Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Recipe
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This Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Recipe is perfect for weeknight suppers or Sunday dinners! It is a quick and easy, delicious favorite the whole family loves!
Mama made this cheesy cauliflower recipe on a regular basis while I was growing up. It was one of my favorite side dishes that she made way back when and is now one of my family’s favorites as well!
When I asked Mama how she first started making it, she said that the recipe came along with her very first microwave back in the day. She said it was just such an easy dish for her to make for supper after she got home from a long day of work at the hospital. She kept making it because we loved it so much!
I have to tell you though. When I was a much younger, we didn’t call it by the name that the recipe is titled here. We called it brains. I’m not certain who started calling it that when I was a little girl, but for some reason, it stuck and that’s what I immediately think of whenever I pull the cauliflower out of the refrigerator to make it. Somewhere along the line, I shared the story with Sam as a little fella and so now that’s what he calls it, too. 🙂
No matter what you call it though, Just give it a try. It is out of this world delicious and so stinking easy you won’t believe it! While our favorite way to make it is using the good ole microwave method, I’ve included the cooktop method if you’d prefer to use it. Either way it is fabulous!
Here’s our favorite way to make Easy Cheesy Cauliflower. Give it a try, I think you’ll love it, too!
Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
Instructions
Microwave Instructions:
- Core cauliflower and place in a 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe bowl. Add water and cover.
- Place in microwave and cook on High for 9 minutes. Remove from microwave and drain.
- Mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Spoon over top and sides of cauliflower. Sprinkle cheese over top and sides.
- MIcrowave on 50% power for 1 1/2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Cooktop Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Place cored cauliflower in steamer basket in large saucepan. Add enough water to cover bottom of pan by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, and steam until fork tender, about 12 minutes. Drain; remove from saucepan and place cauliflower in a shallow baking dish.
- Mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Spoon over top and sides of cauliflower. Sprinkle cheese over top and sides and place in oven. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
I was looking for this recipe…I am the grandmother in our family and I had this back in the 70s when we got our first microwave and I took classes on using it. Thanks for reviving the recipe!
Enjoy! Thanks Ann!
Made it! I love simple and yummy recipes. Kids approved so it’s an automatic thumbs up. The only alteration I did was the microwave time which I reduced from 9 to 5 mins. It really depends on your microwave oven’s power rating.
I’m so glad your family loved it!!! xo
Thank you for sharing, I have been looking for this recipe for a while. I made it as a child so much that I almost remembered it by heart. I know what’s for dinner.
It’s a favorite of mine too! Enjoy! Thanks Mechelle!
I have been looking for this recipe for the longest!!! Thanks!
Alice Robinson
I am amazed on how delicious this dish looks and, most of all, it’s quick and easy to make!
I always look forward to receiving your emails. Great recipes!
Thank you.
B
Thank you!
You’ve reminded me of a favorite from growing up and the ONLY way I would eat cauliflower!! It’s delicious and interestingly, my mom started making it when we got our first microwave!! I’m wondering tho, if you ever respond to these…you refer to “weeknight suppers and Sunday dinners”. I think it’s a regional term but wonder how it’s differentiated?
I love the easy way to prepare it in the microwave and the name – brains. My grandsons will be intrigued! Thanks for sharing.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
Can you use any other type of cheese?