Creamy Cauliflower Au Gratin in the Instant Pot
This simple side dish is creamy, cheesy, comfort food! Cauliflower au gratin is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot, and tastes amazing. Even picky eaters won’t hesitate to ask for seconds!
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Cauliflower is delicious roasted in the oven, a drizzle of oil, a little salt and pepper, maybe a little spice. If you think you don’t like a vegetable, try tossing it on a baking sheet and roasting it until fork tender and brown.
Variety is the spice of life, though, and sometimes you just want something a little different. I give you cauliflower au gratin. Tender cauliflower in a creamy cheese sauce with a crunchy toasted topping. SO GOOD.
We all enjoy this dish, from the toddlers to the grandparents. If you are looking for a way to introduce cauliflower to picky eaters, swap a veggie for a bowl of mac’n’cheese, or simply try something new, give this recipe a try.
The only “special” ingredient is the cauliflower itself, and it can be found at any grocery store or farmer’s market. Before the Instant Pot, I made cauliflower au gratin on the stovetop— still tasty, but it took longer and I ended up with many more dishes to wash.
This dish is perfect for holidays and special occasions, too. It’s simple enough that you aren’t adding any fuss to your preparations, but it’s an excellent way to make this humble vegetable shine.
You could easily make this side dish for a holiday dinner last minute, or prep it ahead of time to reheat later.
Pssst. If you need more inspiration to make your Instant Pot shine during the holidays, I’ve got you covered here. All of these recipes feature classic dishes, made healthier from scratch with less sugar and no processed ingredients!
Here are a few ideas to get you started ::
- Pumpkin Pie Creme Brûlée (Instant Pot recipe)
- Sweet Barbecue Meatballs (Instant Pot recipe)
- Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Dulce de Leche and Pecans (Instant Pot recipe)
- Healthier Green Bean Casserole (Instant Pot recipe)
Creamy Cauliflower Au Gratin in the Instant Pot
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: side dish
- Method: pressure cooker
Description
Creamy, cheesy, comfort food! Cauliflower au gratin is so simple to make in the Instant Pot, and tastes amazing!
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, about 4-5 C chopped
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 C milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 C shredded cheddar cheese
Topping:
- 1/4 C panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Combine the chopped cauliflower in the Instant Pot, along with 1/2 C of water. Cover and seal. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes. Quick release the pressure. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the hot cauliflower to a baking dish.
- Turn the Instant Pot on to Saute and melt the butter. Use a whisk to mix in the flour, then slowly pour in the milk, whisking the whole time. Add the salt and garlic powder. Heat the milk until it is thick and bubbly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in shredded cheese.
- Immediately pour the cheese mixture over the cauliflower. Combine the panko, paprika, and remaining shredded cheese in a small mixing bowl and toss with a fork. Top the cheesy cauliflower with the breading mixture.
- Place the casserole dish under the broiler until toasted and browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- Serve immediately or keep warm.
Notes
This recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people.
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This recipe was incredible. Absolutely delicious. I did add some black pepper to the cheese sauce. 5 minutes wound up being toi long in the broiler as it got a little dark… but wildly good and simple.
Not sure if I didn’t measure right or what but there wasn’t near enough sauce. I’ve made cauliflower gratin on the stovetop and it’s amazing. This time the sauce all sat on top of the the cauliflower and didn’t drip down around it. The topping was dryyyy. If I try again I’ll double the sauce recipe and add some butter to the breadcrumbs.
Fantastic recipe! Exactly what id hoped it would be! I drained the steamer water after I pulled the cauliflower and before I added cream on sauteed. It turned out absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!
Do you drain the water in the pot after streaming the cauliflower and making the cheese sauce or do you leave the water to use with the sauce?
I will be leaving the steam water in the instant pot, adding butter to it, and trying it as written. Sounds delicious ?
Thanks for posting poster ? Although I was searching for a solo instant pot recipe, the topping sounds too good to leave out. Also sounds like something I could make ahead with or without the topping, and add when finishing in oven.
This was more than delicious. I used Almond Milk because I don’t use regular milk and it was so good. Better than I expected. The next time I make this I thought I might add so
This one’s a keeper! Best side dish I made for Christmas, thanks!