Baked Breaded Cauliflower
A whole cauliflower baked to perfection with a creamy Parmesan sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. This elegant side dish features tender cauliflower smothered in a rich scallion-infused cream sauce and finished with a golden-brown crust.
Ingredients
- •1 whole cauliflower
- •2½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- •6 large scallions
- •3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- •¾ teaspoon salt
- •½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- •2 cups half-and-half
- •½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano
- •⅓ cup breadcrumb topping
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Drain all liquid from cooked cauliflower, ease whole head into 9-inch pie pan generously coated with nonstick baking spray, and set aside.
5 min
- 2.
2. Melt butter in small heavy saucepan over moderately low heat. Add scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes until limp. Blend in flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook and stir 3 minutes.
6 min
- 3.
3. Whisking constantly, add half-and-half in slow, steady stream and continue whisking 5 to 8 minutes until thickened and no raw floury taste lingers. Add cheese and stir until melted. Carefully pour sauce over cauliflower and sprinkle with Topping.
8 min
- 4.
4. Slide onto middle oven shelf and bake uncovered about 20 minutes until lightly browned.
20 min
- 5.
5. Ease breaded cauliflower onto heated round platter and serve as an accompaniment to roast beef, lamb, or pork. Good, too, with roast chicken or turkey or baked ham.
2 min
