Grandma's Cauliflower Cheese Recipe (2024)

4.69 from 16 votes

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November 10, 2010

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It finally snowed here! I have mixed feelings about it…..I like the snow but I hate the cold and driving is always awful. However, all this cold weather means the HOLIDAYS are coming! I am so excited! We have lots to celebrate in the next two months: our wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday and New Years! We even get to fly home to Ottawa to be there for two weeks over Christmas!

On a total random tangent, I am SO not looking forward to flying back east with my almost 2 year old. Our big flight is almost 5 hours! What is she going to do on my lap for that long? The people on the flights are going to hate me! Good thing she’s cute. That should make up for something, right? But, my friend told me a great idea that I think I’m going to do: buy small boxes of chocolates and ear plugs and hand them out to the people around you. That way they really can’t get too mad! Genius! I’ll let you know about all our travels next month. Why I just took 4 minutes to type all that our for you, I’ll never know.

BUT, I write about all these holidays because this recipe goes right along with the holidays in my house! I grew up eating this delicious and fabulous side dish, typically only at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whenever my Grandma makes this cauliflower, it is always one of the first things to go (along with this rice stuffing) because it’s a family favorite and it’s just so darn good. Did I mention it takes only 3 ingredients?! Well, technically it’s 5 if you count salt and pepper. But still! 5 ingredients!

This makes a great make ahead dish and would be a nice substitute for green bean casserole if you’re not into that. I never had tried green bean casserole until I went to Idaho for College. My Mom never made it for us growing up. I’m pretty sure there are lots of Canadians who make this American Thanksgiving staple but we never did….probably because we had this cauliflower instead!

What other reasons do you need to make this besides easy, fast and yummy? Over the holidays, these are the kinds of recipes we need more of! More time with family and less time in the kitchen. So, this Thanksgiving, you should give this one a whirl! You might be surprised who starts eating their vegetables!

Grandma's Cauliflower Cheese Recipe (2)

Grandma's Cauliflower Cheese Recipe (3)

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4.69 from 16 votes

Grandma's Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

Grandma's Cauliflower Cheese recipe is incredibly simple and made with just a handful of ingredients to create a comforting side dish.

servings 8 servings

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz.
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese I like sharp
  • salt & pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Remove green leaves and a part of the stem so the cauliflower will still stay together and sit flat when upright. Place cauliflower upside down (so it doesn't float so much) into large pot and cover with cold water and about 1 tablespoon salt.

  • Bring to boil and simmer 30-40 minutes or until the cauliflower stems are tender, but before the cauliflower starts to fall apart. Remove from heat and carefully remove from pot using a large slotted spoon.

  • Place right side up into baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

  • Slather the cream of mushroom soup over the entire head of cauliflower evenly. Top with cheese* and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.*If you want to make this ahead, cover and refrigerate before you bake. On the day you are ready to serve, remove from fridge and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 291mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cauliflower cheese

Grandma's Cauliflower  Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower cheese always watery? ›

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

How long can you keep cauliflower cheese in the fridge? ›

How long can you keep Cauliflower Cheese in the fridge? Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Cauliflower Cheese in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

Is frozen cauliflower cheese good for you? ›

Fresh or frozen, fruit and vegetables that don't have any added ingredients are healthy choices. Vegetable dishes like vegetable soups, cauliflower cheese or frozen vegetable mixes with seasonings added can still help you towards your 5-a-day, but are likely to include added salt, and potentially saturated fat too.

What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do? ›

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

How do you get the liquid out of cauliflower? ›

The trick with cauliflower is: Don't cook it till is too soft. just 4 or 5 minutes but taste to be sure. then drain into a colander, (sieve with big holes) and leave to drain for a few minutes, asking every minute. tap dry with a little kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

What do you eat with cauliflower cheese? ›

What should I serve with Cauliflower Cheese? This would be perfect with a full roast and Yorkshire Puddings, or a pared-back version. It goes wonderfully with my Slow Cooker Roast Beef recipe, or my Slow Cooker Ham recipe, my Slow Cooker Roast Chicken or even my Meatloaf recipe.

Why poach cauliflower in milk? ›

For surprisingly flavorful and creamy mashed cauliflower, cook your florets not in water but in a gently simmering pot of milk seasoned with garlic and thyme. When the cauliflower is mashed (or blended), the pectin in the cauliflower will thicken and smooth the mash.

Is it OK to freeze cauliflower cheese? ›

It can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to cook. It is possible to freeze cauliflower cheese but unfortunately the sauce can sometimes turn thin and sligtly watery on defrosting, so we prefer not to freeze the dish if at all possible.

Can you reheat cauliflower cheese more than once? ›

Ideally, we should all eat food straight after it has been cooked. This is when it's at its freshest and likely to taste the best. In terms of food safety, however, so long as you reheat the food at the correct temperature and for the correct duration of time, it can in fact be safely reheated multiple times.

Can dogs eat cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

Does Aldi sell cauliflower cheese? ›

Specially Selected Gastro Cauliflower Cheese 450g | ALDI.

Is cauliflower cheese a meal on its own? ›

Rustle up one of the greatest comfort foods: cauliflower cheese. It makes a perfect side dish or vegetarian main meal.

Can you eat frozen cauliflower without cooking it? ›

Nope, you can eat frozen veggies as-is—no pot, pan or microwave required. “You do not need to cook frozen veggies, just like you don't need to cook frozen fruit,” says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, best-selling cookbook author of Smart Meal Prep for Beginners and The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook.

How do you keep cheese from getting watery? ›

If you're going to put your cheese in bags, just wrap them in some parchment paper first. The paper will absorb any excess moisture. Again, change the paper often, to make sure it doesn't get too wet. Plastic containers or any containers, including glass, metal, etc., should be treated the same way as the bags.

How do you fix watery cheese sauce? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

Why is my cauliflower not firm? ›

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

"Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay. The edges will get much crispier than they would if you baked them on parchment paper.

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