Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/11/19
Cauliflower casserole recipe

The Spruce

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 42 mins
Total: 62 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Green onions and red bell pepper make this a festive choice for any holiday meal or family dinner.

Use your food processor to make bread crumbs with day-old bread. Keep a bag in the freezer for whenever you need them. Use bread crumbs for meatloaf, meatballs, and casserole toppings.

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Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (separated into small flowerets)
  • 6 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 4 green onions (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for cauliflower casserole
    The Spruce

  2. Heat oven to 350 F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.

    Butter dish
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  3. Steam the cauliflower until just tender - about 7 minutes. Set aside.

    Steam cauliflower
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  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the red bell pepper and cook, stirring, until just tender - about 2 minutes.

    Melt butter
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  5. Add the green onion and chopped parsley and continue cooking for about 2 minutes longer.

    Add green onions
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  6. Add the flour and stir until blended. Continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes.

    Add flour and stir
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  7. Gradually add the milk and cook, stirring until thickened.

    Gradually add milk
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  8. Add 1 cup of the cheese and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring, until cheese is melted.

    Add one cup of cheese
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  9. Combine with the cauliflower. 

    Mix
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  10. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.

    Spoon into prepared baking dish
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  11. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the bread crumbs until crumbs are thoroughly coated.

    Melt butter
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  12. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.

    Sprinkle evenly
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  13. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is nicely browned.

    Bake
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  14. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • For subtle garlic flavor, rub the baking dish with the cut side of a halved clove or garlic. 
  • Add a few tablespoons of Parmesan cheese or some extra shredded cheddar cheese to the topping crumbs.

More Cauliflower Recipes:
Cauliflower Casserole With Parmesan Cheese
Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole
Cauliflower and Cheese Bake

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
565 Calories
37g Fat
36g Carbs
23g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 565
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 48%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 1031mg 45%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Protein 23g
Calcium 608mg 47%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)