A twist on a french cauliflower gratin, this Roasted Cauliflower Gratin features roasted cauliflower topped with a cheesy sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. This is a delicious side dish for beef, pork, chicken, or seafood.

My obsession with roasted cauliflower is real. I love roasted cauliflower with pesto and these garlic parmesan cauliflower bites. Roasting is absolutely my favorite way to prepare cauliflower. I love the crisp-tender texture and the slightly charred edges. So delicious! So, just when I thought cauliflower couldn't get any better, I baked it in a cheesy, creamy sauce - a nod to a French cauliflower gratin. And the result is just heaven!
What is a gratin (french gratin)?
A gratin is a casserole of vegetables baked in a Bechamel (cream) sauce. 'Gratin' refers to the crusty top which forms while baking, typically from cheese and/or breadcrumbs added to the top of the casserole.
Why you will love this dish
Any recipe that is baked until bubbly and golden brown is my kind of dish.
Ingredients
Cauliflower - When buying cauliflower, look for white, firm heads with compact florets and fresh leaves. Avoid ones that have brown blemishes on the florets.
Vegetable broth - I like the blend of broth and milk in creating a less-heavy sauce. The broth adds another layer of flavor. If you don't need this recipe to be vegetarian, chicken broth can be used instead.
Gruyere cheese - Gruyere is a popular cheese for gratins. It melts well and has a wonderful nutty flavor. Gruyere can be found in the gourmet cheese section of most supermarkets. If you have trouble finding Gruyere, swiss cheese can be used.
Fontina cheese - Fontina is not traditional in gratins, but I love the creaminess it adds. It melts beautifully and has a mild flavor.
Step-by-step instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets and transfer to a sheet pan. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes until slightly charred around the edges.
- While the cauliflower roasts, make the cream sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour. Whisk to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes to cook the raw flavor out of the flour. Season with pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Slowly add the milk and the broth, whisking to incorporate. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add half of the Gruyere and Fontina cheeses, whisking while the cheese melts. Add the remaining Gruyere and Fontina cheese, whisking until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a pie dish or shallow baking dish. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden around the edges. Serve warm.
Faq's
This dish pairs beautifully with many entrees. Serve with beef roast, pork tenderloin, or roasted chicken. It would also be delicious with salmon, shrimp, or scallops.
Yes, this dish can be made ahead of time. After combining the roasted cauliflower and cheese sauce in the baking dish, let cool, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. Allow 5-10 minutes of additional bake time.
For best results, I do not recommend freezing cauliflower gratin. Cauliflower has a high moisture content, and the texture may become mushy after freezing. Also dairy can separate after freezing, so the cheese sauce may not have as desirable of a consistency. It's best to eat any leftovers within 3-4 days.
Equipment
Half sheet pan | Grater | Saucepan | Measuring spoons | Liquid measuring cup
More roasted vegetable recipes
Roasted Cauliflower Gratin
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 4 ounces Gruyere cheese (shredded)
- 2 ounces Fontina cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated + extra for topping)
- parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Add the cauliflower florets to a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast for 12-15 minutes until the cauliflower is slightly charred and golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and reduce the heat to 375 degrees.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Add the butter to a saucepan set over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Whisk in the black pepper and nutmeg.
- Slowly add the milk and vegetable broth, whisking to incorporate. Cook for 2-4 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Add ½ the Gruyere and Fontina whisking to incorporate while the cheese melts. Repeat with the remaining half of the cheese. Once melted, whisk in the Parmesan and remove from the heat.
- Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a pie dish or shallow casserole. Pour the sauce over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden around the edges. Serve warm.
Notes
- To make ahead of time: after combining the roasted cauliflower and cheese sauce in the baking dish, let cool, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. Allow 5-10 minutes of additional bake time.
- For best results, I do not recommend freezing cauliflower gratin. Cauliflower has a high moisture content, and the texture may become mushy after freezing. Also dairy can separate after freezing, so the cheese sauce may not have as desirable of a consistency. It's best to eat any leftovers within 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending upon the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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