E Z Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this E Z Cheesy Cauliflower Bake—a comfort food classic with a wholesome twist! Tender cauliflower florets are blanketed in a luscious homemade cheddar cheese sauce, delicately seasoned with garlic and paprika for a savory kick. Topped with a crispy, golden panko crumb mixture and a final sprinkling of melted cheese, this baked dish delivers indulgent flavor with minimal effort. Ready in just 45 minutes and perfect for four servings, this creamy, cheesy casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s ideal as a side dish or even a hearty vegetarian main. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and enjoy a simple yet satisfying dish that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. Perfect for busy cooks searching for quick, cheesy bake recipes and healthy comfort food options.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head (about 4 cups, cut into florets) Cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups Milk
• 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (chopped) Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4-5 minutes, until slightly tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk to the saucepan, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.

Step 5

Stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Place the cooked cauliflower florets into the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower, ensuring all pieces are coated.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and mix well. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the cheese-coated cauliflower.

Step 8

Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1280.1 grams (1280.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1727

Total Fat 120.30g	154%
Saturated Fat 68.70g	344%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.50g
Cholesterol 341mg	114%
Sodium 4006mg	174%
Total Carbohydrate 89.10g	32%
Dietary Fiber 14.30g	51%
Total Sugars 31.80g
Protein 86.30g	173%

Vitamin D 166IU	828%
Calcium 2234mg	172%
Iron 5mg	27%
Potassium 2491mg	53%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.7%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 20.0%