Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Gratin

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1Made this recipe

Serves: 10

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 60 Minutes

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About Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Gratin

Dive into a world of exquisite flavors and luxurious textures with our Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Gratin, a dish that redefines comfort food. This recipe elevates humble cauliflower to new heights by enveloping it in a velvety, garlic-infused cream sauce and then baking it to perfection. The roasted garlic adds a depth of aromatic sweetness, while the bubbling cheese atop forms a golden crust, promising a delightful contrast of textures in every mouthful. The cauliflower, a nutritious powerhouse, takes center stage, making this dish as wholesome as it is decadent.

Ingredients

1 medium head garlic

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets

Kosher salt, to taste

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped, plus more for garnish

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

3/4 cup sharp white cheddar, shredded, divided

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Preparation

01Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly coat medium casserole dish with butter. Cut top off garlic head, exposing tops of cloves and set into square of aluminum foil. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over garlic head and wrap tightly with foil. Roast in oven until tender, 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven, unwrap foil and let cool. Roasted garlic can be made 3 days head and stored covered in refrigerator.

02Meanwhile, toss cauliflower florets in remaining olive oil and season with salt. Spread onto rimmed baking sheet and roast cauliflower alongside garlic in oven for 15-20 minutes, until golden. Transfer to prepared baking dish.

03Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Squeeze out about half of roasted garlic cloves into butter and mash with spoon to break up. Sprinkle flour over butter and stir to combine. Cook 1 minute until golden brown, then slowly whisk in milk. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to whisk until thickened, 3-5 minutes.

04When sauce is thick enough to coat spoon, remove from heat and whisk in thyme, cream cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

05Pour cream sauce over cauliflower in baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheddar and parmesan. Bake, uncovered until cheese is golden brown and bubbling, 15-20 minutes. Garnish with thyme and serve warm.