Comforting gratin of cauliflower, tomatoes, tofu and spinach in a yogurt-curry sauce, topped with brown buttered breadcrumbs.
This dish only needs about 15 minutes of prep work, before sliding it into the oven and makes a great main or side dish.
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Casseroles are perfect for weeknight dinners. Especially ones that take only a few minutes to throw together before sliding it into the oven and bake. Like this dump and bake meatball casserole or this vegetarian stuffed pepper casserole.
I particularly have a love affair with cauliflower casseroles, such as this deep dish roasted cauliflower tart in a cheddar crust or my cauliflower tetrazzini casserole with poblano peppers. Another dish is this vegan cauliflower cheese recipe that's a simple cauliflower casserole made with vegan cheese.
๐ง Main Ingredients + Notes
For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Cauliflower
- Shallot
- Spices - smoked paprika, curry powder and kosher salt.
- Baby spinach
- Yogurt - full fat or 2%
- Tofu - soft tofu
- Tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese - goat cheese or mozzarella cheese also works great in this recipe.
- Breadcrumbs - plain or brown buttered breadcrumbs.
๐ Instructions Overview
Detailed instructions for making this cauliflower and tomato gratin are in the recipe card below, but here's a brief overview!
Step 1
Prep. Cut the cauliflower into florets and thinly slice the shallots. Toss in olive oil and paprika.
Step 2
Sautรฉ. Sautรฉ the cauliflower and shallots until lightly browned. Stir in the baby spinach until wilted.
Step 3
Whisk. Whisk together the yogurt, tofu, some tomatoes and cheddar cheese.
Step 4
Layer. Arrange the cauliflower mixture in one even layer on the bottom of a casserole dish. Spread the yogurt mixture over it, and then add a layer of tomatoes. Top with breadcrumbs.
Step 5
Bake. Bake for a total of 30 minutes.
โฐ Tips to Simplify and Save Time
Purchase cauliflower already cut up into florets. If your market carries it, these bags will be in the produce department.
๐กIdeas for Possible Variations
Roasted cauliflower really amps up the flavor. If you choose this path, roast cauliflower florets, lightly season with salt and black pepper. Roast in the oven or air fryer at 400หF. If using the oven, roast for 15 minutes, or in the air fryer for 7 - 10 minutes, depending on the size of the florets.
Other Cheesy Cauliflower Dishes
Cheesy Cauliflower Rarebit Slab Pie with a Rye Crust
Cauliflower Tetrazzini with Poblano Peppers
Roasted Cauliflower Tart with Kale, Tomatoes in a Cheddar Crust
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Rustic Cauliflower and Tomato Gratin
Equipment
- Small mixing bowl
- 8" X 8" baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 small head of cauliflower about 4 cups when cut into medium sized florets
- ยฝ cup thinly sliced shallots about 1 large or 2 smaller shallots
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ยฝ cup semi-soft tofu, drained chopped, if needed
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese divided
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ยพ teaspoon kosher salt or ยฝ teaspoon table salt
- 2 large tomatoes divided
- ยฝ cup browned butter breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ห F.
- Prep. First, slice the leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower stem. Next, turn the cauliflower head upside down, and slice off the florets. Cut any larger ones in half. You should end up with around 4 cups of florets.Cut the shallots in half and remove the root. Peel off their outer papery skins, and thinly slice them lengthwise until you have ยฝ cup. Using a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets and shallots in the olive oil and paprika.
- Sautรฉ. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and when hot, add the cauliflower and shallots, along with any excess oil in the large mixing bowl. Sautรฉ until browned, about 10 minutes. Toss them occasionally, using tongs.Add the spinach and lightly toss with the cauliflower until wilted.
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, tofu, ยฝ cup of the cheddar cheese, and curry powder in a large bowl. Mix to thoroughly combine using a rubber spatula. Dice one of the tomatoes, and gently mix in.
- Combine in baking dish. Arrange the cauliflower, shallots and spinach in the bottom of an 8" X 8" baking dish. Pour the sauce over the top, and gently tuck in around the veggies using a spatula.Slice the other tomato. Arrange the slices over the casserole, and top with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake. Cover the casserole with foil, and bake for 20 minutes, or until starting to bubble. Remove the gratin from the oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese over the top. Return the gratin to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Serve. Serve warm, with a sprinkling of chopped cilantro or parsley over the top.
Choc Chip Uru
So much flavour and so much hunger = good combo ๐
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks CCU!!!
Renee
Cauliflower and tomatoes are two veggies I cook with often. Now a dish that combines them with a breadcrumb crust - I'm all in!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
I think you gave the best description: Comfort food is a big warm hug from the past
So many flavors in this recipe, itยดs so interesting and sounds yummy!
juanitascocina
There's nothing more comforting to me than a dish with tomatoes. This looks simply amazing!
apuginthekitchen
Wow does this sound wonderful, a really delicious way to enjoy the ever so bland cauliflower. I hope to give this a try soon, it would be a delicious side for Thanksgiving.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Suzanne! Cauliflower's blandness allows it to have so many friends too - but I think one of my very favorite ways is with curry and tomatoes. I hope you give it a try ๐
baker street
Holy yum! comfort food indeed! This looks too good!
lizthechef
Love the tofu here - I'm going to sneak some into my vegetable gratins from now on.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Liz! I'm adding semi-soft tofu right now to any casseroles, pasta, anywhere in short where it can hide ๐ I haven't become a tofu lover yet, but in dishes like this I get the protein benefit without even knowing it's there. Even Myles didn't notice!
sunithi
Ok, healthy comfort food like this ... I can eat anytime if only someone would make it for me ! Very rustic & yummy indeed ! love this !
