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Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Chowder

March 13, 2011 by Faith 41 Comments

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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)

1/2 of a medium head of cauliflower, chopped into small pieces (4 c chopped)

1 TB olive oil

1 very small (about 2 1/2 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, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp 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). 

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: Cauliflower, Cheddar, Chowder, Crumb Topping, Panko, Recipes, Rosemary, Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Ropsa says

    March 13, 2011 at 7:32 am

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

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  2. 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
  3. Cherine says

    March 13, 2011 at 7:51 am

    This looks so good

    Reply
  4. Lisa says

    March 13, 2011 at 7:53 am

    This looks amazing, as usual!

    Reply
  5. 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
  6. swathi says

    March 13, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    this cheesy cauliflower looks rich and creamy.Love it.

    Reply
  7. Diane says

    March 13, 2011 at 3:20 pm

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

    Reply
  8. 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
  9. Priya says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Thats an inviting and yummy chowder..

    Reply
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Angie's Recipes says

    March 14, 2011 at 1:01 am

    Love cauliflower prepared this way…comforting and delicious.

    Reply
  16. new era hats says

    March 14, 2011 at 4:45 am

    i think it is very good

    Reply
  17. sylvia says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:13 am

    Love cowliflower :Very inviting recipe

    Reply
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  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. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. Karen says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:38 am

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

    Reply
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. tasteofbeirut says

    March 15, 2011 at 9:35 pm

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

    Reply
  34. 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
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. 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
  39. Nutmeg Nanny says

    March 16, 2011 at 10:51 pm

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

    Reply
  40. A Canadian Foodie says

    March 19, 2011 at 1:23 am

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

    Reply
  41. Nutella Love Affair says

    April 5, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    Looks delicious! Perfect for a cold and rainy day.

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Faith and I write An Edible Mosaic. This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. I focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home. Welcome to my mosaic of recipes.

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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