Ultimate Creamy Cauliflower Bacon Gratin: A Savory, French-Inspired Delight
Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly rich and savory Cauliflower Bacon Gratin. This dish brings together the subtle sweetness of tender cauliflower, the irresistible crispness of salty bacon, and the comforting embrace of a creamy, cheesy sauce, all baked to golden perfection. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that elevates simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Our inspiration for this delectable gratin comes from the renowned cookbook, ‘Around my French Table’ by Dorie Greenspan. Dorie Greenspan is celebrated for her approachable yet sophisticated French recipes, and this gratin is a testament to her genius. While rooted in her classic approach, we’ve made a few minor adaptations to enhance its creamy texture and ensure maximum flavor, creating a dish that’s not just delicious but truly unforgettable. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a regular on our dinner table!
Why You’ll Adore This Cauliflower Bacon Gratin
This isn’t just another cauliflower dish; it’s a gourmet experience disguised as comfort food. Here’s why this gratin will become a household favorite:
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: The creamy sauce perfectly balances the earthy cauliflower and the robust saltiness of the bacon, while the sharp, melted cheese adds depth and a glorious golden crust.
- Comforting Texture: Each bite offers a delightful contrast – tender, al dente cauliflower florets enveloped in a silky smooth sauce, punctuated by crispy bacon bits and a rich, bubbly cheese topping.
- Versatile Dish: While spectacular as a stand-alone vegetarian (minus bacon, of course) or meat-lover’s main course, it also shines brightly as an impressive side dish for roasted meats, poultry, or a holiday feast.
- Make-Ahead Potential: Portions of this dish can be prepared in advance, making it an excellent choice for entertaining or busy weeknights.
- French-Inspired Elegance: Drawing from classic French culinary techniques, this gratin brings a touch of bistro charm to your home cooking.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Gratin Every Time
Achieving the perfect gratin is all about attention to detail. Follow these expert tips to ensure your cauliflower bacon gratin is absolutely flawless:
- Cauliflower Doneness is Key: When cooking the cauliflower, aim for “al dente” – tender yet still firm. You can easily check this by carefully stabbing a floret with a fork. If the fork slides in and out with slight resistance, it’s perfect. Overcooked cauliflower will turn mushy in the gratin, losing its desirable texture. Remember, cooking times are guidelines; always trust your own judgment and the fork test!
- Ensure Sauce Distribution: After pouring the creamy sauce mixture over the cauliflower and bacon in the baking dish, gently rock and tilt the dish back and forth. This ensures the sauce seeps into all the nooks and crannies, coating every floret and filling the gaps, leading to a uniformly creamy and delicious gratin.
- Achieving the Golden Crust: The final touch of a gratin is its beautifully browned, bubbly cheese crust. After 25 minutes of baking, check your casserole. If it hasn’t achieved that desirable golden-brown color, simply pop it under the grill (broiler) for a few minutes. Keep a very close eye on it during this step, as cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds. Avoid baking it longer than recommended, as prolonged cooking can overcook the cauliflower and dry out the gratin.
- Choosing the Right Cheese: The recipe calls for a flavorful cheese like Gruyere or Emmentaler. These cheeses melt beautifully and offer a robust, nutty flavor that complements the bacon and cauliflower perfectly. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses if possible, as they often contain anti-caking agents that can affect melt and texture. Freshly grated cheese always yields the best results.
- Seasoning in Layers: Don’t forget to season not just the sauce, but also the cauliflower when boiling it (a pinch of salt in the water helps), and give a light seasoning to the bacon if desired. Layering your seasoning builds a more complex flavor profile throughout the dish.
Preparation for Effortless Cooking (Make Ahead Options)
One of the beauties of this gratin is its flexibility for advance preparation. Doing some of the groundwork ahead of time makes assembling and baking a breeze, perfect for busy evenings or when hosting guests.
