Description
This Creamy Cauliflower Au Gratin with Bacon is a rich and comforting side dish featuring tender cauliflower florets baked in a luscious gruyere cheese sauce, topped with crispy bacon, parmesan, and a buttery breadcrumb crust. Perfect for elevating any dinner table with a creamy, cheesy delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4-5 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 medium head)
Meat
- ½ pound chopped bacon
Dairy
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ¼ cup grated gruyere cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted melted butter
Pantry
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower: Steam or boil 4-5 cups cauliflower florets until just tender but still firm, around 5 minutes. Drain well and place the florets in a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cook Bacon: In a medium skillet, cook ½ pound chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain excess fat and sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the cauliflower in the casserole dish.
- Make Roux: Using the same skillet, melt 5 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in ¼ cup all-purpose flour and cook for about one minute until it thickens and forms a roux.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, then add 1 ¼ cup grated gruyere cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Continue whisking until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cauliflower and bacon in the casserole dish.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese evenly on top of the cheese sauce layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons unsalted melted butter with ¼ cup bread crumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the parmesan cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour and bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Use low-fat milk and reduce the amount of butter for a lighter dish while maintaining flavor.
- Gruyere cheese can be substituted with sharp cheddar if gruyere is unavailable.
- Cauliflower can be steamed in advance to save preparation time.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of your bacon and cheese to avoid over-seasoning.
