Cauliflower with minced meat under cheese sauce béchamel
5 servings
40 minutes
Cauliflower with minced meat under béchamel cheese sauce is a refined dish of European cuisine that combines the tenderness of vegetables, the richness of meat filling, and the creamy velvetiness of the sauce. Béchamel, a classic French sauce, adds sophistication and softness to the casserole's flavor, while the baked cheese forms an appetizing golden crust. The light spiciness of garlic and the aroma of herbs make this dish particularly appealing. It is perfect for a cozy home dinner or festive table, especially when paired with mashed potatoes. The secret to success is the right texture of the cauliflower: it should remain slightly crunchy to harmoniously complement the juicy meat base. Enjoy this elegant and hearty dish that awakens culinary emotions!
1
Chop the onion and garlic, sauté in olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add the minced meat. Season with salt, pepper, add thyme and rosemary. Cook until done for 8-10 minutes.
- Onion: 2 heads
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Mixed mince: 450 g
- Salt: pinch
- Freshly ground black pepper: pinch
- Dried rosemary: pinch
- Dried thyme leaves: pinch
2
Place the prepared filling on kitchen paper towels to absorb any excess fat.
3
Divide the cauliflower into florets and boil in salted water for 6-7 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Ideally, the cauliflower should remain crunchy. Do not overcook it.
- Cauliflower: 500 g
4
For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, and mix well with a whisk. Remove from heat and, while stirring vigorously, add milk. Watch for lumps; there shouldn't be any. Return the sauce to low heat and continue stirring. Add salt, but don't overdo it, as the cheese is also salty. Season with pepper and nutmeg to taste. As soon as the sauce starts to boil, quickly remove it from the heat and add 30 g of grated cheese, mixing well again. This cooking method uses the famous 'Béchamel' sauce, which you can read about in the history of this recipe.
- Butter: 25 g
- Wheat flour: 25 g
- Milk: 300 ml
- Salt: pinch
- Freshly ground black pepper: pinch
- Ground nutmeg: pinch
- Grated cheese: 50 g
5
There is very little left, namely: in the baking dish, first layer the minced meat, then place the cauliflower on top and evenly pour the sauce. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 200°C until golden brown.
- Mixed mince: 450 g
- Cauliflower: 500 g
- Breadcrumbs: 1 tablespoon
- Grated cheese: 50 g
6
Serve with mashed potatoes!