This quick and easy Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin comes together in about 30 minutes and is all baked in one dish for a fabulous weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can easily switch up the veggies or spices to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to make sure leftovers don’t go to waste!
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s get to the good stuff! For this creamy and cheesy Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin, you’ll need the following ingredients. Don’t fret if you don’t have a couple of these on hand; this dish is super flexible!
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
Choose a fresh one with firm buds for the best texture! Not a fan of cauliflower? Feel free to swap in broccoli or even Brussels sprouts, totally delicious!1 cup heavy cream
This is where it gets notably creamy. If you’re looking to lighten things up a bit, you could use half-and-half or even milk, but I promise the heavy cream makes it indulgently extra!1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Trust me, fresh is best here! The pre-grated stuff has anti-caking agents that can affect meltability. We want smooth, creamy goodness!1 cup panko breadcrumbs
These little guys add the crunch we crave; they turn golden brown in the oven. If you’re out of panko, regular breadcrumbs will work too, just not as crunchy but still super good!3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Can’t go wrong with butter to add richness. But if you need a vegan option, olive oil works as well!2 cloves garlic, minced
Because everything tastes better with garlic! You can also use garlic powder in a pinch.1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
I know that sounds a bit unusual, but it brings a warm, nostalgic flavor that’s just heavenly!Salt and pepper to taste
A couple pinches of salt and pepper here can really elevate those flavors, so don’t skip this step!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s hot and ready when your dish is assembled!Steam the Cauliflower
In a large pot, steam the cauliflower florets until just tender, about 5-7 minutes. You want them to be bright and crisp, not mushy!Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant, roughly 1-2 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn!Create Creamy Heaven
Here comes the good part! Whisk in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Then, add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. This is when your kitchen starts smelling amazing!Season It Up
Don’t forget to sprinkle in that salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Just a couple pinches of each will do the trick! Mix well until everything is well combined and absolutely creamy.Combine It All Together
In a large bowl, combine the steamed cauliflower with the heavenly cheese sauce until each piece of cauliflower is coated with that delicious richness.Bake Till Golden
Transfer everything to a greased baking dish and top it with panko breadcrumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes until your gratin is bubbling and golden brown. It’s going to look irresistible!Serve & Enjoy
Let it cool for a minute trust me, it’ll be piping hot. Then serve it up and watch your family dive right in!
Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore this Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin because it’s my go-to recipe when I need a heartwarming dish that feels indulgent yet works for my busy life as a single mom. It’s truly comfort food at its best! I’m a real sucker for cheesy goodness, and this dish is loaded with flavors that everyone in my family loves.
And the best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand! Leftover broccoli? Throw it in! A bit of extra cheese? Why not? It’s like the ultimate customizable meal, which makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner when time is tight.
If you loved this Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin, be sure to check out my Cracked Garlic Steak Tortellini, my Crockpot Beef Bourguignon, or my Easy Burger Bowls! You can find all these amazing recipes on my blog at I Love Cookin.
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor! The creamy cheese sauce envelops the cauliflower in a way that just feels comforting and satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that hugs you back!
Quick & Easy
It comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something scrumptious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Customizable
You can literally use whatever vegetables or cheeses you have on hand. Have a bit of extra spinach or maybe some mushrooms? Toss ‘em in! The flexibility here is fantastic.
Excellent Make-Ahead Option
Wanna prep in advance? You totally can! Assemble it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you get home. Super convenient!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or some grilled chicken. It’s a perfect side dish, too, alongside steak or fish!Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I bet you won’t have many leftovers, but it’s great to know, right?Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat this dish is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can cover it with foil to keep it from drying out.Freezer-Friendly
Yes! You can freeze this dish before baking, just make sure it’s tightly wrapped. When you’re ready to enjoyed, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed.
Funny story once, I was making this Gratin after a long day, trying to wrangle the kids, and I accidentally spilled half the cheddar cheese I was trying to use! I thought it was a total disaster at first, but you know what? It turned out superbly delicious! Cooking really is about being flexible and having fun, and just sometimes a minor mistake makes for a happy accident.
So, gather your ingredients, invite the family to help (yes, kids can definitely assist with the panko!), and enjoy this soul-soothing dish that truly brings everyone together. Happy cooking!
Got questions, comments, or your own stories about this recipe? I’d love to hear them! Let’s make cooking a delightful adventure together. For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Quick and Easy Parmesan Cauliflower Gratin
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy and cheesy gratin made with fresh cauliflower, baked to perfection for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pot, steam the cauliflower florets until just tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, then add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
- Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and nutmeg, mixing well until combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the steamed cauliflower with the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for a minute before serving.
Notes
This dish is versatile; you can use leftover veggies or different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
