Just 3 ingredients go into making this super Easy Cauliflower Cheese. No need to make a roux, as we make a simple sauce of just creme fraiche and cheese, with the optional 4th ingredient to add in a little mustard if you like. This simple cauliflower cheese is the perfect fuss free side dish to go with a roast dinner.
About this Easy Cauliflower Cheese
This easy cauliflower cheese still has all the delicious creamy flavour that you know and love from a cauliflower cheese recipe, but much less effort. When you are making a big roast dinner, especially a Christmas dinner, you want as many easy sides to go with it as possible.
A must for anyone that thinks they don't like cauliflower, as everything is better with a creamy cheese sauce, right?! Even the biggest cauliflower haters love this recipe for cauliflower cheese.
We are on a mission to find ways to include more veg in everyone's diet and this is a delicious way to do it and it's ready in under 30 minutes.
If you are looking for some other ways to enjoy cauliflower, why not try our creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup, spicy Cauliflower and Potato Curry or our delicious Balsamic and Garlic Roasted Cauliflower?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cauliflower - The star of this easy cauliflower cheese recipe. You could use a mixture of cauliflower and broccoli if cauliflower by itself isn't your favourite.
- Creme fraiche - This is the key to our easy cheese sauce for cauliflower. There is no need to make a roux, as you just need to mix the creme fraiche with the cheese.
- Cheddar - We used a really strong mature (sharp in the US) cheddar, as this adds lots of flavour. The more mature the cheese, the less that you need to use. You could use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella, and you could even add a little blue cheese for some extra flavour.
- Mustard - This is an optional ingredient, but it really does add a lot of flavour. We used just a little dijon mustard, however you could use English or wholegrain mustard.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Cauliflower Cheese - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Step 1: Put the cauliflower in a pan of boiling water and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the creme fraiche, ¾ of the cheese and mustard (if using).
- Step 3: Drain the cauliflower well and put in a bowl with the creme fraiche mixture and mix well.
- Step 4: Put into a baking dish and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Step 5: Put into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Cheese Sauce for Cauliflower
Cauliflower cheese really is all about the cheese sauce. The cauliflower is just there as a vessel to carry the deliciously indulgent creamy sauce.
I like cauliflower, but it's not my favourite vegetable. However, cover it in this cheese sauce and it might just be my favourite vegetable side dish.
Cauliflower cheese is traditionally made with a roux, which is a white sauce made of butter, flour and milk, and then cheese melted into it. However, that is a little time consuming, as you have to add the milk a little at a time.
With our version, you just mix everything together. Simple!
Our super simple cheese sauce is made with just creme fraiche and cheddar - no flour here! Just 2 ingredients! There are options for other add-ins if you like.
A spoonful of mustard (English, Dijon or Wholegrain will work) will add some extra flavour, as will a pinch of nutmeg (which is traditional) and you can season it too. But it is just as tasty without those, as it is all about the cheese.
We used a really good quality mature cheddar, as it melts well and a mature cheddar has a lot of flavour.
Healthy Swap
Make a lower fat version of this by using reduced fat creme cheese and cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
This cauliflower cheese is a must with a roast dinner. So here are some of our favourite roast meats and roast dinner sides that go perfectly with this:
- Easy Roast Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Perfect Roast Chicken
- Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
- The BEST Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Gammon
- Honey Roast Duck
- Mustard and Honey Roasted Parsnips
- Vegetable Mash
Extra Tips
- Add some extra flavour with a spoonful of mustard and a pinch of nutmeg.
- You could add some panko breadcrumbs on top to make this extra crispy.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower to make this cauliflower cheese. Just cook it according to the packet instructions.
- Make sure you don't overcook the cauliflower. You want it to still be a little tender when you put a knife into it (about 5-6 minutes par-boiled). If it gets too mushy, then it will be watery when it goes in the oven and can cause the sauce to split. You will need to make sure it is drained properly too.
- Drain the cauliflower well, so you don't end up with a watery dish.
- Leftovers are really good on a baked potato.
- If you want to add a little freshness, then a sprinkling of fresh chopped chives or parsley goes well with this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can follow all of the steps up until putting it in the oven ahead of time. Just leave the dish to cool once everything is mixed together and then cover it and put it in the fridge. It will be good for 24 hours.
