If you are looking for a side dish that feels indulgent but comes together with simple, everyday ingredients, this cheesy cauliflower casserole is exactly what you need. Tender cauliflower florets get a quick blanch to lock in their texture, then nestle into a creamy, from scratch cheddar cheese sauce that is rich, smooth, and packed with flavor.
A generous layer of gluten free bread crumbs goes on top before it all goes into the oven, baking up golden and bubbling and absolutely irresistible.
This is the kind of casserole that disappears fast at the dinner table, whether you are making it for a regular weeknight or bringing it to a holiday spread. It is gluten free from start to finish, and the homemade cheese sauce makes all the difference.
No canned soup, no shortcuts, just real ingredients that come together in one baking dish for a side everyone will ask you to make again.
If you are looking for more delicious vegetable side dishes try my Gluten Free Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole, my Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans, my Cheesy Slow Cooker Creamed Corn or my Instant Pot Garlic Ginger Green Beans.
You can find all of my side dish recipes here: Gluten Free Side Dishes
Jump to:
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower for 1-2 minutes to blanch it. The cauliflower will go from matte white to an opaque slightly translucent color when it's blanched.
Pour the cauliflower into a strainer and rinse with cold water to stop the blanching process.
Pour the blanched cauliflower into a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
In a 2 quart saucepan melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes and then sprinkle the gluten free flour in and whisk together.
Next pour the milk slowly in while whisking to you don't get clumps. Simmer the mixture over medium heat 5-7 minutes until it thickens. Add the shredded cheese one cup at a time whisking it until it melts.
Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika and onion powder. Stir to combine.
Pour the cheese mixture over the blanched cauliflower in the 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the gluten free bread crumbs over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Supplies
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This gluten free cheesy cauliflower casserole is pure comfort food. Tender cauliflower florets are smothered in a rich, homemade cheddar cheese sauce and topped with crispy gluten free bread crumbs, then baked until golden and bubbly. It's the perfect easy side dish for weeknight dinners, holidays, and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1 large head Cauliflower, cut into bite size florets blanched
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour
- 2 ½ cups Milk
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 cup Gluten Free Plain Bread Crumbs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower for 1-2 minutes to blanch it. The cauliflower will go from matte white to an opaque slightly translucent color when it's blanched.
Pour the cauliflower into a strainer and rinse with cold water to stop the blanching process.
Pour the blanched cauliflower into a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
In a 2 quart saucepan melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes and then sprinkle the gluten free flour in and whisk together.
Next pour the milk slowly in while whisking to you don't get clumps. Simmer the mixture over medium heat 5-7 minutes until it thickens. Add the shredded cheese one cup at a time whisking it until it melts.
Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika and onion powder. Stir to combine.
Pour the cheese mixture over the blanched cauliflower in the 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the gluten free bread crumbs over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
If you make this Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole, I would love to hear how it turns out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you served it with. And if you are looking for more easy gluten free side dishes, don't forget to check out my other recipes!
Storage
Store leftover cheesy cauliflower casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. The bread crumb topping will soften after refrigeration. To bring back some crunch, uncover the dish for the last 5 minutes of reheating. This casserole is not ideal for freezing, as the cheese sauce can separate and the cauliflower can become watery once thawed.
Top Tip
Rinse your blanched cauliflower with cold water and let it drain thoroughly before adding it to the baking dish. Excess moisture is the number one reason a cheese sauce turns watery in the oven. Well drained cauliflower means a thick, creamy sauce every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Assemble the casserole without the bread crumb topping, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When you are ready to bake, pull it from the fridge while the oven preheats, top with gluten free bread crumbs and add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.
Blanching is an important step and worth the few extra minutes. It partially cooks the cauliflower so it becomes perfectly tender in the oven without releasing excess moisture into the cheese sauce. Skipping it can leave you with undercooked cauliflower or a watery casserole.
A good all purpose gluten free flour blend works well here. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best thickening results. My favorite gluten free flour is King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour.
Cheddar gives you the sharpest, most classic flavor, but you can swap in Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a combination. Just make sure to shred the cheese yourself from a block rather than using pre shredded for the smoothest melt.
Absolutely. Stir in cooked diced chicken, crumbled cooked bacon, or diced ham before pouring the cheese sauce over the cauliflower. It turns this side dish into a hearty, satisfying main course.
Leave a Reply