• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
An Edible Mosaic™
  • about
    • contact
    • accessibility
    • privacy policy
    • terms and conditions
  • cookbooks
  • recipes
  • world cuisine
    • arabic and middle eastern
    • asian
    • british
    • buffalo foods
    • czech
    • dutch
    • ethiopian
    • french
    • german
    • greek
    • indian
    • irish
    • italian
    • jamaican
    • jewish
    • latin
    • polish
    • russian and ukrainian
    • swedish
    • tex mex
    • thai
    • west african
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
  • cookies!
  • about
  • recipes
  • cookbooks
  • subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • cookies!
    • about
    • recipes
    • cookbooks
    • subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Type » Side Dishes

    Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Chowder

    Published: Mar 13, 2011 · Modified: Apr 12, 2022 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 41 Comments

    This recipe was born one day when I was craving both macaroni and cheese and chowder, and couldn’t decide which to make.  While its flavor is reminiscent of the surreal epiphany that is found in a humble mac and cheese or simple chowder, it is ever-so-slightly more sophisticated with the addition of a rosemary/Panko topping.  What I love most about this side dish is that it can be dressed up or down.  Serve it with burgers and a green salad for a casual weeknight meal, or fancy it up with filet mignon and sautéed mushrooms…either way it will be love at first bite.

    Note that if you make this dish one day ahead the flavors will blend nicely but it will thicken up to a consistency similar to that of mac and cheese, instead of the chowder-like consistency shown in the pictures.

    Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Chowder

    (Yield:  serves 4-6 as a side dish)

    ½ of a medium head of cauliflower, chopped into small pieces (4 c chopped)

    1 TB olive oil

    1 very small (about 2 ½ oz) onion, finely diced

    1 large clove garlic, minced

    4 TB Panko bread crumbs

    1 spring fresh rosemary, stem discarded and leaves minced

    1 TB unsalted butter

    1 TB all-purpose flour

    2 c whole milk

    4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded

    Salt and pepper

    Preheat oven to 350F. 

    Blanch cauliflower in boiling, salted water until fork tender (3-4 minutes); drain immediately.

    In a small skillet, heat olive oil over low heat; add onion and garlic and sauté until tender and just starting to brown (about 5-7 minutes), stirring occasionally.  Add bread crumbs and sauté until light golden brown (about 1-2 minutes), stirring frequently.  Stir in rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper and turn off heat.

    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.  Whisk in milk, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper, and bring up to a boil (stirring occasionally), then turn heat down slightly and boil gently for 2 minutes (stirring constantly).  Turn off heat and whisk in cheese.  Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.

    Combine blanched cauliflower and cheese sauce and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish.  Sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top and bake until bubbling (about 25 minutes). 

    More Side Dishes

    • cheesy twice baked potato casserole recipe featured image
      Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe - An Easy Make-Ahead Casserole Everyone Loves
    • butternut squash casserole featured image
      Cheddar and Thyme Butternut Gratin Recipe - An Easy Casserole That's Perfect if You Need a New Idea For Winter Squash
    • pumpkin risotto featured image
      Pumpkin Risotto Recipe with Crispy Sage
    • salad shirazi recipe featured image
      Salad Shirazi Recipe - The Easy Persian Salad That Goes With Everything!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Nutella Love Affair says

      April 05, 2011 at 1:34 pm

      Looks delicious! Perfect for a cold and rainy day.

      Reply
    2. A Canadian Foodie says

      March 19, 2011 at 1:23 am

      That does look yummy to my tummy scrumptious!
      :0
      valerie

      Reply
    3. Nutmeg Nanny says

      March 16, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      This looks great! I love the idea of using cauliflower...better than pasta :)

      Reply
    4. Magic of Spice says

      March 16, 2011 at 10:13 am

      I love cauliflower and this sounds like a perfect recipe to enjoy it in. Love that topping :)

      Reply
    5. Steve @ HPD says

      March 16, 2011 at 7:08 am

      Not sure when we started doing this, but we mostly saute brocc and cauli with a little panko, to help it brown up. Will have to go whole hog and try the cheeziness. Cheers!

