Cauliflower in Béchamel - if you haven't tried it, your mind is about to be blown. Simple ingredients are combined the right way to achieve maximum deliciousness. White sauce and cauliflower is truly a craveable dish.
Cauliflower is one of winter’s wonders. In her ruffled white coat, she is both delicate and creamy with a gentle bite of her coniferous vegetable heritage (yes, I just wrote that). And while the world thinks cauliflower needs to become pizza crust, or gnocchi, or a smoothie base, I think we can celebrate just as-is too.
Béchamel vs. au Gratin:
This dish is an especially nice way to highlight this gorgeous babe. Unlike a gratin, a simple béchamel brings out the natural sweetness in cauliflower which is delightfully offset by the nutmeg. Together, you’re left with pillows of supple cauliflower clouds immersed in dairy heaven. Top it all with a little fresh parsley. Or don't. The choice is yours. It'll probably be hard to keep yourself from just digging in with a fork.
Trust me…this baked cauliflower with white sauce will get you to eat your vegetables.
And anyone else at your house to eat them too. Don't worry though: it's easy to make a double batch.
Gluten-Free Béchamel - the white sauce that gives (GF) life.
This sauce is amazing on almost everything, and you can get my step-by-step Gluten-Free Béchamel here.
Start with white sauce and cauliflower and go from there, you'll find lots of uses for it.
Can you make Cauliflower in Béchamel dairy free?
Yes, Cauliflower in Béchamel can be made without dairy. Simply swap in olive oil and unflavored/unsweetened coconut or almond milk in the white sauce, and the dish is equally delicious.
Once you've reignited your love for cauliflower, give this Cheddar Parmesan Baked Cauliflower a go and try my friend Meg's Sheet Pan Cashew Cauliflower too.
OK, let's make gluten-free Cauliflower in Béchamel! You can also whip this recipe up with broccoli or Romanesco, just swap either one in for the cauliflower.
Cauliflower in Béchamel
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into 1" segments
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter OR 3.5 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Tbsp. Gluten-Free flour blend
- 1 pint whole milk OR unflavored/unsweetened coconut or almond milk
- ⅛ tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup Gluten-Free breadcrumbs or superfine Gluten-Free cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 C). While the oven is heating, steam cauliflower until just fork tender, about 10 minutes. Prepare a baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray or butter. (We suggest butter.)
- Meanwhile, in a heavy bottomed 2-quart (or 2 liter) sauce pan, melt butter and add flour. Stir until it sizzles and is well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add milk and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens, about 7 minutes. Add nutmeg, cayenne, and salt to taste.
- Mix béchamel with cooked cauliflower. Add to baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake 25 minutes or until top is brown and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik
More cauliflower goodness:
Cheddar Parmesan Baked Cauliflower
This Cheddar Parmesan Baked Cauliflower is cheesy, delicious and totally gluten-free. It's also so yummy that you might forget to share...or maybe you just don't want to. No judgment.
Delicious Creamy Cauliflower Puree
Make this Creamy Cauliflower Puree recipe with real mozzarella or your favorite non-dairy cheese. Either way, it's completely delicious - and super versatile. Try it in place of mashed potatoes, as a simple side dish or a veggie-forward meal.
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