Cheese always makes everything better. This keto cauliflower gratin is the perfect cheesy side dish for your next meal!
WHAT IS KETO CAULIFLOWER GRATIN?
Cauliflower gratin is a cheesy dish that uses cauliflower as the main ingredient instead of potatoes or another starchy vegetable.
Did we say cheese? This dish combines heavy cream and cheese to not only make a creamy cheese sauce, but cheese on top makes it all the better.
This recipe is perfect for a side dish with any number of main courses!
WHAT DOES GRATIN MEAN?
Gratin means “a dish with a browned crust of breadcrumbs or melted cheese.”
The word originated in French cuisine, which brought with it the use of shallow dishes to cook in. The food is also traditionally served in whatever baking dish it is cooked in.
While this dish doesn’t use breadcrumbs to create a crunchy top, the cheddar cheese on top helps to create a gooey, browned crust after time in the oven.
KETO CAULIFLOWER GRATIN INGREDIENTS
Before you try to make these delicious dish, make sure you have the following ingredients on hand first.
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Kosher salt (for boiling water only)
After you have all of this, you’re set and ready to go!
HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN
- Preheat oven to 375˚F
- In a pot, bring water to a boil and salt it lightly
- Add the cauliflower florets and cook until tender, but still firm (around 5 minutes)
- Drain the florets using a colander and set aside
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the rest of the ingredients except 1/4 cup of shredded cheese
- Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken
- Pour some of the sauce into the bottom of an 8×11 baking dish, then the drained cauliflower florets on top
- Pour the rest of the sauce onto the cauliflower and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese overtop
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown and the sauce mixture is nice and bubbly
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!
CHOOSING A GOOD PARMESAN CHEESE
Like all cheeses parmesan cheese can come in many different shapes, sizes, and qualities. You’re definitely going to want to make sure to get (if nothing else) a decent parmesan cheese to make this dish absolutely delicious.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying parmesan cheese for this recipe.
QUALITY COSTS EXTRA
As you already know, higher quality means higher price. Cheese is no exception.
Your local grocery will more than likely have two cheese sections. One will be the regular cheese section where you can find slice cheese, grated cheese, etc. The second will (hopefully) be an artisan cheese section that has all kinds of different cheeses.
This section is definitely the one you want to be buying parmesan from. It’s real, authentic, and should still have rind attached (you’re going to want to use this in the recipe).
It will cost you a few dollars extra, but will be totally worth it.
AGE DOESN’T MATTER THAT MUCH
You might have the option to choose from aged parmesans. If you run into this, don’t worry too much about it. Pick whichever one you’d like, but do know the older ones will have a stronger taste.
You’re really only looking for the quality taste of the parmesan in the sauce, so an aged cheese isn’t really going to do you much good unless you want a stronger tasting sauce.
DO I HAVE TO USE KOSHER SALT?
No, you don’t have to. In fact, you can use whatever kind of salt you prefer in the water when boiling your cauliflower.
WHAT TO SERVE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN WITH
This is a wonderfully delicious side dish perfect for any meal or occasion. It’s cheesy, filling, and super tasty.
If you need some ideas on what to make with this, take a look at these other delicious recipes.
- Keto Roast Beef and Gravy
- Keto Flourless Fried Chicken
- Keto Cast Iron Skillet Meatloaf
- Keto Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Low-Carb Green Bean Casserole
For more ideas, you can check out our recipe index.
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Click on the links to see the items used in making this recipe. You can also find these products linked in the recipe below.
- Colander – You probably have one, but if you don’t, now is the time. Colanders (or strainers, if you will) are an essential kitchen utensil for draining water from ingredients. Plastic or metal doesn’t matter, just make sure a colander finds it’s way into your kitchen cabinets!
Keto Cauliflower Gratin
Cheese always makes everything better. This keto cauliflower gratin is the perfect cheesy side dish for your next meal!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Kosher salt (for boiling water only)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F
- In a pot, bring water to a boil and salt it lightly
- Add the cauliflower florets and cook until tender, but still firm (around 5 minutes)
- Drain the florets using a colander and set aside
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the rest of the ingredients except 1/4 cup of shredded cheese
- Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken
- Pour some of the sauce into the bottom of an 8x11 baking dish, then the drained cauliflower florets on top
- Pour the rest of the sauce onto the cauliflower and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese overtop
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown and the sauce mixture is nice and bubbly
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1/8 baking dishAmount Per Serving Calories 314Total Fat 30gCarbohydrates 3gProtein 7g
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from an online food database. All carbohydrate counts are calculated as net carbs instead of total. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.