Roasted Cauliflower and Cheddar Dip
Posted: 06/17/2015
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This roasted cauliflower and cheddar dip is unbelievably creamy and flavorful – blending the cauliflower into a silky dip helps greatly reduce the calories in this dip.
Every time I write a post about dip I think of the song “when I dip, you dip, we dip.”
It’s really quite annoying and I wish I could make it stop. As soon as I hear or see the word “dip,” the song starts playing in my head.
But here’s the thing – I’m so lame (yes, SO LAME), that I had to do a Google search to find out who the artist was. And I’m afraid if I type the name of the group in this post, Google will flag me for questionable content and ban me forever from search engines. Which is basically a blogger’s worst nightmare. I’d turn in my whisk and mixer and call it quits if that happened.
I can’t even bring myself to link to the song/lyrics/YouTube video. This is a family-friendly site after all! I can’t do it. And do yourself a favor and don’t google it or read the lyrics. Now I’m even more annoyed that I get that song stuck in my head when I type the letters D-I-P.
I think it’s time to move on. Definitely time to move on.
To dip.
This dip. Which is actually very wholesome. Unlike that song (yeesh!).
This wholesome dip starts with lots of cauliflower – an entire head of it. I roasted the cauliflower to give the dip an extra dimension of flavor. If you’re scratching your head about the roasting – here’s how to roast cauliflower. Your life will never be the same.
While the cauliflower roasts, you can concoct a quick white sauce – a little butter, flour and milk is all it takes.
Once the cauliflower is nice and brown and crispy, I purée all of it except a few pieces which I use for garnish. A few garnishes on this dip are a good idea since the color is a bit boring.
You’ll add a bit of your sauce to the cauliflower to help the blender along. All that’s left to do after it’s blended smooth is stir it into the remaining sauce and then add cheddar. I used the sharpest white cheddar I could find to give a punch of great flavor without having to add too many calories. If you taste it and feel like it needs more cheese, feel free to add it! More cheese is always a good decision, especially extra sharp white cheddar.
Plus, it’s Dairy Month, so it’s only right to add more cheese.
Serve the cauliflower and cheddar dip warm with bread, crackers or vegetables. Enjoy!
Looking for more great dips like this one?
- Hot caprese dip
- Broccoli and bacon beer cheese dip
- Healthy queso dip with butternut squash
- White queso in the slow cooker
- Cheddar stout fondue from Milk Means More
- Jalapeno yogurt dip also from Milk Means More
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
This roasted cauliflower and cheddar dip is unbelievably creamy and flavorful – blending the cauliflower into a silky dip helps greatly reduce the calories in this dip.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower (roughly 6 heaping cups), [roasted]
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (I use skim)
- 1 cup grated extra sharp cheddar
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional: chives for garnishing
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and continue to cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk.
- Continue whisking over medium heat until thickened slightly.
- When the cauliflower is roasted, add it to a blender with 1/2 cup of the white sauce and puree until smooth. Stir this into the rest of the white sauce until combined. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm.
Notes
If you don’t want to turn your oven on to roast the cauliflower, you could alternatively steam it. However, make sure to thoroughly drain the steamed cauliflower to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1/4 cup, Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 175mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Husband’s take: He liked it! I think he would have preferred more cheddar and less cauliflower but I love the easily identifiable cauliflower flavor in this dip.
Changes I would make: None are necessary!
Difficulty: Easy!
**Disclosure: I am thrilled to be a dairy ambassador for Milk Means More. I have been compensated by Milk Means More for my time. All opinions are as always, my own. Find out more about why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
denise says
simple and tasty!
Maureen says
I love cauliflowers! Your dip is so creamy! So who’s ready for some appetizer? I know I am! It looks really delicious. Now, let’s sing the song “when I dip, you dip, we dip.” :)
Malinda@Countryside Cravings says
That is definitely one of those songs that gets stuck in a person’s head! I love this dip and how you used cauliflower to make it healthier!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I love that this is so much healthier than a regular dip but sounds and looks just as good. Such a great idea to use the cauliflower!
Melanie @ Carmel Momentsm says
That looks incredible! I’m all for appetizers.
I could live with just them for dinner. Who wants to join me for an all appetizer meal? :-)
Sues says
Haha I always sing that song when I make dip, too! So funny. I love a good cauliflower cheddar soup, but have never thought about having it in dip form. I love the idea!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I LOVEEEE blending cauliflower into dips to make it ULTRA smooth and creamy, but not so hard on my almost-bikini-season waistline!
I want to dip my whole face into this all. day. long!
P.s Now that song is stuck in MY head. Pinned!