Bring it to room temperature (about an hour out of the fridge) and then put it in the oven following the instructions below. It may need an extra 5-10 minutes cooking time.
Yes you can freeze leftover cauliflower cheese. Make sure it has fully cooled and then cover the dish. Put it in the freezer for up to a month and then when you want to eat it, take it out of the freezer and allow it to fully defrost first. Reheat it in the oven for 20 minutes, until piping hot.
If you don't want to make this easy cauliflower cheese with creme fraiche, then you can use a roux. It's really not that more complicated. Simply add 500ml of whole milk to a sauce pan with 4 tablespoon of plain flour and 50g of butter. Put it on a medium heat and start gently whisking. Continue whisking as the butter melts and the flour mixes into the milk. Continue doing this for about 2 minutes, until the sauce sauce thickened and then stir in 100g of cheddar until melted. You can follow our Easy Cheese Sauce recipe.
If you want some extra flavour, and also a little different texture, then roast the cauliflower first and follow the recipe as normal. Why not try our Roasted Cauliflower Recipe.
More Side Dish Recipes
If you’ve tried this Easy Cauliflower Cheese, please leave a comment below.
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Recipe
Easy Cauliflower Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 head Cauliflower - cut in to florets
- 200 ml (0.75 cups) Creme fraiche
- 80 g (0.75 cups) Mature cheddar - grates; for the sauce
- 40 g (0.33 cups) Mature cheddar - grated; for the topping
- 1 teaspoon Mustard - (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Put 1 head Cauliflower in a pan of boiling water and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix together 200 ml Creme fraiche, 80 g Mature cheddar and 1 teaspoon Mustard (if using).
- Drain the cauliflower well and put in a bowl with the creme fraiche mixture and mix well.
- Put in a baking dish and top with 40 g Mature cheddar.
- Put into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Add some extra flavour with a spoonful of mustard and a pinch of nutmeg.
- You could add some panko breadcrumbs on top to make this extra crispy.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower to make this cauliflower cheese. Just cook it according to the packet instructions.
- Make sure you don't overcook the cauliflower. You want it to still be a little tender when you put a knife in to it (about 5-6 minutes par-boiled). If it gets too mushy, then it will be watery when it goes in the oven and can cause the sauce to split. You will need to make sure it is drained properly too.
- Drain the cauliflower well, so you don't end up with a watery dish.
- Leftovers are really good on a baked potato.
- If you want to add a little freshness, then a sprinkling of fresh chopped chives or parsley goes well with this.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Dan says
Agg I made it and the cheese seamed to separate. Like oil came out of it. It was mature cheddar.
Do you have any ideas what I did wrong? I think I did have it on 180 degrees, so could lower a little.
Viv says
Can the cauliflower cheese be cooked in a air fryer
Dannii says
I haven't tried it myself, but I can't see why not as long as it's in a container suitable for the air fryer.
Sandhya H says
We love simple and easy recipe that makes the dish delicious.. Great way to sneak in veggies into kid's diet.
marie says
I love anything cheese and this cauliflower dish looks delicious and so easy to put together too! Pinning this one!
Julia says
This looks delicious and I love that you can make this ahead if needed! Great recipe!
Demeter says
I’d love to tell you about the leftovers but my family loved it so much, there weren’t any! Haha!!
Sue says
I think cauliflower is the most brilliant vegetable, and I just happen to have some creme fraiche in the fridge, I can't wait for this one!
Sandhya Hariharan says
Love a good cauliflower cheese for dinner.. This is yumm.
Angela Allison says
So yummy! This was such an easy recipe and so absolutely delicious. My kids just gobbled it up. Thanks so much for sharing :)
Mirlene says
I just found out what I am making for dinner today. This cauliflower cheese will be perfect for the kids.
David says
I've been making more cauliflower lately so appreciate another tasty way to make it! Especially when it is so easy!
Jen says
I usually have to nag my kids to eat their veggies but they cleaned their plates this time! Thank you for such a delicious recipe that everyone enjoyed. It was a total dinner win.
Jessica Formicola says
This is the perfect side dish to any meal! A great way to add some veggies to my family's diet!
Kelsey says
I have a cauliflower I need to use! I have got to try this!
Pam Greer says
This is the only way my grandchildren will eat cauliflower! We love this easy, cheesy recipe!