Creamy Cauliflower Gratin Recipe -- Fresh cauliflower smothered in a creamy Gruyere and Parmesan cheese sauce, and baked to crispy, bubbly perfection. The perfect healthy holiday dinner side!
Cauliflower is to me, as shrimp is to Forest Gump this month.
I've had it raw, steamed, roasted, mashed, questionably rotten, stir-fried, and now gratin...ified.
My stomach may be on strike for any and all flower vegetables for the next 6 months, but it's all in the name of the Recipe Redux for December!
Here's what this month's theme entailed:
Grab a Book & Cook
We’re playing a little party game at the end of 2016: Grab your nearest cookbook and ReDux the recipe on page 201, 16, 216 – or any combination of the number ‘2016."
This theme has come up a couple times during my time with the Recipe Redux crew ( see the past posts here and here), and as one of my very favorite themes. I just love having the creativity that comes with the surprise of each recipe page.
I did however, use one of the same cookbooks this year, since it is one of my favorites, and actually one of the few physical cookbooks I own AND use.
I know, I know shame on me. I AM a food blogger though, so digital is my life.
And so, I stumbled upon page 201, for one of my favorite childhood favorite veggies, scalloped potatoes.
And I still love scalloped potatoes. But like I said, December has been engulfed by cauliflower, and so it naturally butted it's flowery head all up in my bidness.
Money Saving Tips for this Cauliflower Gratin Recipe:
- Buy in bulk. Opting for the larger containers of Greek yogurt gives you more for your money than buying the individual containers. Plus, you can use the leftovers for snacks, or recipes like this Greek Yogurt Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing or Savory Cheddar & Herb Overnight Oats.
- Use whole cheeses. Instead of pre-shredded cheese, grating your own saves extra $$$.
Now usually I have an aversion to melty cheese, but thankfully this makes a creamy non-string and squeaky cheese sauce, so I will gladly devour this cauliflower gratin version until my stomach literally goes on strike against me.
More holiday side dishes:
Ginger Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Garlic Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Creamy Cauliflower Gratin
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Fresh cauliflower smothered in a creamy Gruyere and Parmesan cheese sauce, and baked to crispy, bubbly perfection. The perfect holiday dinner side!
Ingredients
- 2 heads cauliflower, chopped
- 2 tablespoons light butter spread ( I used Smart Balance light)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk of choice
- ⅓ cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup grated gruyere cheese
- ⅓ + ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, separated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Instructions
- Fill a large stockpot with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
- Add cauliflower, and steam until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add additional water if needed until cooked through.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until warm. About 1-2 minutes.
- Add yogurt to a small bowl. Stir in a tablespoon of warmed milk. Repeat 4 more times to temper yogurt. Add tempered yogurt to remaining milk.
- In an oven-safe dutch oven or pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Sprinkle in flour, and whisk constantly until a paste forms.
- Pour in milk and yogurt mixture, whisking constantly.
- Bring to a boil, and remove from heat.
- Stir in gruyere, ⅓ cup parmesan, Dijon, salt, and pepper, and nutmeg.
- Sprinkle with remaining parmesan, breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning.
- Bake in oven for 15 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Vegetables, Side dishes
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: cauliflower, cheese, vegetables, side dish, holiday
adapted from The New Boston Globe CookBook
[Tweet "This Creamy Cauliflower Gratin makes the perfect side to any meal! #thereciperedux #sinfulnutrition"]
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Make it a great day!
What's your favorite holiday side dish?
Favorite way to eat cauliflower?
Trish
Your day looks delish! happy Wednesday.
Patricia @Sweet and Strong
Oh I love using cauliflower as an alternative for potatoes or rice! This recipe and all your days eats sound delicious!
Melissa
Yes I'm in the same boat with trying to use all my groceries before the holiday and our trip back home! I love cauliflower any way- but lately I've lover it roasted whole with mustard. Yum! And that makes a perfect holiday side dish!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Omg I'm so jealous of that Siggi's spoon!! That's so cool. (I LOVE Siggi's!)
And that cauliflower gratin looks excellent!
Jen
Scalloped potatoes are my ultimate comfort food- definitely going to try this recipe with cauliflower! It looks SO delicious!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Now I'm not the biggest cauliflower fan but this looks super tasty!
Brynn at The Domestic Dietitian
That cookbook looks amazing, going to have to check it out.
I love cauliflower too and this sounds delicious! Love the crunch on top.
Autumn @ AutumnPTW.com
Oh I keep wanting to try this version of califlower! Thanks for the reminder and love the recipe!
Sarah
This looks amazing. I also LOVE scalloped potatoes, but after this week, I think I may need to lighten up my game too!
★★★★★