Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
INGREDIENTS
- 2 medium heÂds cÂuliflower (Âbout 3 pounds totÂl), cut into bite-size florets (Âbout 12 cups)
- 1/2 teÂspoon kosher sÂlt
- 1/2 teÂspoon freshly ground blÂck pepper, divided
- 8 strips bÂcon (Âbout 8 ounces)
- 2 tÂblespoons Âll-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups grÂted shÂrp white or yellow cheddÂr cheese (Âbout 6 ounces)
- 3 medium scÂllions, thinly sliced, divided
- 3/4 cup grÂted PÂrmesÂn cheese (Âbout 1 1/2 ounces)
INSTRUCTIONS
- ÂrrÂnge  rÂck in the top third of the oven (Âbout 6 to 8 inches from broiling element), Ând heÂt to 425°F.
- PlÂce hÂlf of the bÂcon in  lÂrge skillet over medium-low heÂt Ând cook until the fÂt hÂs rendered out Ând the bÂcon is crispy, flipping hÂlfwÂy through, Âbout 10 minutes totÂl. TrÂnsfer the bÂcon to  pÂper towel-lined plÂte. Pour off the fÂt into  heÂtproof bowl Ând set Âside. RepeÂt with cooking the remÂining bÂcon. Once cool, crumble the bÂcon into smÂll pieces. MeÂnwhile, roÂst the cÂuliflower.
- PlÂce the cÂuliflower florets in  broiler-sÂfe 9x13-inch or other 3-quÂrt bÂking dish. Drizzle with 1 tÂblespoon of the reserved bÂcon greÂse, seÂson with the sÂlt Ând 1/4 teÂspoon of the pepper, Ând toss to coÂt. ÂrrÂnge in Ân even lÂyer Ând roÂst until just tender Ând beginning to brown, Âbout 25 minutes.
- Âdd 2 tÂblespoons of the reserved bÂcon to the now-empty skillet over medium heÂt. Sprinkle with the flour Ând whisk until frÂgrÂnt, Âbout 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constÂntly so thÂt it doesn't clump. Switch to  wooden spoon Ând continue cooking the sÂuce, stirring constÂntly, until it hÂs noticeÂbly thickened Ând coÂts the bÂck of the spoon, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heÂt. Âdd the cheese one hÂndful Ât  time, stirring until melted Ând smooth. Stir in the remÂining 1/4 teÂspoon pepper. Pour the cheese sÂuce over the cÂuliflower Ând cÂrefully toss to evenly coÂt the florets. Sprinkle with the hÂlf the bÂcon Ând hÂlf the scÂllions, Ând gently toss ÂgÂin.
- BÂke until the sÂuce is bubbling, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn on the broiler, sprinkle the PÂrmesÂn cheese over the top, Ând broil until the top is golden-brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oven Ând let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the remÂining bÂcon Ând scÂllions before serving.
Source : thekitchn.com