I love cauliflower. It’s a beautiful and humble vegetable. But I’m not one to replace things that are already good with cauliflower — I believe it shines brightly on its own and should be celebrated as the star of a dish, not as a low-calorie substitute. What I mean is: I’ll always choose cauliflower with rice over cauliflower rice.
There are some cases, however, where a replacement that happens to be low-calorie is just as good as the original. Take kugel — a classic winter warmer that feels like a cozy hug from grandma. But if it’s not your grandma making it for you, insisting you eat it because you look too thin, it can be rather guilt inducing. That’s why I’m making an exception for cauliflower kugel — not because I’m against potato or noodle kugel, but because cauliflower kugel stands on its own as a really delicious, lighter option that doesn’t compromise on comfort or flavor.
Notes:
- If you’d prefer a “lighter” kugel, opt for 1/3 cup oil + 2 Tbsp; the original recipe calls for 2/3 cup oil + 2 Tbsp.
- You can store this kugel in the refrigerator and reheat for up to 4 days.
This Cauliflower Kugel Might Be Better Than Noodle Kugel
Cauliflower kugel stands on its own as a really delicious, lighter option that doesn’t compromise on comfort or flavor.
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 large white onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium cauliflower (approx. 750-850g)
- 5 large eggs
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp paprika
- ⅓–⅔ cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 410°F.
- Remove any tough, blemished outer leaves from the cauliflower and discard. Cut off the tough, round stem at the bottom of the cauliflower and discard. You can keep the softer, smaller leaves for the kugel. Wash the cauliflower well in a bowl of warm water 3-4 times to remove any unwanted dirt. Dry well.
- Slice the entire cauliflower very thinly (approx ¼ inch). Most of it should crumble into small pieces, but you should have some beautiful thin slices of cauliflower that have held their shape, too. Reserve a few slices for the top of the kugel.
- Combine the onion and crumbled cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Mix the eggs and ⅔ cup olive oil along with the black pepper, sea salt and paprika in another small mixing bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the cauliflower mixture and mix well, so the cauliflower mixture is thoroughly coated in the liquid. Mix in the reserved smaller cauliflower leaves.
- Transfer to a 7×10-inch baking dish. Nestle the reserved thin slices of cauliflower on top. Drizzle with the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 410°F or until golden. Then cover the dish tightly with aluminium foil and lower the temperature to 320°F. Bake for another hour and 10 minutes.
Notes
- Store in the refrigerator and reheat for up to 4 days.
- If you’d prefer a “lighter” kugel, opt for 1/3 cup oil + 2 Tbsp; the original recipe calls for 2/3 cup oil + 2 Tbsp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Ashkenazi
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Can it be frozen
Will definately try this recipe. Thinking ahead for Rosh Hashona so I want to know if I can freeze it. Thank you.
Yes, it can likely be frozen. Just make sure it cools completely before freezing.
I made this last year & Everyone LOVED it!
Interesting temperatures, oven 410° and 320°. I wonder how many people have ovens with those setting. I know I can guesstimate it on mine. Also the size pan
7”x10” is unusual and I guess I can guesstimate on that too.
The recipe sounds interesting and I may give it a try.
YUMMY!! Not difficult to prepare. Be careful
with the amount of salt. Especially if you are on a salt free diet. I’ve made it without salt and it was delicious 😋. Instead of onion, I used “everything but the bagel” seasoning, which I believe has salt in it.
Do normal ovens now have 410 and 320 degree settings? Or is the result of trnaslating the recipe from degrees Celsius?
This recipe was created by a British recipe developer. You can switch to 400 and 325 if thats easier.
I regularly take kugel to my church for coffee hour (favourites are the standards – noodle, or potato), and yes, I am obviously not Jewish. But I love Jewish culture, intellectual and Biblical traditions and heritage, and the food is like a bountiful bonus. This sounds fabulous, and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
This looks yummy, as many of your recipes are.
Can frozen/thawed cauliflower be used? At what proportion?
