Shellfish Free Classic Cauliflower Gratin
Bubbling, golden, and deeply comforting, this cauliflower gratin is the kind of dish that turns a humble vegetable into the star of the table. Tender florets get blanketed in a silky homemade béchamel loaded with nutty Gruyère, then finished with buttered panko crumbs that bake into an irresistibly crunchy crust. The whole thing comes together with straightforward pantry staples — butter, flour, whole milk, and a good handful of cheese — so there's nothing mysterious hiding in the ingredient list. For anyone navigating seafood allergies or sensitivities, this is exactly the kind of rich, crowd-pleasing side that requires zero substitutions or label-checking stress. Blanching the cauliflower first keeps the florets perfectly tender without turning mushy under all that sauce, and the layered cheese — some stirred into the béchamel, some scattered on top — means every bite is packed with flavor. A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a little brightness to cut through the richness. Serve it straight from the baking dish while the edges are still bubbling and watch it disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into 1 ½-inch florets
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for the blanching water
For the béchamel
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup gruyère cheese, finely grated (about 3 oz), divided
For the topping
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4 minutes, until just barely tender when pierced with a knife but still holding their shape. Drain in a colander and let steam-dry for 2 minutes.
- 2
Melt 3 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture turns a pale golden color and smells faintly nutty.
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