Servings: 6servings as a side dish or 2-3 servings as a main dish
Calories: 351kcal
Ingredients
1large head of cauliflower
1/2teaspoonkosher salt
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1/8teaspoonred pepper flakes
1/4cupbutter
2tablespoonscornstarch or arrowroot
1cupmilk
1 1/2cupsshredded sharp cheddar cheese
2cupsshredded Pepper jack cheesereserve a cup or so for topping
Optional: 4 slices baconcut into 1/2" pieces and cooked until crisp
Instructions
Rinse and pat dry the cauliflower. Remove all the leaves. Slice from the top to the bottom stem, into 1/4" thick slices. The cauliflower should basically fall apart. The idea is to create thin bite size pieces. Layer the cauliflower into the bottom of a baking dish, I use a 10-inch square or round dish. Season the slices generously with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the starch and whisk to combine. Add the milk and continue whisking until smooth and heated through. Add half of the cheese and stir to combine. Continue whisking until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth again.
Add the rest of the cheese (reserving about a cup's worth for topping) and stir again until the sauce is smooth and the cheese has completely melted. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with bacon, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is golden browned and bubbling. Enjoy!