Cauliflower Pasta and Cheese Gratin

5.00 (6)
⏱ 60 mins 🍽 6 serving(s) 🌶 italian 🏷 Cauliflower

This Italian-inspired cauliflower gratin combines tender florets and pasta shells in a creamy, cheesy sauce flavoured with thyme, nutmeg and garlic. Topped with a golden parmesan breadcrumb crust, it bakes until bubbling. You can assemble it earlier in the day, but take care not to overcook the cauliflower and pasta initially to prevent them from becoming too soft during baking. Broccoli also works well as an alternative. Serves 6.

Cauliflower Pasta and Cheese Gratin

Ingredients

  • 6 -7 cups fresh cauliflower florets, cooked until firm-tender, and drained very well
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells or 8 ounces similar small shell pasta
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 cups half-and-half cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 -2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 -3 tablespoons melted butter

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter.
  3. Melt the 1/4 cup butter in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, then whisk in the thyme, nutmeg, fresh garlic, cayenne pepper and black pepper for 2 minutes.
  4. Whisk the flour into the butter mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in the half and half cream. Heat on med-low until it reaches a light boil and thickens, then reduce the heat to low and continue whisking for 3 minutes.
  6. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the grated cheddar, Parmesan cheese, green onion and Dijon mustard if using. Mix until the cheese melts, then season with salt and extra black pepper.
  7. Pour the sauce into a large bowl.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and well-drained cauliflower to the sauce and toss everything together.
  9. Spread the combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  10. In a separate small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with 1-2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese and the melted butter.
  11. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the cauliflower and pasta.
  12. Bake for 20 22 minutes, until the dish is hot and bubbly.

Nutrition (per serving)

Sodium641900 mg

Recipe details

CategoryCauliflower
Cuisineitalian
AuthorKittencalrecipezazz