Bacon Cauliflower au Gratin

• Meat

  • 4 strips Bacon

• Produce

  • 2 heads Cauliflower
  • 1 tbsp Thyme, fresh

• Baking & Spices

  • 2 1/2 tbsp Flour
  • 1 Salt & pepper

• Dairy

  • 1 1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 2 tbsp Tillamook salted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups Tillamook sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

Found on tillamook.com

Description

Ingredients

• 4 strips of bacon, diced
• 2 heads of cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons Tillamook Salted Butter
• 2 ½ tablespoons flour
• 1 ½ cups 2% milk
• 1 1/2 cups Tillamook Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme (plus more for garnish)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bring a small skillet to medium high heat. Add bacon and saute until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
• Remove bacon from the skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate to let the grease drain. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add cauliflower florets to the pot and cook for 4-5 minutes, until tender.
• Pour cooked cauliflower into a colander and drain liquid. Be sure all liquid is gone, so you dont end up with a watery casserole.
• Pour drained cauliflower into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
• In the meantime, heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat.
• Add butter to saucepan and melt. Then add flour to pan. Whisk the flour and butter together, continue to do so for at least 3 minutes.
• Slowly pour in milk, whisking the entire time. Bring milk and flour mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer. Let the milk mixture simmer for about 6-8 minutes to thicken. Whisking occasionally.
• Remove saucepan from the heat. Add in 1 ¼ cups shredded cheese, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
• Pour cheese sauce over the cauliflower.
• Using a spoon, gently mix the cheese sauce and cauliflower together.
• Sprinkle the top of the cauliflower mixture with bacon, additional fresh thyme, and 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese.
• Place baking dish in oven and bake for 20 minutes until slightly browned.
• Remove from oven and serve it up. Sprinkle the remaining cheese as a yummy topper.