December 22, 2019
Vegan Cauliflower Gratin
Vegan Cauliflower Gratin. Creamy, cheesy, and super EASY! Baked until golden brown and bubbly, this vegan cauliflower gratin is sure to be the new star at any dinner table.
it’s all about the sides … and this one is a show stopper.
When it comes to the holidays and food, we are all about the side dishes. I mean, who isn’t?! This easy vegan cauliflower gratin is a winner EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Loaded with three types of cheeses, topped with crispy onions, then baked to a golden, crispy, bubbly perfection, this vegan cauliflower gratin is everything a holiday side dish should be – rich, tasteful, and super comforting.
Grab a drink and let’s get to cookin’ the best cauliflower gratin!
What is a gratin?
Per my research … AKA Wikipedia, gratin is a common cooking technique that originated in French cuisine. The ingredient – whether it be potatoes, pasta, or vegetables, is topped with a browned crust, typically breadcrumbs, cheese, and butter. It’s then baked or cooked underneath a broiler to form a golden crust, and traditionally served in its baking dish.
now that we know what gratin is, how do we make it?
To make this easy vegan cauliflower gratin, you’ll start by making a roux with garlic, vegan butter, flour, and soy milk. We then add our vegan cheeses. Once that’s all melted and cheesy, we toss in our cauliflower, top with crispy onions, then let the oven do the rest. It’s seriously that simple!
can i make cauliflower gratin in advance?
Duh. You guys already know I love a good recipe that can be made in advance … especially during the holidays. Making dishes ahead saves on so much time and stress! You can make this cauliflower gratin up to three days in advance. To do so, follow the directions as stated, but do not top with crispy onions (you will still toss with half the crispy onions). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Once you’re ready, add the remaining breadcrumbs then bake according to directions.
cauliflower for the win
I wanna know if this vegan cauliflower gratin stole the show during your holiday festivities! If you give this recipe a try, make sure to snap a photo of your cheesy, bubbly, crispy cauliflower gratin and share by tagging me on Instagram at @eat_figs_not_pigs and #EatFigsNotPigs.
Happy Holidays, Friends!
- 1 large cauliflower, about 3 LBS, cut into florets
- 3 TBS vegan butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 TBS vegan flour
- 2 cups unsweetened original soy milk
- 1 pack vegan smoked gouda slices, cut into cubes
- ½ cup vegan cheddar shreds
- ¼ cup vegan parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- ½ tsp red pepper flaskes
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup crispy onions, divided
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of salted boiling water until slightly tender, about 5-6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in soy milk and whisk until it comes to a slight boil and smooth of any clumps.
- Turn heat to low and smoked gouda, cheddar, parmesan, salt, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Continue to whisk until the cheese is mostly melted and free of clumps.
- Pour about ¾ cup of cheese sauce on the bottom of an oven safe baking dish. Toss the cauliflower with the rest of the cheese sauce and ½ cup of crispy onions, making sure all the florets are coated in cheese sauce. Add tossed cauliflower to the prepared baking dish and top with remaining ½ cup of crispy onions. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Superrrr easy and extra delicious, I didn’t use those exact cheeses since Kauai is slim Pickens so I just used what I was able to find and it substituted just fine. I made this as a side dish for Christmas dinner and I low key didn’t want anyone to eat it so I could take it home, but I also wanted everyone to taste how yummy plant based dishes could be. Needless to say it was a hit!