Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole


Recipe summary
A creamy and cheesy cauliflower casserole with golden layers of potatoes and rich flavors, perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1.5 or 2 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Yukon gold or russet potatoes
- 2 and 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- parsley
Method
- 1
Cut the onion into even slices.
- 2
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium low heat and toss in the onions.
- 3
Sprinkle in half a teaspoon of dried thyme and let the onions cook slowly until golden brown and jammy, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Cut the cauliflower into large florets.
- 5
Add 1 tablespoon of salt to boiling water, then drop in the cauliflower florets and let them cook for about 3 minutes.
- 6
Transfer the florets to a bowl of iced water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking.
- 7
Pat the florets dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- 8
Dice 2-3 cloves of garlic.
- 9
In the same saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and toss in the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 10
Sprinkle in 4 tablespoons of flour and whisk for about 1 minute until lightly golden.
- 11
Gradually whisk in 3 cups of whole milk, adding it in small splashes while stirring continuously.
- 12
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and season with mustard powder, salt, smoked paprika, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
- 13
Set the sauce aside to cool slightly.
- 14
Slice Yukon gold or russet potatoes into thin slices.
- 15
Grate 2 and 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese and melt it into the sauce along with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.
- 16
Mix in the fried onions to the cheese sauce.
- 17
Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with olive oil and layer the potato slices in a single overlapping layer.
- 18
Pour half of the sauce over the potatoes, spreading it evenly.
- 19
Layer in the cauliflower florets and pour the rest of the sauce over the casserole.
- 20
Top with yellow cheddar cheese.
- 21
Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375° F for 35 minutes.
- 22
Uncover and bake for another 25-30 minutes, and for extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes.
- 23
Mince some parsley and let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.






