Name: Thermomix Cauliflower Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 medium to large cauliflower (leaves removed and cut into florets); 50 g unsalted butter (cut into cubes); 50 g plain flour; 500 g full cream milk; 150 g of cheddar cheese (see notes)

A comforting Thermomix cauliflower cheese which takes minimal preparation and makes a wonderful accompaniment to a Sunday roast.

A top down view of baked cauliflower cheese in a white rectangle dish, with a black and white stripy tea towel sitting by the right side.

Making cheese sauce in the Thermomix was one of the first things I learned back in 2014 and is still one of the most popular recipes I make today.

It saves a lot of time and effort and is guaranteed to be free of any dreaded lumps. There are many possibilities with Cheese Sauce but for me, Cauliflower Cheese is what I use it for the most.

Steaming cauliflower florets in the Varoma takes about 25-30 minutes so I use the quick method of boiling them on the stove. I usually do this for about 5-6 minutes until slightly soft but still a little raw inside as they will continue to cook in the oven and there's nothing worse than soggy cauliflower!

Whilst the cauliflower is boiling away on the stove, you can get on with making the cheese sauce. Once everything is ready, just assemble and bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.

Two side by side images. Image 1 is raw cauliflower florets in a white rectangle dish and image 2 is cauliflower florets covered in a cheese sauce and shredded cheese, also in a white rectangle dish.

Cauliflower Cheese can be served as a side dish with anything or it's equally as nice on its own or with some crusty bread. Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days.

📖 Recipe

Thermomix Cauliflower Cheese

5 from 2 votes

A comforting Thermomix Cauliflower Cheese which takes minimal preparation and is a wonderful side dish to have with a Sunday roast.

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Prep Time:15

Cook Time:15

Total Time:30

Servings: 6

Author: Vicki Newton

Ingredients

1 medium to large cauliflower leaves removed and cut into florets

For the Cheese Sauce

50 g unsalted butter cut into cubes
50 g plain flour
500 g full cream milk
150 g of cheddar cheese see notes

Instructions

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and add the cauliflower florets. Cook until tender but slightly raw inside (about 5-6 mins). Avoid overcooking, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan).

For the Cheese Sauce

Add the cheese to the Thermomix bowl and grate for 5 sec/speed 9. Transfer it to a bowl and set aside. There is no need to wash the Thermomix bowl.
Add the butter to the Thermomix bowl and melt for 3 min/60°C/speed 2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
Add the flour and cook for 1 min/100°C/speed 1. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and along the blades. Cook again for 1 min/100°C/speed 1.
Add the milk and cook for 6 min/90°C/speed 4.
Add 100g of the cheese and blend for 10 sec/speed 5.

Assemble

Once the cauliflower has boiled, drain it and place it into a large baking dish.
Cover the cauliflower with the cheese sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Cheese variations: Mature cheddar adds plenty of flavour to the sauce, but you can swap some or all of it for other good melting cheeses if you prefer. Red Leicester adds a richer colour and sharp flavour, while Gruyère gives the sauce a smooth texture and subtle nutty flavour. Swiss-style cheeses, Jarlsberg or Colby also work well.