Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese

Mary Berry’s Cauliflower Cheese is made with cauliflower, butter, plain flour, milk, English mustard, and mature cheddar. This tasty Cauliflower Cheese recipe creates a delicious side dish that takes about 45 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 head cauliflower, broken into large florets
• 40g/1½oz butter (3 tbsp)
• 40g/1½oz plain flour (⅓ cup)
• 400ml/14fl oz milk (1¾ cups)
• 1 tsp English mustard
• 100g/3½oz mature cheddar, grated (1 cup)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Cauliflower Cheese

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas 5.
2. Prepare the cauliflower: Wash it thoroughly and place it in a large saucepan of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 3–5 minutes, until almost tender but still firm. Drain in a colander.
3. Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy-based saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook over a gentle heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and gradually add the milk, stirring well between each addition.
4. Thicken the sauce: Return to medium heat and boil, stirring constantly. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Add cheese and mustard: Stir in the mustard and two-thirds of the cheese, then set aside.
6. Assemble the dish: Arrange the cauliflower in an ovenproof baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, ensuring it’s completely covered. Scatter the remaining cheese on top.
7. Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Recipe Tips

• Choose a fresh cauliflower: Look for a firm head with tight florets and bright green leaves to ensure the best flavor and texture.
• Don’t overcook the cauliflower: Boil it only until it’s almost tender. This helps prevent mushiness after baking.
• Whisk the sauce well: Whisk continuously to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth cheese sauce when adding milk to the flour and butter mixture.
• Use a mix of cheeses: For extra flavor, try adding a bit of Gruyère or mozzarella along with the cheddar.
• Let it cool slightly before serving: Allowing the dish to sit for a few minutes after baking helps the sauce thicken and makes it easier to serve.

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Cauliflower Cheese cool until it reaches room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: To freeze, allow the Cauliflower Cheese to cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Place the Cauliflower Cheese in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 270g)

• Calories: 252
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 27mg
• Sodium: 1134mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 8g

Try More Mary Berry Recipes:

• Mary Berry Congress Tarts
• Mary Berry Limoncello Trifle
• Mary Berry Lemon Biscuits
• Mary Berry Asparagus Soup Recipe