Cheesy Green Veg Gratin

4.85 (6)
⏱ 55 mins 🍽 Serves 6-8 ✅ Easy 🏷 Side dish

This gratin elevates a classic cauliflower cheese with the addition of green broccoli and spinach, all bound in a mature cheddar and chive sauce. The reserved cauliflower leaves add extra flavour and texture. It's a comforting and substantial dish, ideal for serving as a side or a main. The total preparation and cooking time is around 55 minutes, and it will serve six to eight people generously.

Cheesy Green Veg Gratin

Ingredients

  • 1 cauliflower (450g), broken into florets, leaves reserved
  • 200g purple sprouting broccoli
  • 200g spinach
  • 70g unsalted butter
  • 70g plain flour
  • 900ml whole milk
  • 2 tsp English mustard
  • 150g mature cheddar
  • 1/2 bunch of chives finely chopped

Method

  1. Boil a pan of lightly salted water and cook the cauliflower florets for 3 mins. Introduce the broccoli and continue cooking for a further 2 mins. Drain everything in a colander and allow it to steam-dry.
  2. Place the spinach in a large saucepan with 2 tbsp water. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 mins until fully wilted. Transfer to a sieve and press out the extra moisture using the back of a wooden spoon. Set this aside.
  3. Preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. In a saucepan, melt the butter until it foams. Stir in the flour to form a thick paste and cook for 2 mins. Take the pan off the heat and gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Return it to the heat, whisking until the sauce thickens. Whisk in the mustard, most of the cheese and the chives. Season as required.
  4. Layer the cooked vegetables and the cauliflower leaves in a medium ovenproof dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the top, then scatter with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25-30 mins until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories284 kcal
Fat19 g
Saturates11 g
Carbs15 g
Sugars7 g
Fibre3 g
Protein12 g
Sodium240 mg

Recipe details

Skill levelEasy
CategorySide dish
DietVegetarian