Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese

Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese is a comforting British classic made with tender cauliflower florets coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and baked until golden and bubbling. The combination of soft cauliflower and silky mature Cheddar sauce creates a delicious side dish that pairs beautifully with roast dinners. This recipe is simple to prepare, making it ideal for beginners and experienced home cooks alike. It takes around 50 minutes from start to finish, including preparation and baking time.

Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese

Recipe by Ibrahim KhanCourse: Side DishCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Tender cauliflower florets baked in a rich, creamy Cheddar cheese sauce until golden and bubbling. A classic British side dish perfect for roast dinners and family meals.

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets

• 50g butter

• 50g plain flour

• 600ml whole milk

• 150g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 25g Parmesan cheese, grated

• Butter for greasing

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and lightly grease a baking dish.
• Cook the cauliflower florets in boiling water for 5 minutes until just tender. Drain well.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour to form a smooth paste.
• Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened.
• Stir in the Cheddar, mustard, salt and pepper until melted.
• Arrange the cauliflower in the prepared dish and pour over the cheese sauce.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
• Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Drain the cauliflower thoroughly to avoid a watery sauce.
• Use mature Cheddar for the best flavour.
• The dish can be assembled ahead and baked when needed.

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower

• 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
• Water for boiling

For the Cheese Sauce

• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 600ml whole milk
• 150g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Topping

• 25g Parmesan cheese, grated
• Butter for greasing the baking dish

How to Make Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Grease a medium baking dish with a little butter and place a shelf in the middle of the oven.
• Cook the cauliflower: Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for about 5 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
• Make the roux: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add the milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
• Add the cheese: Remove from the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese, mustard, salt and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
• Assemble the dish: Arrange the drained cauliflower in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
• Add the topping: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the surface for a golden crust.
• Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden.
• Rest and serve: Leave the cauliflower cheese to stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to settle.

Tips for the Best Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese

How do I stop cauliflower cheese from becoming watery?

Drain the cauliflower thoroughly after boiling and allow excess steam to evaporate before adding it to the baking dish.

Which cheese works best?

Mature Cheddar gives the richest flavour and melts beautifully into the sauce.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the dish up to one day in advance, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve.

How do I get a golden topping?

Adding Parmesan cheese on top helps create a crisp, golden crust during baking.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve alongside roast beef or roast chicken.
• Pair with grilled sausages and vegetables.
• Enjoy as a vegetarian main course with crusty bread.
• Serve with baked ham for a traditional British meal.

Storage

Room Temperature

Do not leave cauliflower cheese at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Freezing

Freeze in a suitable container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

Nutrition

• Calories: 285 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Protein: 14g
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Sodium: 520mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

FAQs