      Reply
    6. Sara @ Belly Rumbles says

      March 16, 2011 at 2:40 am

      What a wonderful combination of dishes. The panko topping looks so crisp and would be a wonderful contrast.

      Reply
    7. Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says

      March 16, 2011 at 12:14 am

      This sounds so wonderful.I love anything cheesey.Love the idea of vegetarian chowder!!

      Reply
    8. Anna Johnston says

      March 15, 2011 at 10:55 pm

      I really, really love a good cheesy cauliflower chowder. Cauliflower's are starting to show their little cool weather heads again at the markets..., something to look forward to through the winter.

      Reply
    9. tasteofbeirut says

      March 15, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      A wonderful dish, and a nice departure from my usual cauliflower with tarator sauce!

      Reply
    10. Pachecopatty says

      March 15, 2011 at 7:44 pm

      Hi Faith, I like what you said about dressing this baked cauliflower chowder up or down. It's interesting that by serving a dish that's on the richer side in a small amount with an extra touch as a starter or by pairing it with a green salad can change the personality of the dish. I am a lover of cauliflower so this chowder speaks to me and I would love it served either way;-)

      Reply
    11. Juliana says

      March 15, 2011 at 6:17 pm

      Faith, like this cauliflower dish...so creamy and tasty with the cheese in it...perfect for a cold day :-)

      Reply
    12. blackbookkitchendiaries says

      March 15, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      this looks so delicious! i need to try this out soon. thank you for sharing this.

      Reply
    13. Lazaro says

      March 15, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      Faith,

      My kind of dish. I am a big fan of the cauliflower. Just a great course I'd be happy to sink my teeth into anytime.

      Reply
    14. nancy at good food matters says

      March 15, 2011 at 11:31 am

      HI Faith, I have been out of the country for over two weeks--just now getting caught up all the cooking exploits of my food blogging friends. Your cauliflower chowder looks incredible--I love the upscale push with the panko and rosemary. This dish satisfies in the same comforting way as mac-cheese, but it is Way more healthy.

      Reply
    15. Karen says

      March 15, 2011 at 4:38 am

      I love it - the best of both worlds! Looks wonderfully creamy and comforting.

      Reply
    16. Sanjeeta kk says

      March 15, 2011 at 4:25 am

      Wow..wow! I have breadcrumbs and I know what exactly I am going to do with it :) Lovely recipe, Faith, will try with some other veggie and let you know. Take care.

      Reply
    17. Priscilla - She's Cookin' says

      March 15, 2011 at 12:56 am

      Looks so rich and creamy! Hard to believe that there's only 4 oz. of cheese here! Love your chowder/mac creation!

      Reply
    18. Veronica says

      March 14, 2011 at 11:42 pm

      Oooh, yummy! I've been wanting to do something cheesy with cauliflower lately and this looks so good!

      Reply
    19. Penny @ Keurig Brewing Systems says

      March 14, 2011 at 8:39 pm

      I am always trying to get my family to eat cauliflower, and this looks like a delightful dish. Maybe if I don't tell them its cauliflower until after they eat it?.....

      Reply
    20. Raina says

      March 14, 2011 at 7:58 pm

      I love cauliflower. What a great way to prepare it. It sounds amazing. I might even be able to sneak some veggies into my family with this one:)

      Reply
    21. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

      March 14, 2011 at 6:10 pm

      Now this is my kind of side dish! Looks delicious, Faith. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    22. Reeni says

      March 14, 2011 at 4:27 pm

      This sounds amazing Faith! I love the crunchy topping! Hope your having a great time!

      Reply
    23. Erica says

      March 14, 2011 at 8:26 am

      oh my gosh! That sounds fantastic!! I love cream of cauliflower soup and this sounds like an even thicker version. Perfect!

      Reply
    24. Barbara says

      March 14, 2011 at 6:37 am

      Great way to serve cauliflower! Via mac and cheese and a crunchy top! Super recipe, Faith, and I'll be trying it soon.

      Reply
    25. sylvia says

      March 14, 2011 at 6:13 am

      Love cowliflower :Very inviting recipe

      Reply
    26. new era hats says

      March 14, 2011 at 4:45 am

      i think it is very good

      Reply
    27. Angie's Recipes says

      March 14, 2011 at 1:01 am

      Love cauliflower prepared this way...comforting and delicious.

