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As autumn grows closer, our side dishes change from light to more hearty. This cheesy Cauliflower Bacon Gratin is perfect when there’s a chill in the air, both comforting and delicious!

This Cauliflower Casserole will tantalize your taste buds with nutty Gruyere cheese, salty bacon, and plenty of cauliflower. Absolutely delicious!

Cauliflower casserole in a white baking dish.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You Must Make
2 Ingredient Notes
3 Cauliflower Gratin Recipe
4 Frequently Asked Questions
5 You May Also Like:
6 Cauliflower Bacon Gratin

Why You Must Make

  • It is full of nutty Gruyere cheese!
  • Bonus: Loads of bacon for lots of flavor.
  • The picky husband finally gave it his seal of approval, and he’s a hard sell!

I’ve gotten my family to eat roasted cauliflower by coating the florets with Parmesan and bread crumbs and popping them in the oven until crispy.  So I was reasonably optimistic that they’d at least take a courtesy bite of Dorie Greenspan’s creamy, cheesy, bacon-spiked gratin. And they did!

Ingredient Notes

  • Kitchen Staples – Flour, Eggs, Milk, Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Cauliflower – One head, cut into bite-sized florets
  • Bacon – Cut into thin strips, cooked until browned, then drained.
  • Heavy Cream – Should be 36% butterfat
  • Freshly Grated Nutmeg – Use a rasp and grate a whole nutmeg for the freshest flavor. You can also use a pinch or two of round nutmeg.
  • Gruyere Cheese – Grated
A close up of a spoonful of Cauliflower Gratin.

Cauliflower Gratin Recipe

Well, what do you know? I didn’t mention to Bill that this was the second go-around for this gratin, seven years later, to be exact. Surprisingly, his tune has changed and the hubby was a huge fan. He seriously loved this cauliflower gratin, especially the real bacon strips strewn across the top. Maybe his palate is finally maturing!

The cream, eggs, flour, and Gruyere puffed in the oven to form a rich and elegant base for the cauliflower pieces. Rustic and beautiful, this dish would be perfect on a holiday buffet or for a weekend side dish. I even ate the leftovers cold. That tells you something, doesn’t it???

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Gratin?

According to the Food Lover’s Companion, a gratin is a French word for any dish topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then cooked until browned and crispy. Pronounced gra-TAN, it also refers to the shallow, ovenproof dish in which a gratin is cooked.

What Other Ingredients Can Be Added to this Casserole?

You can use cubed ham instead of bacon. Or try other Swiss cheese varieties like Emmenthal. Herbs, spices, or sauteed onions can be added according to Dorie Greenspan. She recommends curry powder but thyme is tasty, too.

How Do You Store a Gratin?

It’s best eaten the day it’s made, but it will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. Just gently reheat before serving.

Cauliflower bacon gratin in a white baking dish on a sheet pan.

You May Also Like:

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A close up of a cauliflower bacon gratin in a baking dish
The Recipe:

Cauliflower Bacon Gratin

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Yield 10

 Cauliflower Bacon Gratin: a rich, cheesy side dish flavored with bacon!

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 1/4 pound of bacon, cut into thin strips
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 5 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • 3 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

Instructions

  1.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Butter a 2 1/2 quart baking dish and place it on the baking sheet.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into florets,  leaving about an inch or so of stem. Drop the florets into salted, boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Drain in a colander, then run cold water over cauliflower to cool. Pat dry.
  3. Add the bacon strips into a skillet and cook over medium heat just until the bacon is browned. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
  4. Place the cauliflower in the prepared pan, and top with the bacon bits.
  5. Put the flour in a bowl and gradually whisk in the eggs. When the flour and eggs are blended, whisk in the cream and milk. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and stir in about two-thirds of the cheese. Pour the mixture over the cauliflower, then top with the remaining cheese.
  6. Bake the gratin for about 25 minutes, or until it is puffed and golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top needs more browning, place under the broiler for a minute or two, watching carefully.

Notes

Dorie's tips:

  • Recipe is best served warm on the day it is made, but it can also be served at room temperature, like a quiche.
  • You may use ham cubes instead of bacon, add other vegetables or even herbs.
  • If you have leftovers, reheat gently in the microwave after bringing to room temperature.
  • This also makes a wonderful entree, served with a green salad.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 340mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 12g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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© Liz Berg
Cuisine: American / Category: Sides