Gordon Ramsay Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

This Gordon Ramsay Cauliflower Cheese recipe is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with a blend of mature Cheddar, Lancashire, and Cheshire cheeses. It’s the ultimate comfort food side dish, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Gordon Ramsay Cauliflower Cheese Recipe Ingredients

• 600g fresh cauliflower florets
• 60g butter
• 60g plain flour
• 1 tbsp English mustard powder
• 600ml whole milk
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 100g mature Cheddar, grated
• 100g Lancashire cheese, grated
• 100g Cheshire cheese, grated
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

1. Preheat Oven and Cook Cauliflower: Preheat your oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C) / 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4–5 minutes until just tender. Immediately drain and transfer to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process (this is called shocking). Drain well.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce Base (Roux): In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard powder to form a thick paste (a roux). Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Create the Béchamel: Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Add Cheese and Seasoning: Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper. Add half of the cheese blend (Cheddar, Lancashire, Cheshire) and stir until melted and smooth.
5. Assemble the Dish: Place the drained cauliflower florets in a shallow baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
6. Prepare the Topping and Bake: In a small bowl, mix the remaining half of the cheese blend with the breadcrumbs and fresh thyme leaves. Scatter this mixture evenly over the cauliflower. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
7. Rest and Serve: Let the cauliflower cheese rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Why rest the cauliflower cheese after baking? Letting it rest for 5-10 minutes is a crucial step. It allows the hot, bubbling cheese sauce to settle and thicken slightly, so it doesn’t run everywhere when you serve it.
• What’s the best dish to use? A shallow baking dish is ideal. It maximizes the surface area for the cheesy, crunchy topping, ensuring you get more of the best part in every bite.
• How can I get an extra-crunchy topping? For an insanely crunchy topping, you can toast the breadcrumbs in a little melted butter in a pan until they are golden brown before you mix them with the cheese and sprinkle them on top.
• How do I avoid a split sauce? Don’t overbake the dish. As soon as the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, it’s ready. Baking it for too long can cause the cheese sauce to get too hot and separate or become oily.

What To Serve With Cauliflower Cheese

This classic British side dish is the ultimate comfort food and pairs perfectly with:

• A traditional Sunday roast (chicken, beef, or lamb)
• Grilled pork chops or sausages
• Pan-seared steak
• As a hearty vegetarian main dish on its own

How To Store Cauliflower Cheese

• Refrigerate: Allow the dish to cool completely. Cover it with foil or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat in a moderate oven until warmed through and the top is crisp again.

Cauliflower Cheese Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 252kcal
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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