Thanks much,
Yes, it probably can but you want to make sure to drain any excess water. Since we have never made this recipe with frozen cauliflower, we cannot say for sure the proportions. If you try it, please let us know.
Can I use precut florets? How much would I need? I understand I will have no beautiful slices, but sometimes it’s a necessity. Thank you
Yes, you can, but since we have never made the recipe this way, we cannot be sure about how much. If you try it this way, please let us know how it turns out.
This recipe looks great
Can I freeze it ?
Thanks
I don’t have the baking temperatures you mention 410 and 320. Is this for an normal oven or air fryer?
This recipe was created by a British recipe developer. You can switch to 400 and 325 if thats easier.
can you use frozen cauliflower? Does this freeze well?
We have never tried this with frozen cauliflower but its worth a try, as long as it is drained of an excess water. Yes, this can be frozen, just make sure it cools completely.
The recipe is great with a few modifications. First, there is no need for 2/3 cup oil. 1/3, possibly even 1/4, will do. With 2/3 cup I had to drain the dish with about 10 minutes left. I also suggest cutting the salt to 1 tsp. But the taste is as cozy as chicken soup!
Thank you for this one! I’m itching to try it and I just know it’s going to be delicious.
This is indeed delicious. Lucky me, I had a pristine cauliflower that did not require rinsing. I wholeheartedly agree with Valerie G.–cut the oil by at least half and reduce the salt to 1 tsp.
Wish I would have read above comment regarding way too much oil. Definitely cut back to 1/4 cup. Also less salt. Depending on the size of your cauliflower you might need 2. Also if you have medium size eggs you need to add an extra 2.
This just came out of the oven. The kitchen smells divine! I was in a grocery store yesterday and spotted a huge cauliflower! I grabbed it and wondered what I was going to make with this. VOILA! I got your email and dug in. So easy to put together! Now, to find another for Rosh Hashanah!
can one use frozen rice cauliflower?
We have never tried it this way, but I think it would probably work. If you do it, let us know how it turns out!
Very light and very delicious. Definitely cut the oil to 1/4!
can this be frozen and reheated?
Yes, it can likely be frozen. Just make sure it cools completely before freezing.
Can i somehow modify this to fit a 9 x13 dish. I do not own a 7x 10 but also i am havi g a karge crowd and would need at least a 9x 13
You could try doubling the recipe. Enjoy!
Has anyone ever served and eaten this at room temperature? I will not have an opportunity to reheat (bringing to a friends’s seder).
Thanks!
I used purple cauliflower and it’s beautiful! I also layered in some very thinly sliced discs of two smallish red potatoes, and garnished with roughly chopped flat-leaf parseley and fresh chives from my garden.
It feels a little oily. How can I fix it?
This was surprisingly good. I reduced the oil by 30% and was happy that I did that. It came out nicely browned although I had to do 30 minutes at 410 followed by 1 hour at 320 to get the right color. I might try it with smoked paprika the next time.
I made this 3 days in advance & refrigerated it. The kugel tasted delicious, but totally flattened
I would like to reduce the cooking time. Is there a way to change the cook setting and cook for less time? 20 minutes at one temp then an hour and 10 minutes at a lower temperature. I’m looking for a maybe 1/2 max cooking time
Can anyone help
Fantastiskt gott 😋 Alla tyckte om den ø
I made this with the recommended adjustments plus a sprinkle of garlic powder. Delicious!
Just made the cauliflower kugel & it is out of the world delicious! Thanks.
Cant thank you enough I used a big bag of frozen cauliflower WoW WoW put it in my food processor ,drained out with a towel I added Wheat germ My husband 90 Bh Just eat it up Cant believe it . It was so yummy I used avocado oil for the oil Thank you so so much xsxs
I’m making this fabulous kugel again and this time taking it to church on Easter Sunday for breakfast immediately after the service. This is a yummer! I’m not Jewish but I have made many recipes from the Nosher and can not name one I did not love.