      Reply
    28. Monet says

      March 13, 2011 at 10:53 pm

      Cauliflower...chowder...mac and cheese...all those foods evoke such good memories for me. This seems like a bowl of heaven ! Thanks for sharing your creativity in the kitchen! Your words, recipes and photos always bring a big smile to my face. Have a great Monday!

      Reply
    29. 5 Star Foodie says

      March 13, 2011 at 10:52 pm

      I love all the cheese here, so yummy. And the breadcrumb topping is terrific!

      Reply
    30. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

      March 13, 2011 at 9:47 pm

      Cauliflower is one of those veggies that I buy because hubby loves it, but I can never decide how to cook it. I'm saving this recipe so I'll know what to do with it next time!

      Reply
    31. Susan says

      March 13, 2011 at 9:11 pm

      I love cauliflower and this sounds wonderful! I have a head of cauliflower in my frig and this looks like the perfect way to use it!

      Reply
    32. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says

      March 13, 2011 at 8:27 pm

      Ohmygosh I have goooot to make this! It looks amazing! <3

      Reply
    33. Priya says

      March 13, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      Thats an inviting and yummy chowder..

      Reply
    34. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

      March 13, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      This really looks amazing! We love cauliflower, what a great way to enjoy it!

      Reply
    35. Diane says

      March 13, 2011 at 3:20 pm

      The very best way to eat cauliflower, Yum yum. Diane

      Reply
    36. swathi says

      March 13, 2011 at 1:31 pm

      this cheesy cauliflower looks rich and creamy.Love it.

      Reply
    37. LeQuan says

      March 13, 2011 at 9:24 am

      You had me at cheesy, my friend. I need to bookmark this and make it soon. This looks delicious! I've been meaning to cook with cauliflower more, but haven't found a recipe I've liked yet, other than my usual stir fries. I think I've found a winner here. Thanks for sharing. Hope you guys are enjoying your vacation.

      Reply
    38. Lisa says

      March 13, 2011 at 7:53 am

      This looks amazing, as usual!

      Reply
    39. Cherine says

      March 13, 2011 at 7:51 am

      This looks so good

      Reply
    40. FOODESSA says

      March 13, 2011 at 7:33 am

      Faith...This is certainly a great way to enjoy a sometimes otherwise forgotten vegetable. Nice combo of ingredients.

      I also appreciate when cauliflower is roasted ahead of time...it certainly enhances the overall pleasure ;o)

      Flavourful wishes,
      Claudia

      Reply
    41. Ropsa says

      March 13, 2011 at 7:32 am

      A perfect combo! That is a chowder I'd gooble happiloy.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    faith photo with welcome

    Hi, I'm Faith!

    I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind An Edible Mosaic. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had. Welcome to An Edible Mosaic!

    More About Faith →
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS Feed

    Popular Recipes

    • boba milk tea featured image
      How to Make Bubble Tea (Easy Boba Tea Recipe)
    • mini victoria sponge cakes featured image
      Mini Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe - Fit for Royalty & Easy to Make as Cupcakes! {video}
    • canned chicken salad featured image
      Canned Chicken Salad Recipe
    • borscht recipe featured image
      Classic Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

    Seasonal Recipes

    • sausage stuffed acorn squash featured image
      Beautiful Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash Served in Squash Bowls {video}
    • small thanksgiving sheet pan dinner for 4 featured image
      Small Thanksgiving Dinner for 4 (Made on a Sheet Pan!)
    • fall harvest sweet potato salad recipe featured image
      Fall Harvest Sweet Potato Salad Recipe {video}
    • butternut squash casserole featured image
      Cheddar and Thyme Butternut Gratin Recipe - An Easy Casserole That's Perfect if You Need a New Idea For Winter Squash

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Contact
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    an edible mosaic stamp logo 1200 square

    SEE RECIPE INDEX

    Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS Feed

    My Other Blogs

    • Daily Desserting
    • The Keto Queens

    An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I use and love.

    Copyright © 2023 An Edible Mosaic