Earlier in the Day or the Night Before:
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into uniform florets. Place them in a large pot, cover with a layer of water (no need to boil yet), and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. This saves valuable time when you’re ready to start the main cooking process.
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon strips until they are perfectly crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Crumble or chop them into desired pieces once cooled, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This ensures the bacon is ready to be scattered over the cauliflower without any last-minute frying.
- Grate the Cheese: Grate your chosen flavorful cheese (Gruyere or Emmentaler works wonderfully). Store the grated cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Having the cheese ready to go simplifies the assembly process.
By preparing these components in advance, you can significantly reduce your active cooking time on the day you plan to serve the gratin, allowing you to enjoy more time with your family or guests.
📖 Recipe Card
Andréa
5 of 2 votes
Pin Recipe
25 minutes
25 minutes
50 minutes
Dinner, Side Dish
European Cuisine
4 persons
598 kcal
Equipment
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A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C.
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower , washed and cut into florets
- 150 grams bacon , cut into strips
- 45 grams flour
- 5 eggs , size L, lightly beaten
- 200 ml cream
- 250 ml milk , full-fat
- 75 grams cheese , grated, full of flavor such as Gruyere or Emmentaler
- salt and pepper , to taste
- nutmeg , to taste
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius (approximately 425 degrees Fahrenheit). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking and a beautifully golden crust.
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Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
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Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are al dente. This means they should be tender when pierced with a fork, but still retain a slight bite. Drain the cauliflower thoroughly.
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While the cauliflower is cooking, heat a dry frying pan over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and fry until they are nicely crisp and golden brown. Remove the bacon from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
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Once cooked, transfer the cauliflower to a colander and ensure it drains thoroughly. Removing as much water as possible will prevent the gratin from becoming watery.
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Generously butter an oven-safe baking dish, approximately 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inches). This helps prevent sticking and adds to the rich flavor.
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Arrange the cooked cauliflower florets evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Crumble or chop the crispy bacon and sprinkle it generously over the layer of cauliflower.
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In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cream and flour until thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth with minimal lumps. It should start to thicken slightly.
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Gradually beat in the lightly beaten eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue to stir until the mixture is uniform.
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Finally, pour in the milk and add two-thirds of the grated cheese to the cream and egg mixture. Stir everything well until all ingredients are combined.
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Season the creamy mixture generously with a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
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Carefully pour the creamy cheese batter over the cauliflower and bacon in the baking dish. Gently shake or tilt the dish to ensure the sauce spreads evenly and covers all the ingredients.
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Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the grated cheese over the top of the gratin. This will create a beautiful golden crust.
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Carefully place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes. Monitor the gratin as it bakes; if the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the inside continues to cook and set. The gratin is ready when it’s golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 47g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Cholesterol: 324mg
Sodium: 532mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 1335IU
Vitamin C: 70mg
Iron: 2mg
cauliflower recipe, side dish recipe, vegetable recipe, gratin, bacon
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Cauliflower Bacon Gratin is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of meals. Serve it as a luxurious side dish alongside a roasted chicken, pan-seared pork chops, or a succulent steak. For a lighter meal, it can easily stand alone as a satisfying vegetarian option (just omit the bacon, or replace with smoked paprika for a smoky flavor) with a fresh green salad and crusty bread. You can also experiment with different cheeses like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or a blend of Italian cheeses to vary the flavor profile.
Feeling adventurous? Try adding a layer of thinly sliced potatoes for an even heartier gratin, or introduce some caramelized onions for an extra layer of sweetness and depth. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley before serving can add a vibrant finish and a burst of freshness.
If you made this delicious cauliflower bacon gratin, we’d love to see your culinary masterpiece! Share your creation and tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram or Twitter. It brings us so much joy to see you recreate our recipes. You can also share your kitchen adventures on my Facebook channel or pin this recipe on Pinterest to easily find it for your next cooking session. Happy cooking, and see you soon!
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