Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Gratin

Cauliflower has been having a moment for a few years now — and we’re here for it. But instead of roasting it for the millionth time or blending it into soup (also love), we’re baking it into this cozy, cheesy Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Gratin that’s the perfect high-protein twist on a comfort food classic.

This is the kind of side dish that hits all the marks: golden, bubbling edges, a creamy center that doesn’t feel too heavy, and the crispy breadcrumb topping that makes everyone want seconds. We use blended cottage cheese to create a super smooth, creamy base without relying on cream or flour — and honestly, you’d never know it’s there. That’s the whole point.

🧀 Skip the Cream, Keep the Creaminess

No roux, no heavy cream — just a quick cottage cheese blend with a splash of milk and a little butter. It melts into the cauliflower and creates the coziest texture, without weighing everything down.

And if you’ve got someone in your house who “doesn’t do” cottage cheese? This is the dish you serve without saying a word. They’ll never know.

🥦 Low-Carb Meets Actually Comforting

Whether you’re making this as a weeknight side or bringing it to a holiday dinner, it does everything a gratin should. Creamy underneath, crispy on top, with enough savory flavor to steal attention from whatever main it’s sitting next to.

It’s one of those “how is this so good?” recipes — and honestly, we like it better than the heavy, flour-based versions.

🛒 What’s in This Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Gratin

You only need a few ingredients to make it happen:

• Cauliflower – one head, cut into florets
• Butter – just enough to add richness
• Gruyère – for melty, nutty flavor
• Parmesan – salty, sharp, and essential
• Cottage cheese – blended until totally smooth
• Milk – a little splash to loosen the sauce
• Salt + pepper – always
• Breadcrumbs – we like panko for maximum crunch

You can add fresh thyme, chives, or even roasted garlic if you’re feeling extra, but this one holds up beautifully as-is.

🍽️🍽️ How to Serve It

This works pretty much anywhere a classic side dish would:

• With roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or steak
• On your Thanksgiving or holiday table
• With a big salad for a meatless main moment
• Or just straight from the pan while standing at the stove (we support it)

It’s simple enough for weeknights but feels like you did something impressive.

✨ Craving More Cottage Cheese Sides?

If this is your kind of recipe, here are a few more that use the same “you’d never guess” approach to cottage cheese:

• Cottage Cheese Mexican Corn Salad
• Cottage Cheese Ranch Pasta Salad
• Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
• Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

And if you’re cooking for someone who thinks they don’t like cottage cheese, we’ve got a whole list of cottage cheese recipes for people who hate it — all with zero curds, zero weird texture, and zero convincing required.

This Is the Side That Steals the Show

We’re always looking for ways to make vegetables feel like the best part of the meal, and this Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Gratin kind of nails it. It’s creamy without being heavy, cheesy without going overboard, and it’s one of those dishes that makes you go back for one more scoop. And then one more after that.

So if you’ve got a head of cauliflower and some cottage cheese hanging out in the fridge? This is your move. When you make this, leave us a comment below and let us know what you think!

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