Best 3 Cheesy Cauliflower With Crunchy Panko Crumbs Made Lite Recipes

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**Cheesy Cauliflower with Crunchy Panko Crumbs: A Delightful Treat for Health-Conscious Individuals**

Craving a delicious and guilt-free dish? Look no further than the cheesy cauliflower with crunchy panko crumbs. This innovative recipe transforms the humble cauliflower into a culinary delight, perfect for those seeking a healthier alternative to traditional comfort food. With a crispy panko crust and a gooey cheese filling, this dish strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition. And the best part? We have three variations to suit your dietary preferences: a classic version, a gluten-free option using almond flour, and a vegan alternative with a cashew-based cheese sauce. Whether you're a cheese lover, a gluten-free enthusiast, or a vegan seeking a satisfying meal, we've got you covered. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embrace a healthier lifestyle with our cheesy cauliflower recipes.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BAKE WITH CRUNCHY PANKO CRUMBS - MADE LITE!



Cheesy Cauliflower Bake with Crunchy Panko Crumbs - made Lite! image

My family loved this dish, which had a light garlic-infused sauce and a crunchy panko crumb topping. I used a reduced fat cheese that tastes great! I reduced the butter with healthy Omega-3 olive oil and added herbs and aromatics, which yielded a creamy, flavorful sauce with perfectly cooked cauliflower that was slightly crunchy to the bite-- and not mushy. Nobody will know that this isn't a rich a decadent side dish!

Provided by Debby - www.AFeastfortheEyes.net

Categories     Side Dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 medium head cauliflower (cut into small florets)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese* (grated; (highly recommended brand is Cabot Cheese))
3/4 cup 1% milk
3/4 low-sodium chicken stock
1 small garlic clove (minced)
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme (fresh is best)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or dry mustard powder)
Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
3/4 cup Japanese Panko Crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets, rinse and drain. Microwave in a bowl, with about 1" of water, covered in plastic wrap (or a lid) for 3-5 minutes (depending on your microwave power). Remove the plastic wrap and set aside-- you want the cauliflowers to be slightly crunchy.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER WITH CRUNCHY PANKO CRUMBS, MADE LITE RECIPE - (4.4/5)



Cheesy Cauliflower with Crunchy Panko Crumbs, made Lite Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by Foodiewife

Number Of Ingredients 16

For the sauce:
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese* (highly recommended brand is Cabot Cheese, grated
3/4 cup 1% milk
3/4 low-sodium chicken stock
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme (fresh is best)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or dry mustard powder)
Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
For the topping:
3/4 cup Japanese Panko Crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets, rinse and drain. Microwave in a bowl, with about 1" of water, covered in plastic for 3-5 minutes (depending on your microwave power). Remove the plastic wrap and set aside-- you want the cauliflowers to be slightly crunchy. For the sauce: Melt the butter and olive oil on medium heat. Whisk the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it becomes very thick. Add the milk and continue whisking-- the sauce should still be very thick. Add the minced garlic. Add the chicken stock, a little at a time, until the sauce is has thinned out enough to be "pourable". Reduce the heat to low and add the grated cheese, stirring until it is completely melted. Add the thyme, then season, carefully, with salt & pepper, mustard and cayenne pepper(if desired). Give the sauce one final taste, and adjust the final seasonings to your preference. For the topping: In a small bowl, drizzle enough olive oil to slightly moisten the panko crumbs (regular bread crumbs are okay, but panko crumbs are much crunchier, and combine with a fork. Set aside. You can also add some additional thyme to the topping if you love that herb! Assembly: Pour the cauliflower into a casserole dish (or individual ramekins). Carefully pour and distribute the cheese sauce, evenly. Sprinkle the panko crumbs on top. Bake at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden and bubbly. You can broil the topping for 1 minute (keep an eye on it) if desired. By using low-fat milk, healthier olive oil and less butter, and reduced-fat cheese, this otherwise very high caloric dish is equally flavorful and we loved this dish!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PARMESAN-PANKO CRUMBLE



Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan-Panko Crumble image

A make-ahead Parmesan and panko crumble adds an addictive savory crunch to this large-format holiday side.

Provided by Rick Martinez

Categories     Cauliflower     Breadcrumbs     Parmesan     Cheddar     Butter     Garlic     Thyme     Shallot     Parsley     Lemon     Thanksgiving     Side     Entertaining     Dinner

Yield 20 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3 1/2 oz. finely grated Parmesan (about 1 cup)
2 1/2 oz. coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
2 Tbsp. plus 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
4 large heads of cauliflower, cored, outer leaves removed
4 garlic cloves, finely grated
3 Tbsp. thyme leaves (from about 1 bunch)
20 large shallots, peeled, halved, quartered if very large, divided
8 tsp. kosher salt, divided
2 tsp. freshly ground pepper, divided
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Lemon wedges (for serving)

Steps:

  • Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Toss panko, Parmesan, cheddar, and 2 Tbsp. butter in a medium bowl until combined. Sprinkle evenly onto a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake on lower rack until cheese is melted and bubbling and panko is deep golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Let cool. Crumble into small pieces; set aside until ready to use.
  • Meanwhile, cut cauliflower into 1/2"-thick steaks (it's okay if the outside ends break apart).
  • Whisk garlic, thyme, and remaining 1 cup butter in a medium measuring cup.
  • Toss half of cauliflower, half of shallots, 1/2 cup butter mixture, 4 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper on a rimmed baking sheet until coated. Repeat with remaining cauliflower, shallots, 1/2 cup butter mixture, 4 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper on another rimmed baking sheet. Roast, tossing veggies and rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through, until tender and browned, 45-55 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly. Transfer to a platter. Top with reserved crumble and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.
  • Do Ahead: Uncrumbled panko mixture can be baked 1 day ahead. Wrap baking sheet with plastic and store at room temperature.

Tips:

  • Use fresh cauliflower florets for the best flavor and texture.
  • Cut the cauliflower florets into uniform sizes so they cook evenly.
  • If you don't have panko crumbs, you can substitute crushed crackers or bread crumbs.
  • Be sure to season the cauliflower florets well with salt and pepper.
  • Don't overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting the cauliflower. Give the florets plenty of space so they can crisp up.
  • Roast the cauliflower until it is tender and slightly browned.
  • Serve the cheesy cauliflower hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Conclusion:

Cheesy cauliflower with crunchy panko crumbs is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it is also a good source of protein and fiber. The cheesy sauce is rich and flavorful, and the panko crumbs add a nice crunchy texture. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.

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