Cheesy Stuffed Cauliflower Head (View Print Version)

Whole roasted cauliflower with a creamy, cheesy filling and golden breadcrumb topping—perfect for sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large whole cauliflower (about 2.2 lbs), leaves and stem trimmed but intact
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - ½ tsp salt
04 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Cheese Filling

05 - 5.3 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 3.5 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1.8 oz grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
11 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
12 - 1 tbsp milk

→ Topping

13 - 1.8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
15 - 1 tbsp melted butter

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Remove the outer leaves and carefully trim the base so it sits flat, ensuring the florets remain intact.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Submerge the cauliflower head and cook for 8–10 minutes until just tender. Drain well and let cool slightly.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, chives, garlic, smoked paprika, nutmeg, and milk until smooth.
05 - Place the cooled cauliflower on the prepared tray. Using a small knife, carefully make deep cuts into the base and between florets to create space for the filling.
06 - Gently stuff the cheese mixture into the crevices and center of the cauliflower, pressing it in with a spoon or your fingers.
07 - Brush the outside of the cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
08 - Mix cheddar cheese with breadcrumbs and melted butter; sprinkle evenly over the cauliflower.
09 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden, bubbling, and tender when pierced with a knife.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the tender roasted cauliflower and the rich, creamy filling is absolutely worth the effort
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen but comes together with surprisingly simple techniques
02 -
  • Do not skip the blanching step or the cauliflower will still be raw in the middle when the cheese is perfectly melted
  • Make sure the cauliflower is cooled before stuffing or the cheese mixture will melt too quickly and make a mess
03 -
  • Use a piping bag to get the filling into those tight spots without making a mess
  • If the top is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes
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