in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Let the bacon cook for a few minutes until it starts to sizzle and release its fat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally with a spatula or wooden spoon. Covering the pan with a lid will help contain the heat and prevent excessive splattering.
Achieving Crispy Bacon:
For crispy bacon, cook it low and slow. This means using a lower heat setting and allowing the bacon to cook slowly. Stir or turn the bacon pieces occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
Draining Excess Fat:
Once the bacon is crispy and golden, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pan and place it on a plate or bowl lined with paper towels. This step helps to absorb excess grease and prevents the bacon from becoming too greasy in the final dish.
By following these steps, you will have perfectly cooked bacon that adds a salty, smoky flavor to your cauliflower cheese dish. Remember to set the cooked bacon aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients, and feel free to add extra bacon to taste!
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Assembling the dish
To assemble this irresistible bacon cheesy cauliflower bake, start by pre-cooking the cauliflower. This is an important step to ensure that the cauliflower is fully cooked and softened, and it also reduces the overall baking time. You can blanch the cauliflower florets in a large pot of salted boiling water for 5-6 minutes, or until tender. Alternatively, you can roast the cauliflower in the oven at 200°F for about 20 minutes, or until it is barely tender and slightly browned.
Next, cook the bacon. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until the bacon is golden and crispy, then remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon and set it aside. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan, as this will be used to build flavour for the cheese sauce.
Now, it's time to make the cheese sauce. Add a little olive oil or butter to the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. This step is optional but highly recommended, as it adds extra flavour to the sauce. Then, add flour to the skillet to create a roux, whisking constantly to combine. Slowly pour in the milk, continuing to whisk to prevent lumps. You can use whole milk, or half-and-half, or heavy cream for a richer sauce. Bring the mixture to a low boil and whisk in the shredded cheese. For a basic cheese sauce, use cheddar cheese, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Parmesan, or cream cheese. Add seasonings like salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and fresh thyme to taste.
Finally, it's time to assemble and bake the casserole. In a buttered oven-proof dish, arrange the pre-cooked cauliflower florets and top them with the cooked bacon. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and bacon, ensuring everything is well coated. Sprinkle additional grated cheese on top for a crispy, cheesy finish. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F-400°F (about 200°C or 390°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is golden and bubbling hot.
For an extra indulgent touch, top the casserole with chopped green onions, chives, crispy bacon bits, or even hot sauce before serving. This dish is best served alongside your favourite roast or steak for a hearty and irresistible meal. Enjoy!
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Baking and serving
Once you've prepared the cheese sauce, toss the cauliflower with the sauce in a large bowl. Spread the mixture into a buttered baking dish. If you're using bacon, sprinkle it on top. You can also add additional toppings like chopped green onions, chives, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
Bake the casserole in the oven until it's golden and bubbling hot. The baking time will vary depending on the size of your dish and the amount of cheese sauce used. A good rule of thumb is to bake it for 15-20 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
If you're assembling the casserole ahead of time, you can store it in the fridge for up to one day before baking. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you're baking it straight from the fridge, and use a fork or probe thermometer to ensure it's piping hot in the middle (about 170°F).
This cauliflower cheese bake is a delicious and hearty dish, perfect for a Sunday roast or a weeknight dinner. It's a great side dish, but you can also transform it into a filling main course by adding cooked chicken and rice. It's a low-carb option that's both gluten-free and keto-friendly (if you omit the flour). Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cauliflower, cheese, butter, milk, flour, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bacon.
First, blanch or roast the cauliflower. Then, cook the bacon in a skillet. Next, make the cheese sauce by sautéing the onion and garlic in the skillet with the bacon grease, and adding milk and flour. Finally, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle the bacon on top, and bake in the oven until bubbly.
The total cooking time is around 30 minutes. This includes 20 minutes to roast the cauliflower, and 10 minutes to cook the bacon and make the cheese sauce. The bake then needs to be cooked in the oven until bubbly.
