Kamil Perry
Cauliflower cheese is a classic comfort food dish that can be served as a side or a vegetarian main course. It's a simple and easy dish to make, and the perfect way to elevate your roast dinner or enjoy as a satisfying lunch. The key to a great cauliflower cheese is a generous amount of thick, creamy, velvety cheese sauce – and of course, a bold helping of cheese! While you can make your own cheese sauce from scratch, using a cheese sauce packet is a convenient shortcut. Simply roast or steam your cauliflower, prepare your cheese sauce according to the packet instructions, and then mix the two together. Top with extra cheese and bake until golden brown and bubbling.
How to make cauliflower cheese using a cheese sauce packet
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Side dish or vegetarian main course |
| Ingredients | Cauliflower, cheese sauce, salt, pepper, nutmeg, butter, flour, milk, breadcrumbs |
| Equipment | Oven, saucepan, blender, steamer basket, pot, baking dish |
| Preparation | Steam or roast cauliflower, make cheese sauce, combine and bake |
| Cooking time | 20-30 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Roast meat or fish, jacket potatoes, pickled beetroot, salad, crusty bread, red or white wine |
| Storage | Can be made up to 3-4 days in advance and stored in the fridge |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the cauliflower
Step 1: Selecting and Cleaning the Cauliflower
Start by choosing a fresh, firm head of cauliflower with tight florets. Remove any leaves and trim the stem, but keep enough so that the florets remain attached. Rinse the cauliflower thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 2: Cutting the Cauliflower
Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you may need to cut it into evenly sized florets. Aim for florets that are not too small, as they will shrink slightly during cooking. Cut the cauliflower into quarters, and then separate or cut the florets into your desired size.
Step 3: Cooking the Cauliflower
There are three main methods for cooking the cauliflower before adding the cheese sauce: boiling, steaming, or roasting.
- Boiling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 5-6 minutes or until tender. Be careful not to overcook, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the cauliflower well and set it aside.
- Steaming: Prepare a steamer basket in a medium pot with water. Place the cauliflower florets in the basket and cook until soft. Drain the steamed cauliflower and set it aside.
- Roasting: Preheat your oven to a temperature between 200-220°C (430°F). Toss the cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a large baking tray and roast for about 20 minutes, or until they develop some colour but are still slightly firm.
Step 4: Combining with Cheese Sauce
Once your cauliflower is cooked and drained, it's time to add the cheese sauce. Place the cooked cauliflower in an ovenproof dish. Follow the instructions on your cheese sauce packet, and prepare the sauce according to the packet directions. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the cauliflower, ensuring that all the florets are well-coated.
Remember, the key to a delicious cauliflower cheese dish is to avoid overcooking the cauliflower during the initial boiling, steaming, or roasting step. You want the cauliflower to retain some texture as it will continue to cook in the oven. Now that your cauliflower is prepared and coated in cheese sauce, it's ready for the final baking step!
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Making the cheese sauce
To make the cheese sauce, start by melting butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon to make a smooth paste. Gently cook the mixture for a minute, then remove the pan from the heat.
Next, stir in the milk gradually. Return the pan to the heat and let it cook on low for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks. If you want a thinner sauce, you can add some chicken stock.
Now, stir in the grated cheese. You can use cheddar, or a combination of Red Leicester and gruyere for a golden colour and smooth sauce. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. You can also add a touch of Dijon mustard for an extra flavour boost.
Keep stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and well-combined. If your sauce is too thick, you can add a little more milk to adjust the consistency.
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Combining the sauce and cauliflower
To combine the sauce and cauliflower, start by steaming or roasting the cauliflower. Steaming is preferable to boiling as it results in less soggy cauliflower and a less watery sauce. Steam the cauliflower until it's almost done to your liking, as it will cook a bit more in the oven. If you choose to roast the cauliflower, toss it in oil, salt, and pepper, and spread it on a large tray before placing it in the oven.
Next, prepare your cheese sauce. For a basic cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon to make a smooth paste. Cook the mixture gently for a minute, then slowly stir in milk. Return the pan to the heat and cook on low for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in grated cheese until melted. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg and Dijon mustard for an extra umami flavour.
Once your sauce is ready, pour it over the cauliflower in an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top, along with breadcrumbs if desired. Place the dish under the broiler or in the oven and bake until the top starts to bubble and turn golden brown. This should take around 20 minutes, but keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
If you're using a cheese sauce packet, simply prepare the sauce according to the packet instructions before pouring it over the cauliflower and following the remaining steps. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, Edam, or Gouda, to find your preferred flavour.
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Baking the dish
Once you have prepared your cheese sauce, it's time to bake your cauliflower cheese. Start by preheating your oven to 220°C/430°F (200°C fan). If you are using a packet of cheese sauce, follow the instructions on the packet to prepare it.
Toss the cauliflower florets in oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a large baking tray. Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes without turning them. The florets should still be slightly firm but have some colour on them.
Remove the tray from the oven and pour the prepared cheese sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top. You can also add some breadcrumbs for extra texture and flavour.
Place the tray back in the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese sauce is bubbly and golden brown. Keep an eye on the dish as it bakes, as you don't want it to burn.
Your cauliflower cheese is now ready to be served! It can be enjoyed as a side dish or a vegetarian main course. Pair it with a simple side salad, roast vegetables, or a chunk of crusty bread to mop up all that delicious cheese sauce!
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Serving suggestions
Cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a vegetarian main course. It goes well with roast chicken, beef, or lamb. For a vegetarian option, serve it with a simple side salad, roast dinner vegetables, or crusty bread.
If serving as a side, cauliflower cheese can be paired with fish or fish fingers. It is also a great addition to a roast dinner and is often found on Christmas dinner tables.
For wine pairings, a Chardonnay (preferably lightly oaked and from France, Chile, or California) is recommended if serving cauliflower cheese as a main course. For red wine lovers, a Valpolicella from Italy or a Bordeaux, specifically a St Emilion, would be ideal.
Cauliflower cheese can also be served with nacho chips for a movie night, or with jacket potatoes and pickled beetroot.
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