The oven-baked cauliflower without bechamel is a very simple and tasty side dish, perfect for accompanying meat or fish main courses. A variant of the recipe with bechamel, in a lighter version.
The preparation of the oven-baked cauliflower without bechamel is very simple and involves steaming the cauliflower. I cooked it in the electric pressure cooker, but you can also cook it in the traditional pressure cooker, or in plenty of salted water.
Afterwards, you will only need abundant grated pecorino, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and off it goes into the oven for a crispy and super tasty gratin. Curious to find out how to prepare it? Then let’s go into the kitchen together because the oven-baked cauliflower without bechamel will be ready in a click!
If you are interested in other side dish recipes, also read:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Oven, Instant pot
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
- Energy 117.64 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 6.10 (g) of which sugars 2.24 (g)
- Proteins 5.49 (g)
- Fat 8.71 (g) of which saturated 3.38 (g)of which unsaturated 0.09 (g)
- Fibers 2.45 (g)
- Sodium 1,615.85 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 113 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 16.5 oz cauliflower (weight of the already cleaned vegetable)
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup pecorino (grated)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- nutmeg (to taste)
Tools
- Pressure Cooker electric
- Steamer Basket
- Baking Dish
- Cutting Board
- Knife
Steps
Firstly, clean the cauliflower by removing the leaves. Then divide it into florets and wash it very well under water. Drain it and transfer it to the steamer basket.
Put some water in the pressure cooker and place the basket with the cauliflower. Close with the lid moving the lever to sealing and cook with the steam function for 1 minute. After the cooking time, activate the decompression and open the pot.
Now focus on preparing the cheese baked cauliflower. So distribute a bit of oil in a baking dish and arrange the florets side by side. Adjust with salt and pepper and distribute the grated pecorino.
Then add a sprinkle of nutmeg, a bit more oil, and bake in a preheated oven at 356°F (180°C) for 15 minutes with fan function, until a crust forms on the surface.
The cheese baked cauliflower without bechamel is ready! Serve it immediately, still hot and stringy.
Storage and Tips for Oven-Baked Cauliflower without Bechamel
The cheese baked cauliflower is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. You can also prepare it in advance and bake it at the right time.
FAQ Questions and Answers for Oven-Baked Cauliflower without Bechamel
What can I substitute for pecorino?
As an alternative to pecorino, you can use parmesan or grated fontina.