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Isn't it funny that as much as we all love to cook, sometimes at the end of the day we just want someone to cook for us ๐
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I'm not even a big fan of cauliflower but this looks amazing!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Becca!! This is a great way to try cauliflower ๐
veronica gantley
This would make a great Lenten recipe. I bookmarked it for later. I am pinning this puppy to!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Veronica ๐
diabeticFoodie
I need to change my vision of comfort food. Yum!
Megan - I Run For Wine
I think this would make an amazing side dish for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Oh, yum! This gratin looks so good. I can't wait to try this. Pinned.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Jennie!! I hope you like it as much as we did!
Tara
This looks amazing!! Love all the spices!! I have to go look up what harissa is.
Kim Bee
I need to try this one for my hubby. He would flip his lid for this. Looks so good.
Katie
This dish looks absolutely beautiful! I love new ways to cook cauliflower aside from my usual roasting method - thanks for sharing it!
Debra
This looks so delicious, comforting, and homey.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Debra! It's wonderful on a cool, drizzly October evening ๐
mjskit
I have to say - You sure make cauliflower look good! Not a huge fan of it, but this recipe and all the different flavors could probably turn that around! Great looking dish!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I really don't think you have to be a fan of cauliflower to like this dish. The other flavors really take over ๐
Bea
This looks so delicious!
Jennifer B
I am dying for some of your dish right now! It looks so delicious!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love your ditalini dish!! I can't wait to make it this week!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
OMG, I absolutely LOVE this!! and I SO love how you explained comfort food for you: "comfort food is food I have a relationship with. Emotional history." So true! I absolutely love this! Very well said. Word.
Laura Hunter
My last version of cauliflower gratin didn't turn out but your recipe makes me want to try it again
Erika
Mmmm that looks so delicious! I love comfort food that you can eat just a little too much of without feeling guilty ๐
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Me too! ๐
Stephanie Zielinski
I love that you brought together "old and new friends." I can't wait to try this recipe!
Hannah
Perfect timing for this recipe! We have wind and rain and I'm definitely in the mood for a comforting supper. I love the spice and flavors you have in here! Definitely a warm and happy dish!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Hannah! This is perfect for a windy rainy evening. Hope you and your family likes it ๐
Hannah
Quick question - do you think I could prepare this ahead til the baking part, freeze it, then bake it later?
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Hi Hannah! I'm not sure about how it would affect the consistency - if it would make it more watery and soggy. It might be ok, I'm just not sure since I haven't done it myself. I'd love to hear how it goes if you try freezing it first!
Hannah
That makes sense - just curious, since I like to stash a couple of casseroles in the freezer for quick week night dinners. Thanks for getting back to me!
Dara
Love this recipe! It's light AND comforting. Well done.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Dara!!
Yum Girl
That looks so delicious and I love the photo. If I may, Iโd like to invite you to submit your photos to the new YumGoggle, a photo sharing site with the philosophy that if you worked hard to cook it and photograph it, we should show it off! Hope to see you there soon!
Rita Held Cartalano
Love this, Susan. Comfort food is THE reason my favorite season is winter. Yes, I'm atypical. Being cozy inside with a good book or movie after a "comforting" supper, is nirvana for me. Thanks for all the links!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love fall and winter for much the same reason. That coziness is nirvana to me too ๐
foodwanderings
Love, love the photo. What a beautiful gratin. I love anything cauliflower though haven't cooked it in so long. Thanks for the inspiration!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much - I love cauliflower too!! Thanks for stopping by ๐
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Oh wow! Thanks so much!!!
Renee
I love comforting dishes like this - so perfect for when the temps dip. Looks great!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much!!
Liz
Such a magnificent gratin! I love the combo of tomatoes and cauliflower...but even more, anything topped with bread crumbs and cheese ๐
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
I am a big fan of cauliflower, but my husband isn't. But with all these spices and goodness, he just might get on board.
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife
Beautiful! I love this and the photos!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)
"Comfort food is a big warm hug from the past."
'Tis the truth!
I love the heat and textures going on in this dish. Hearty and healthy...
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba)
Love the touch of harissa in this!
Sarah
This dish sounds amazing! I love gratin. Tomaotes and cauliflower sound wonderful with the spices.
Amanda
What a great way to add flavor to cauliflower!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Amanda. I love working with it - it goes so well with so many flavors!
Anne @ Webicurean
This sounds really good. I love cauliflower, yet for some reason, I don't cook it as often as I should. Hubby will like this one too, so definitely want to give it a try soon.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I came to cauliflower late in life, but once I found it I keep finding new ways to cook with it. Hope you give it a try!
Toni McLean
Hi Susan. I do not especially like cauliflower or tofu but thoroughly enjoyed this meal. And my partner loves cauliflower so a bonus fof him.
Susan Pridmore
That's fabulous! Thank you so much for letting me know how much you loved it. There are a lot of flavors going on in this casserole and this is literally the only way I can enjoy tofu, so I get it!!