Can I do this with Cauliflower Cheese?

[EmeraldPebble]

Make ahead! Probably the day before for extra freshness. Planning on roasting the cauliflower rather than boiling.

Can I roast the cauliflower, make the sauce, combine and top with cheese but put the dish in the fridge covered in foil? Thinking day before, and then I’ll take it out and actually bake it on Xmas Day?

Yes, I often do this, it’s fine

Yes. Best to take it out the fridge for an hour before baking. I tend to add cheese and breadcrumb topping just before popping in the oven.

Yes, pop in fridge once it is cold.

Yes of course. I would do the final topping of cheese/breadcrumbs on the day though. Just before it goes in the oven.

I always prep EVERYTHING on Christmas Eve, makes Christmas Day so stress free! X

Thanks so much everyone, and I’ll be sure to add the cheese on the day (and let it all come up to room temp a bit)! Make Ahead Christmas should be its own thread!

Freeze it if you have space, I have a couple of broccoli cheeses in the freezer

Do remember, that if you roast cauli like I do, it will be quite brown, some people find that offputting, not me of course.

Ah I wish! It’s full of veggie scraps and homemade pizza dough, sauce etc - not planning on roasting for too long but it’s just me and my 15mo eating it anyway! Thank you ☺️

Yes same here, the amount of things just 'popped in the freezer' means theres no space for actual food or meals!!

It will be fine in the fridge, think about how long you would keep a ready meal cauliflower cheese in the fridge from when you buy it.

Yes, sure. I personally never pre-cook my cauliflower though. Just chop and throw it in raw.

I'd prefer to roast the cauliflower and make the sauce, but keep them separate until just before cooking. That way you can add a but more milk to the sauce if needed. It can go claggy if assembled too far in advance.

My reckoning is that if you can buy it chilled or frozen then, yes, you absolutely can. How else do the supermarkets do it?!

It'll be fine.

What time shall I come round?! 😆