Patrick Oconnell
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional British dish that can be served as a side or a main course. The dish consists of pieces of cauliflower covered with a milk-based cheese sauce, typically made with mature cheddar, gruyere, or a combination of cheeses. It is often baked in the oven and can be served with roast meats and potatoes, or as a vegetarian option over a baked potato. Some recipes include mustard, nutmeg, or breadcrumbs for added flavour and texture. Cauliflower cheese is a comforting and indulgent dish that has become popular again, with many variations such as Cauliflower Noisette, Cauliflower Gratin, and Cheese and Cauliflower Bake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Main course, side dish |
| Served with | Baked potatoes, roast chicken, nacho chips, homemade bread, salad, steamed spring greens |
| Cuisine | English, British |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Baked potatoes
Another way to serve baked potatoes with cauliflower cheese is to make a potato and cauliflower bake. This dish is simple to prepare and can be made in advance, making it a convenient option for holiday meals or family dinners. The potatoes and cauliflower are cooked and then placed in a baking dish, covered in a cheesy sauce, and baked until bubbly and golden. This recipe can be made in individual portions or as a single casserole, and it pairs well with a variety of main courses.
Additionally, there are creative variations of the baked potato and cauliflower cheese combination. For instance, you can poach the cauliflower in bay-leaf-scented milk while the potatoes bake, adding a unique flavour to the dish. Another option is to make a crunchy, buttery topping for the bake using breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and melted butter. These additions elevate the dish and make it even more enjoyable.
Cheese Dip Servings: How Much Rotel Do I Need?
You may want to see also
Roast chicken
Sheet Pan Chicken and Cauliflower Bake
For this recipe, you will need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cauliflower, onions, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, oil, minced garlic, and a lemon yogurt sauce. First, rub the cauliflower and onions with a mix of toasted cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Roast them for 30 minutes. Then, add the chicken thighs, rubbed with the same spice mix, to the sheet pan and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve this smoky and spicy dish with naan and a lemon yogurt sauce.
Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower
This recipe involves cooking juicy, tender chicken thighs in a creamy sauce with roasted cauliflower and baby spinach. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil a baking sheet, place the cauliflower on it, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and sear both sides in a Dutch oven until golden brown. Add shallots, garlic, thyme, and flour to the Dutch oven, followed by milk and chicken broth. Finally, stir in spinach, Parmesan, and cream. Serve the chicken with the roasted cauliflower, and enjoy!
Loaded Cauliflower Chicken Casserole
This recipe is a twist on a loaded baked potato, with roasted cauliflower taking the place of potatoes. You can use chicken breasts or leftover roast chicken for this dish. Start by making a sauce with milk, flour, and butter. Add cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and peas if desired. Then, stir in the chicken and cauliflower and pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbly and heated through. Serve warm, and sprinkle on some extra cheese, green onions, and crumbled bacon if desired.
Cauliflower cheese is a versatile side dish that pairs well with roast chicken. You can also serve it with other meats, such as rump steak or roast beef, or as a vegetarian main course with jacket potatoes and pickled beetroot.
Savory Slider Sides: Perfect Partners for Ham & Cheese
You may want to see also
As a side dish
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English or British dish that can be served as a side dish or a main course. When served as a side, it is often accompanied by roasted meats and potatoes. For example, it can be served with a roast chicken, as it can be popped in the oven when the chicken is removed to rest, making it a convenient dish to prepare.
It is also a great vegetarian option, and can be served on top of a baked potato for a complete meal. This is a good option for those who are not fans of cauliflower, as the dish is very cheesy and rich.
Cauliflower cheese can also be served as a side dish with nacho chips, which makes for a great movie night snack.
The dish can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Red Leicester, Gruyere, or a combination of these, and is usually baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
Piave Cheese: The Ultimate Guide to Serving
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Main course
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional British dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It consists of pieces of cauliflower lightly boiled or roasted and covered with a milk-based cheese sauce. The cheese sauce can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Red Leicester, or a combination of different cheeses. Some recipes also include mustard, nutmeg, and breadcrumbs for added flavour and texture.
When served as a main course, cauliflower cheese can be a filling and comforting dish. Here are some ways to serve cauliflower cheese as a main course:
- Baked Potato: Cauliflower cheese pairs well with a perfectly baked potato. The creamy cheese sauce and tender cauliflower florets make a delicious topping for a baked potato, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Cauliflower cheese can be served with roasted vegetables, such as garlic-roasted pumpkin, broccoli, or cauliflower itself. This adds a variety of textures and flavours to the dish while still keeping it vegetarian-friendly.
- Pasta: Adding cooked pasta, such as penne, to the cauliflower cheese creates a heartier main course. The pasta absorbs the cheese sauce, resulting in a creamy and indulgent dish.
- Meat: While cauliflower cheese is often served as a side dish to roast meats, it can also be served as a main course alongside baked or grilled meats. This could include dishes such as roast chicken, steak, or other grilled meats.
- Salad: For a lighter main course option, serve cauliflower cheese with a fresh salad. The richness of the dish is balanced by the crispness of the salad, making it a more refreshing option.
- Bread: Homemade bread and butter can accompany cauliflower cheese as a main course. This can include crusty bread, such as a baguette, or softer varieties like sourdough or brioche.
When serving cauliflower cheese as a main course, it is essential to consider the richness of the dish. Cauliflower cheese is often described as indulgent and cheesy, so it is best paired with sides that can cut through the richness, such as a crisp salad or steamed vegetables. Additionally, the portion size should be considered when making it a main course, ensuring that it is filling enough for a complete meal.
Jersey Mike's Philly Cheese Steak: Authentic or Not?
You may want to see also
With nacho chips
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is often served as an accompaniment to roast meat and potatoes.
One way to serve cauliflower cheese is with nacho chips. This can be done by substituting tortilla chips with roasted cauliflower florets, which are then drizzled with a stretchy, melty nacho cheese sauce and loaded with various toppings. This creates a low-carb, healthier version of traditional nachos.
To make this dish, preheat your oven to 425°F or 450°F. Slice the cauliflower into 1/2-inch slices or "steaks" that resemble the shape of chips. In a large bowl, combine oil and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and sea salt. Add the sliced cauliflower and toss to coat evenly.
Place the seasoned cauliflower on a baking sheet, making sure the pieces are not touching, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and starting to brown. Push the cauliflower together in the center of the pan and add toppings such as refried beans, shredded cheese, and jalapeños. Return to the oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the beans are heated through.
You can also add other toppings like tomatoes, onions, avocado, vegan chorizo or bacon bits, black beans, corn kernels, cilantro, and vegan sour cream or yogurt. Play with different combinations of toppings to suit your taste preferences.
This cauliflower cheese nacho dish is a fun and tasty way to enjoy a classic comfort food with a healthier twist.
The Art of Serving Old Amsterdam Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cauliflower cheese is a traditional English dish consisting of pieces of cauliflower covered with a milk-based cheese sauce.
Cauliflower cheese can be served as a side dish or a main course. It is often served with roast meat and potatoes, homemade bread and butter, salad, or steamed spring greens. Some people also serve it on top of a baked potato.
A mature cheese, such as cheddar, is typically used in cauliflower cheese. Other cheeses such as Gruyère, Red Leicester, Swiss cheese, or Stilton can also be used.
The cauliflower is either boiled or roasted before being covered in the cheese sauce. The sauce is typically made with butter, flour, milk, and cheese, and seasoned with mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. The dish is then baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
Yes, cauliflower cheese can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or over a Bain Marie.
