Ingredients

1 Medium Cauliflower Cut Into Florets
100ml Water
25g Butter
25g Plain Flour
300ml Milk
150g Grated Cheddar Plus Extra for Topping
1 tsp Mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
Fresh Parsley or Chives Chopped for Garnish
2 tbsp Breadcrumbs for Garnish

Method

Step 1: Cook Cauliflower

Place the cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe dish. Add water, cover with a microwave-safe lid or cling film (poke a few holes in it if using cling film), and microwave on high for 8 minutes until they are tender. Carefully drain the excess water.

Raw cauliflower florets in a glass dish covered with cling film

These timings are based on a 900w microwave. If you have a lower-wattage microwave, cook it for 10 minutes. If you have a higher-wattage microwave, check it after 6 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 30 to 40 seconds. Stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk to avoid lumps.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until the sauce thickens.

Add 150g of grated cheddar cheese, mustard and season with salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Making a roux in a glass bowl with a whisk

Step 3: Combine and Cook

Pour the cheese sauce over the steamed cauliflower. Sprinkle extra grated cheddar cheese on top for that lovely golden finish. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese on top starts to bubble and brown.

Mixing cheese sauce with microwaved cauliflower florets in a glass dish

Again, this is based on a 900w microwave. Add 1 minute for lower-wattages and check it after 2 minutes for higher-wattages.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and microwave for another 30 seconds to crisp up the topping. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives for a fresh, colourful garnish.

Breadcrumbs sprinkled over the top of cauliflower cheese for texture

Tweaks

Add Crunch Add fried onions or bacon bits on top before the final microwave step for an added texture and flavour boost.
Include Greens Mix in some spinach, kale, or leeks with the cauliflower before adding the sauce.
Add Spice Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, paprika, or mustard powder to the cheese sauce for a subtle kick.

Substitutes

Change the Cheese Instead of traditional cheddar, try using a combination of cheeses for depth of flavour. Gruyère, Parmesan, or smoked cheese all work nicely.
Go Vegan! For a dairy-free version, use your favourite vegan cheese and swap the milk for a plant-based alternative like almond or oat milk.

Storage

In the Fridge To store leftover cauliflower cheese in the fridge, allow it to cool to room temperature first, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated like this for up to 3-4 days.

In the Freezer Cauliflower cheese freezes well. Cool it to room temperature, then portion it into suitable containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Tips

Use Uniform Pieces: Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets. This ensures uniform cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming too soft while others remain undercooked.

Don’t Overfill With Water: Don’t overfill the dish when steaming the cauliflower. Too much water can make the cauliflower soggy. You just need to cover the base of the dish.

Avoid Lumps in the Sauce: To prevent lumps in your sauce, stir the flour and melted butter well to make a smooth roux before gradually adding the milk.

Let It Rest: Letting the dish rest for a few minutes after microwaving allows the sauce to thicken slightly as the remaining heat spreads through the dish.