Easy Creamy Cauliflower

Creamed cauliflower

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Cauliflower might not always have the best reputation, but it's one of the most versatile vegetables out there—and this creamy cauliflower is just another excellent way to enjoy it. This version is a snap to make with steamed cauliflower florets and a basic white sauce.

The cauliflower makes a nice side dish for a holiday meal or Sunday dinner, and there are plenty of ways to jazz up the dish with other vegetables and flavors. Replace some of the cauliflower florets with broccoli florets or steamed sliced carrots for extra color and flavor. 

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower, or 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen cauliflower florets

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 dash cayenne pepper, optional

  • 1 dash nutmeg, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Break the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.

  3. Add water to a large saucepan to a depth of about 2 inches. Add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and bring the water to a boil.

  4. Add the cauliflower florets to a steamer basket and place the basket in the pan. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cauliflower is just tender.

  5. Drain the cauliflower and transfer to a serving bowl.

  6. Melt the butter in a small (1-quart) saucepan over medium-low heat.

  7. Whisk the flour into the butter until smooth and well blended. Continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

  8. Gradually add the milk and continue cooking until smooth and thickened, stirring constantly.

  9. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne or nutmeg (if using), and then pour over hot drained cauliflower. Gently mix to coat the florets. 

Tips

  • Speed up the cooking process in the microwave. Put the cauliflower in a microwave-safe container and add about 1 inch of water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cover and microwave for about 4 to 6 minutes.
  • To add more flavor to the white sauce, saute 2 minced cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons chopped shallots before you add the flour.
  • Add a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh parsley or chives to the sauce just before it's ready for some greenery on the top.
  • Add some broccoli and/or carrots to the mix for some color and extra flavor.
  • Add a buttery breadcrumb topping by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs to the hot melted butter and cook until the crumbs are golden brown. Sprinkle the crumbs over the cauliflower and sauce just before serving.

Recipe Variations

  • Make it a casserole: Butter a 2-quart casserole and preheat the oven to 375 F. Make the cauliflower and sauce following the instructions, and then transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole. Top the casserole with buttered breadcrumbs and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is browned.
  • Cheese it up: If you prefer a cheese sauce, add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese, or about 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, to the sauce mixture a few minutes before serving. Continue cooking until the cheese has melted, and then pour it over the hot drained cauliflower. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
117 Calories
7g Fat
10g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 117
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 184mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 42mg 212%
Calcium 119mg 9%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 263mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)