Creamy French Onion Cauliflower Bake
This Creamy French Onion Cauliflower Bake is a delightful twist on a classic comfort food that warms you from the inside out, especially on those chilly winter evenings. The cauliflower is steamed to perfection, then generously coated with a tangy sour cream mixture enhanced with flavorful French onion soup mix. With the option to customize with milk for a thinner sauce or a sprinkle of paprika for a touch of color and spice, this dish is adaptable to your taste. Perfect as a side or a light vegetarian main, it's sure to convert even the most reluctant cauliflower eaters into fans!
6
Servings
50
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cauliflower
1 head (Discard outer leaves and cut out the core, wash under running water.)
Sour Cream
1 cup (Lite sour cream can be used if preferred.)
French Onion Soup Mix
1 (40 g) package (Use the dry version.)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (Optional, can be omitted if desired.)
Salt
to taste (Add as desired.)
Pepper
to taste (Add as desired.)
Butter
for greasing (Use to grease the casserole dish.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (about 200°C).
2
Prepare the cauliflower by discarding the outer leaves and carefully cutting out the core. Leave the cauliflower head whole and wash it thoroughly under running water.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the French onion soup mix, sour cream, and nutmeg. Set aside for flavors to meld.
4
Steam the cauliflower head upright (bottom side down) for about 10-12 minutes until it becomes tender-crisp.
5
Using tongs or two forks, carefully transfer the steamed cauliflower to a buttered deep casserole dish or a souffle dish.
6
Pour the creamy sour cream mixture evenly over the cauliflower head, ensuring it is well-coated.
7
Optionally, sprinkle paprika over the top for additional flavor.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the dish is heated through and slightly golden on top.
9
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious, creamy cauliflower!
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
3.3g
Carbs
1.3g
Protein
0.8g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy French Onion Cauliflower Bake?
It is a comfort food dish featuring a whole steamed cauliflower head coated in a tangy sour cream and French onion soup mix sauce, then baked until golden.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is tagged as vegetarian and uses cauliflower as the primary ingredient.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 50 calories.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (about 200°C).
How long do I need to steam the cauliflower?
Steam the cauliflower head upright for about 10-12 minutes until it is tender-crisp.
Can I use lite sour cream for this recipe?
Yes, lite sour cream can be used if you prefer a lower-fat option.
What kind of French onion soup mix is required?
The recipe calls for one 40g package of dry French onion soup mix.
Is the nutmeg a required ingredient?
No, the 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg is optional and can be omitted if desired.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the prepared cauliflower for about 15 minutes until heated through and slightly golden.
Should I cut the cauliflower into pieces before cooking?
No, the recipe instructions state to leave the cauliflower head whole after removing the core and leaves.
What type of baking dish is recommended?
You should use a buttered deep casserole dish or a souffle dish.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 servings.
How can I make the sauce thinner?
You have the option to customize the sauce with milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 3.3g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 3.3g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe provide any dietary fiber?
Yes, each serving contains 0.8g of fiber.
How much protein is in this cauliflower bake?
There is 1.3g of protein per serving.
What is the best way to clean the cauliflower?
Discard the outer leaves, cut out the core, and wash the head thoroughly under running water.
Can I add spice to this dish?
Yes, you can sprinkle paprika over the top for a touch of color and spice.
Is this dish intended as a side or a main?
It is perfect as a side dish or can be served as a light vegetarian main course.
How do I transfer the steamed cauliflower to the baking dish?
Use tongs or two forks to carefully transfer the whole steamed cauliflower head.
What should I use to grease the casserole dish?
The recipe recommends using butter to grease the dish.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, let the dish cool slightly after removing it from the oven before serving.
What is the texture of the steamed cauliflower before baking?
It should be tender-crisp after its initial 10-12 minutes of steaming.
Does the recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, both salt and pepper should be added to taste.
What season is this recipe best suited for?
It is described as a classic comfort food perfect for chilly winter evenings.
Can I use more than one head of cauliflower?
The current measurements for the sauce are specifically for 1 head of cauliflower.
How do I ensure the cauliflower is well-coated?
Pour the sour cream mixture evenly over the cauliflower head after placing it in the dish.
What is the flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is tangy from the sour cream and savory from the French onion soup mix.
What should the finished dish look like?
The top should be slightly golden once it has finished baking.