Best 6 Cauliflower Leek And Bacon Gratin Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Cauliflower Leek and Bacon Gratin, a culinary masterpiece that combines the earthy sweetness of cauliflower, the subtle sharpness of leeks, and the smoky richness of bacon. This symphony of textures and flavors is further enhanced by a velvety béchamel sauce, a delightful blend of butter, flour, and milk, while a sprinkling of Gruyère cheese adds a nutty depth and a golden-brown crust. This recipe also includes creative variations to cater to diverse dietary preferences. Discover a vegetarian delight with the Leek and Mushroom Gratin, where succulent mushrooms replace the bacon, or embark on a keto journey with the Cauliflower Bacon Gratin, a low-carb alternative that retains the smoky bacon indulgence. Treat yourself to a culinary adventure with our Cauliflower Leek and Bacon Gratin and its delightful variations.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CAULIFLOWER GRATIN WITH LEEKS AND WHITE CHEDDAR



Cauliflower Gratin With Leeks and White Cheddar image

A sort of cheater's gratin, this cauliflower cooked with leeks and cream doesn't require blanching or a béchamel, making it a low maintenance, deeply comforting side dish. To skirt the blanching, the cauliflower and cream is covered in foil to give the vegetables a chance to get tender without drying out. The foil then comes off so the top can brown and the cream can reduce, creating a thick, velvety sauce. If your heart desires a crunchier texture, add a scattering of bread crumbs tossed in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper when the aluminum foil comes off.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     vegetables, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 small-ish head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), green leaves removed
Olive oil, for drizzling
1 small leek, white and light green part only, very thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
¾ cup heavy cream
6 ounces sharp white Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice cauliflower head lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices, including the core and leaves. (Some smaller bits will fall away: That's fine. You'll use them as well.)
  • Drizzle some olive oil onto the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. (An oval, square or rectangular dish will all work.) Layer about a third of the cauliflower along the bottom, and about a third of the leeks. Season with salt and pepper, and repeat until all of the cauliflower and leeks are used. (Don't worry about perfectly layering them.) Season with salt and pepper and drizzle cream over. Scatter cheese on top, and season again with salt and pepper. Lightly cover with foil and place in the oven.
  • Bake until cauliflower is nearly tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until cream has thickened and reduced nearly completely and the top is golden brown and crisp, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before eating.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 514 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CAULIFLOWER AND LEEK GRATIN



Cauliflower and Leek Gratin image

This bubbly and cheesy dish makes for a delicious dinner party side. Serve with Salt and Pepper Crusted Rack of Lamb and Wilted Mustard Greens.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
1 (3-pound) head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, trimmed, and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
2 small shallots, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red-pepper flakes
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until slightly tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, shallots, red-pepper flakes, and thyme; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour until well combined. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly, until well combined. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil; let boil 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cups cheese; season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour leek mixture over cauliflower mixture and stir until cauliflower is well coated; transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup cheese over top. Transfer to oven and bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Transfer baking dish to broiler; broil until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

CAULIFLOWER AND BACON GRATIN



Cauliflower and Bacon Gratin image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 54m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for dish, plus 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 slices day-old sourdough bread or 2 cups bread crumbs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained
8 ounces bacon, cooked until crispy and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup grated Gruyere, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
Olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

  • Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch casserole dish. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, blend the bread until it forms into crumbs.
  • In a large non-stick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring constantly until all the butter has been absorbed and the bread crumbs are toasted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream and flour. Add the capers, bacon and 1/2 cup of the Gruyere. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook for 2 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and toss with the cream mixture. Pour the cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown.

CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE



Cauliflower Casserole image

Creamy and cheesy cauliflower casserole with cream cheese and bacon is an easy, low-carb side dish perfect for holidays and gatherings.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Side Dish

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 medium heads of cauliflower
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 slices bacon
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2/3 cup freshly grated Gruyere (or similar melty, nutty, alpine-style cheese, divided)
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
3 tablespoons fresh chives (chopped)

Steps:

  • Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Lightly coat a wide 3-quart (9x13) casserole dish, with nonstick spray, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Transfer the cauliflower to the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Keep the bowl handy. Roast cauliflower on the lower rack for 30 minutes, until the florets are tender and begin to brown.
  • Meanwhile, arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared foil-lined baking sheet. Bake on the upper rack until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove the bacon and cauliflower from the oven. Stir the cauliflower, spread it back into an even layer, and place it on the upper rack to continue cooking until the end of its baking time.
  • Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and lightly pat dry. Once cool enough to handle, roughly chop or crumble the bacon into small pieces.
  • In the same bowl that you used to toss the cauliflower, beat together the cream cheese and Greek yogurt until combined. Stir in 1/3 cup Gruyere cheese, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and half of the chopped bacon.
  • Remove the roasted cauliflower from the oven and dollop the cream cheese mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 cup of Gruyere and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan.
  • Return the pan to the upper third of the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and gooey, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Broil the casserole until golden on top, 1 to 3 minutes. Do not walk away, and watch carefully to make sure the cheese does not burn.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh chives and remaining bacon. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 of 8, Calories 229 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Cholesterol 34 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 9 g

CAULIFLOWER, LEEK AND BACON GRATIN RECIPE - (4/5)



Cauliflower, Leek and Bacon Gratin Recipe - (4/5) image

Provided by bakeaholic

Number Of Ingredients 13

Topping:
1 head of cauliflower cut into bite-size florets
6 slices bacon, cut into thin strips
3 leeks, chopped into half moons
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup grated Gruyere
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Gruyere
2 tbsp. melted butter

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 inch square or oval dish. 2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook cauliflower for 5 minutes. Drain. Set aside in a bowl. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until crispy. Set aside on paper towels. Discard all but 2 tsp. of fat. Add leeks to the skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until very soft and just starting to turn golden. Transfer to the bowl with the cauliflower. Add bacon. 4. Wipe skillet clean. Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle with flour; cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Whisk for 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and thickened. Whisk in the Gruyere, Parmesan and salt until cheese is melted. 5. Pour over cauliflower mixture, stirring until well coated. 6. Transfer to buttered dish. Topping: In a bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, cheese and butter. Sprinkle over the dish. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden on top and heated throughout. Variation: Use broccoli and cheddar in place of cauliflower and Gruyere and Parmesan.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER & BACON GRATIN



Cheesy cauliflower & bacon gratin image

This very indulgent version of cauliflower cheese is inspired by the après-ski classic, tartiflette

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tsp vegetable oil
200g smoked bacon lardons or cubetti di pancetta
2 large onions , sliced
800g potatoes , thickly sliced
1kg cauliflower , cut into bite-size florets
100g medium-mature cheddar or gruyère , coarsely grated
250ml double cream

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the bacon for 5 mins until just starting to crisp. Add the onion and sizzle for 12 mins until soft and golden.
  • Meanwhile, tip the potatoes into a large pan of water, making sure they are well covered. Bring to a gentle boil, then add the cauliflower and cook everything for 6-7 mins until both are tender. Tip into a colander and drain thoroughly.
  • In a gratin dish, layer the potato and cauliflower, then scatter with bacon, onion and a small handful of cheese. Drizzle each layer with a little cream and season. Continue until all the layers are finished, pour over the remaining cream and scatter with the last of the cheese. Bake for 30 mins until bubbling. Remove from the oven and set aside for 1 min to rest. Serve straight from the dish with a crisp green salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 817 calories, Fat 57 grams fat, SaturatedFat 29 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 51 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 14 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 29 grams protein, Sodium 2.12 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right cauliflower: Look for a head of cauliflower that is compact and white, with no signs of browning or bruising.
  • Prepare the cauliflower correctly: Cut the cauliflower into florets and then blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain the florets and then pat them dry.
  • Cook the bacon until it is crispy: This will add flavor and texture to the gratin.
  • Use a good quality cheese: A sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese will melt well and give the gratin a rich flavor.
  • Don't overcook the gratin: The cauliflower should be tender but still have a slight crunch.

Conclusion:

Cauliflower leek and bacon gratin is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover cauliflower. With its creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and tender cauliflower, this gratin is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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