This Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe is a creamy and savory recipe, which features fresh cauliflower florets and tangy goat cheese. It’s the perfect low-carb side dish, ready in about 40 minutes.
Jump to RecipeCauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated
- 2 cups grated Parmesan
- 6 ounces goat cheese, cut into small pieces
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
How To Make Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Assemble the gratin: In a medium casserole dish, layer the cauliflower florets, heavy cream, Monterey Jack cheese, Parmesan, and goat cheese pieces. It doesn’t have to be perfectly layered; just ensure the ingredients are distributed well.
- Season: Season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Roast: Roast for 20 to 30 minutes. You are looking for the cauliflower to become tender (test with a fork) and the cream sauce to thicken slightly and bubble.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This step is crucial to let the sauce set so it isn’t too runny when scooped.
Recipe Tips
- Cutting the cauliflower: Cut the florets into similar-sized pieces (about 1-2 inches) to ensure they cook evenly. If the pieces are too large, the cheese might burn before the cauliflower is tender.
- Why goat cheese?: The goat cheese adds a distinct tartness that cuts through the richness of the heavy cream and Monterey Jack. Don’t skip it! Crumble it over the top layers so it browns slightly.
- Thickening the sauce: The sauce thickens by reduction and mixing with the melting cheese. If it looks too liquidy right out of the oven, don’t worry—the 10-minute resting period allows the cream to cool slightly and thicken up to a coatable consistency.
- Broil for color: If the cauliflower is cooked but the cheese on top isn’t as brown as you like, switch the oven to “Broil” for the last 2-3 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Add herbs: While the recipe is simple, adding fresh thyme or a pinch of nutmeg to the cream can elevate the flavors significantly.
What To Serve With Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe
This rich, cheesy dish pairs beautifully with lean proteins or holiday roasts.
- Grilled steak or Prime Rib
- Roast chicken with herbs
- Pork chops
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette (to cut the richness)
How To Store Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or in the microwave. Note that the cream sauce may separate slightly upon reheating; just give it a gentle stir.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended. Heavy cream sauces tend to become grainy and separate when thawed and reheated.
Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 420
- Total Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 550mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Net Carbs: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving.
FAQs
Yes, but thaw it first and pat it very dry. Frozen cauliflower releases more water than fresh, which can make the gratin soupy. You may need to reduce the baking time slightly as frozen cauliflower is already partially cooked.
No. Milk will curdle at high heat and is too thin to create a sauce without a roux (flour/butter). You need the fat content of heavy cream for this flourless method to work.
Yes. Cauliflower is the classic low-carb potato substitute, and the high-fat cheese and cream make this a perfect keto side dish.
Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes30
minutes420
kcalA decadent, low-carb keto side dish featuring tender cauliflower baked in a rich three-cheese cream sauce.
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, florets
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 lb Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups Parmesan cheese
6 oz goat cheese
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place cauliflower in a casserole dish.
- Pour heavy cream over cauliflower.
- Top with Monterey Jack, Parmesan, and goat cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbling and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes to thicken sauce.
Notes
- Crowd Pleaser: This dish is rich enough to serve as a main vegetarian course.
- Scaling: As noted, this recipe can easily be doubled and baked in a larger roasting pan for holiday gatherings.
