Lighter Cauliflower Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• Mix 2 tbsp of the milk with the cornflour and set aside. Press the garlic cloves in a garlic crusher to smash - but not crush - them. Put them in a pan with the rest of the milk and heat until just coming to the boil. Immediately remove from the heat and leave to infuse.
• Trim any leaves from the cauliflower and cut out the thick main stalk, then cut the cauliflower into florets. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the cauliflower, return to the boil, then simmer for about 5 mins until just cooked but still with a bit of bite.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the cauliflower into a large colander, drain well, then transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish, about 1.5 litres (see tip, left). Mix both cheeses together. Stir 2 heaped tbsp with the chives and a grinding of pepper, and reserve for sprinkling over.
• Stir the cornflour mix into the warm milk. Return the pan to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring, until thickened and smooth. Remove from the heat, discard the garlic, then stir in the cheese until it has melted. Stir in the mustard and buttermilk, and season with pepper. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower to evenly coat, then sprinkle over the reserved cheese mix. Bake for about 25 mins or until bubbling round the sides and golden on top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Microwave until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Whisk egg and flour together in a bowl. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over cauliflower florets. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese and paprika on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and cauliflower is soft, 30 to 40 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Place cauliflower in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover; bring to a boil and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a baking dish.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add flour and mix using a whisk or wooden spoon until smooth and mixture pulls away from the side of the saucepan, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in milk, a little at a time, and whisk continuously until sauce is thickened but still pourable, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir Parmesan cheese into sauce until melted; season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over all of the cauliflower. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, then add 1 large cauliflower, broken into pieces, and cook for 5 mins - lift out a piece to test, it should be cooked.
• Drain the cauliflower, then tip into an ovenproof dish. Heat oven to 220C/200C/gas 7.
• Put the saucepan back on the heat and add 500ml milk, 4 tbsp flour and 50g butter.
• Keep whisking fast as the butter melts and the mixture comes to the boil - the flour will disappear and the sauce will begin to thicken. Whisk for 2 mins while the sauce bubbles and becomes nice and thick.
• Turn off the heat, stir in most of the 100g grated cheddar cheese and pour over the cauliflower. Scatter over the remaining cheese, and 2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs if using.
• Put in the oven and bake for 20 mins until bubbling.