Cheesy Stuffed Cauliflower Head (Printable Copy)

Whole roasted cauliflower with a rich, creamy cheese filling that bakes to golden perfection. An impressive vegetarian centerpiece.

# What You Need:

→ Cauliflower

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

→ Cheese Filling

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

→ Topping

13 - 1.8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
15 - 1 tablespoon melted butter

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Remove the outer leaves from the cauliflower 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 -
  • Its a showstopper that looks like you spent hours but comes together mostly in the oven
  • The combination of three cheeses and warming spices makes cauliflower taste absolutely luxurious
02 -
  • Don't skip the blanching step or the cauliflower will still be raw in the middle when the cheese burns
  • Really get the filling into those crevices, every bite should have that cheesy goodness
03 -
  • Pat the blanched cauliflower dry with paper towels before stuffing to prevent waterlogged filling
  • Let the cream cheese come to room temperature while the cauliflower boils so it mixes easily
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