Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (2024)

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By Amanda Paa – Updated October 1, 2021

4.44 from 16 votes

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I’m not a picky eater, but I am a particular eater.

I enjoy fruit and chocolate, but never together (which is how thesecoconut butter dipped strawberries came to be).

I lovepoached eggs, but not super runny yolks. If you eat breakfast with me, I’ll always clarify to the server, “medium poached, like I don’t want yellow oozing everywhere when you I poke it with a fork.” I know some of you are shaking your head and saying, “but that’s the best part!

Hot coffee, never iced. Even when it’s 89 degrees at 7:00 am, and the humidity is already at 65%. To me, it doesn’t have as much flavor, aNd I can’t drink it as fast.

And cheese.Except don’t build me a cold sandwich with a cold piece of cheese. I will pick it off every single time, and have done sosince I was a child. But this only applies to sandwiches.

Now warm, melted cheese… that’s where my true love resides. Injust about every application, such as Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Dip…. but especially savoryfontina cheese sauce that sinks into SMOKINGhot whole roasted cauliflower.

Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (2)

With edges charred and browned, dried herbs mixed with olive oil and a little dijon mustard giving it a crust that most with associate with meat.

This is the kind of dish that wins friends. Both those who love vegetables, and those who might be convinced to try only because of the cheese.

The Secret to the Best Whole Roasted Cauliflower

I learned from Joy The Baker that simmering the whole head of cauliflower (basically poaching) in a “brine” before roasted partially cooks the cauliflower, so that it is cooked from the inside out. For the brine,

I used (peppercorns, olive oil, garlic, bay leaves) infuses them with initial flavor all the way through.

Now that the cauliflower is partially cooked, roasting will take care of the crispy edges, turn the core tender, and impart delicious. It’s so tender it nearly melts in your mouth.

Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (3)
Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (4)

Making Gluten-Free Cheese Sauce

When makingcheese sauces, I like using fontina (made from cow’s milk) because it melts like a gem and is extremelyversatile.Roth Cheese, from my neighbor state, Wisconsin, produce a Swedish-style Fontina. The smooth, creamy body accents the slightly tart flavor and mild, yeasty finish.

This sauce recipe evolved from the rosemary bechamel I used on cauliflower steaks at a recent dinner party, and couldn’t have been more perfect for this whole roasted version. To make it gluten-free, you’ll use brown rice flour to make the roux.

Savory. Rich. A golden, crackly masterpiece. Comfort feelings reminiscent of those I had when eating deep fried cauliflower and cheddar cheese sauce at the local watering hole with my parents when I was young. Except it’s a little more refined, quite impressive to serve, and wholesome,real food magic. Enjoy, xo.

Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (5)

More Cauliflower Recipes:

  • Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
  • Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Sage Butter
  • Marinated Turkey Breast Tenderloin with Garlic Cauliflower Puree

Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (6)

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Fontina Cheese Sauce

A recipe for whole roasted cauliflower with a delicious crispy crust, finished with a creamy fontina cheese sauce poured on top. Makes for a beautiful vegetarian main dish!

4.44 from 16 votes

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Prep Time :20 minutes minutes

Cook Time :1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time :1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Yield: 5

Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

Cauliflower

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
  • 1 head of garlic smashed
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium head of cauliflower leave removed and core cut off a bit on the bottom so it sits flat

Cauliflower Crust

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley (or oregano)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dijion mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Fontina Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 cups two percent milk
  • 2 1/2 ounces Roth fontina cheese shredded
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • grated fresh nutmeg

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  • Bring large pot of water (I use a 5 quart dutch oven and fill it about 5 inches to the top. You’re looking to give the cauliflower room to float) to boiling. Stir in all of cauliflower ingredients, then put in cauliflower, core side facing the ceiling (so top of head down). Simmer for 15 minutes, until cauliflower is fork tender.

  • Drain cauliflower, and carefully place it on parchment lined sheet pan. Whisk crust ingredients together and brush all over cauliflower crust (if your cauliflower is really large, use an extra tablespoon of oil when mixing the ingredients up). Bake for 40 minutes, until crust is charred and brown. You can broil for a few minutes at end to really get crispy edges.

  • Meanwhile, heat butter in a saucepan on medium to melt. Whisk in flour, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, so flour can get heated through. Then whisk in cream and milk, until smooth. Add salt and bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken.

  • Add shredded cheese and whisk, until melted. Cook for one minute, than add rosemary, parsley and a few gratings of fresh nutmeg. Taste, and add a little salt if needed.

  • Pour over warm cauliflower, and reserve some for dipping.

Delicious Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

This is true of any vegetable — boiling it will give you a flavor closer to the raw flavor, which means more bitterness and more astringency. Caramelizing it will bring out its hidden sweetness. This light, vibrant roasted cauliflower salad is a recipe I developed for the fall menu at Duo.

Why does my cauliflower cheese sauce go watery? ›

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Undercooking It. Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

What does adding lemon juice to cauliflower do? ›

Cauliflower should be cooked quartered, or cut into florets at the base of the stem. In kitchen lore, lemon juice, milk, flour and vinegar have all been recommended as additions to cauliflower cooking water, presumably to keep it white.

How do you thicken cheese sauce after it's made? ›

Flour or cornstarch can both thicken a liquid. In a small separate bowl, mix a tablespoon of either flour or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cheese sauce until the mixture is smooth. Add the mixture back to the milky cheese sauce, and stir until combined and desired thickness is achieved.

How do you make cheese sauce not runny? ›

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken.

How do you keep cheese sauce from getting thick? ›

Cheese sauce can be kept from congealing by applying enough heat to keep it semi-liquid but not enough to scorch it or dry it out.

Should cauliflower be washed before roasting? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Wash cauliflower, cut it into medium-sized florets, and dry very thoroughly. Don't skip drying — it's important. ...
  3. Add florets to a large bowl, add olive oil, and toss to coat. ...
  4. Bake for 10 minutes, flip each piece over, and bake for 10 more minutes.

How do you clean cauliflower before roasting? ›

Here's how to wash cauliflower step-by-step:
  1. Break the cauliflower into smaller pieces. ...
  2. Rinse the cauliflower florets. ...
  3. Prepare a blanching station. ...
  4. Add the florets to the boiling water. ...
  5. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice water. ...
  6. Dry and use or store your cauliflower.
Dec 6, 2021

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

Can you cook cauliflower too long? ›

The general rule of thumb is about 20 minutes. Cauliflower that is overcooked will lose up to 50% of its vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy meal, cook it for just a few minutes less.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

What makes cauliflower a super food? ›

It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy. Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium. A one-cup serving contains only 25 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber.

How do you get the bitter taste out of cauliflower? ›

To mellow the flavor, soak the entire head (leaves removed) in cold, salted water for 30 minutes before steaming. Some of the bitter components will leach out. Soaking cauliflower will also give your cauliflower a snow-white appearance.

How do you eat cauliflower if you don't like it? ›

sometimes I cook cauliflower with millet and seasalt and then make it into fake mashed potatoes. I often put cauliflower in stir fried veggies and rice. Cauliflower is good in lentil soups.

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