What Fish Goes with Cauliflower Cheese? (10 Types of Fish)

Knowing what goes well with cauliflower cheese can make all the difference when it comes to making this dish a success.

Cauliflower cheese is a delicious and comforting side dish, but it can be tricky to get right.

The key is to choose the right kind of fish to go with it.

I’m sharing 10 of the best kinds of fish to serve with cauliflower cheese, including salmon, cod, tuna, and more.

What Fish Goes with Cauliflower Cheese?

There are a few different types of fish that go well with cauliflower cheese. One option is to use a mild white fish, like cod or haddock. Another possibility is to use a more flavorful fish, like salmon or trout. If you want to add some extra protein to the dish, you could also add shrimp or scallops.

Whether you serve the fish next to your dish, or add it to the recipe itself, these 10 kinds of fish will perfectly complement your next cauliflower cheese.

When it comes to this classic British dish, there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing the right fish.

So, if you’re looking for some inspiration, try one of these 10:

1. Salmon

Salmon is a mild-flavored fish with a rich and somewhat oily taste that pairs well with cauliflower cheese.

It is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, grilling, smoking, and poaching.

When baking salmon, it is important to use an oil or cooking spray on the fish to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to help it cook evenly.

You can also wrap the fish in foil or parchment paper before baking to further prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

When grilling salmon, it is best to use a grill pan or basket so that the fish does not fall through the grate.

You will also want to oil the salmon or your grill pan/basket before cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Related post: What Meat Goes with Cauliflower Cheese

2. Cod

Cod has a very mild, milky flavor that pairs well with the sharpness of cheddar cheese.

It also has a dense, flaky texture that makes it ideal for baking, frying, or grilling.

• To bake cod, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the cod with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you like. Then, place it on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
• To fry cod, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cod as desired, then place it in the hot oil. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• To grill cod, season the fish as desired and then place it on a preheated grill over medium-high heat. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Speaking of herbs, click here to learn more about what herbs and spices go with cauliflower cheese.

3. Haddock

Haddock is a mild, slightly sweet tasting fish that pairs well with the creamy, cheesy sauce in cauliflower cheese.

It’s a versatile fish that can be baked, grilled, or fried, so you can prepare it however you like.

• If you’re baking it, simply season the haddock fillets with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, then bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.
• For grilling, you’ll want to marinate the haddock fillets in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes before putting them on the grill.
• And finally, for frying, coat the haddock fillets in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper before frying in hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side.

4. Trout

Trout is known for its mild flavor and a delicate texture, which makes it the perfect fish to pair with cauliflower cheese.

Here are three ways to prepare trout:

• Pan-fried trout: Season the trout fillets with salt and pepper, then coat them in flour. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the trout fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Oven-baked trout: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Season the trout fillets with salt and pepper, then coat them in flour. Place the fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
• Trout en papillote: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut two pieces of parchment paper into heart shapes (or any other shape you like). Place a trout fillet on each piece of parchment paper, then season with salt and pepper. Top with your choice of vegetables (such as thinly sliced leeks, mushrooms, or zucchini), then fold the parchment paper over the fillets to create a packet. Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.

5. Shrimp

Shrimp is a popular ingredient in many kinds of recipes, including cauliflower cheese.

There are many ways to prepare shrimp, but three of the most popular methods are grilling, sauteing, and boiling.

• To grill shrimp, start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. Then, season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Next, heat up your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Once the grill is hot, add the seasoned shrimp to the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and slightly charred around the edges.
• For sauteed shrimp, start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and slightly charred around the edges.
• To boil shrimp, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Then, add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are pink and slightly charred around the edges.

6. Scallops

When you’re feeling fancy, scallops are the way to go.

See Also: What Salad Goes With Scallops? 15 Best Salads

They pair especially well with cauliflower cheese, thanks to their delicate flavor.

You can pan-fry them, bake them, or even grill them.

Just be sure not to overcook them, as they can quickly become rubbery.

• For a quick and easy meal, try pan-frying the scallops. Season them with salt and pepper, then cook them in a bit of oil for a few minutes per side.
• You can also bake the scallops. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and season the scallops as desired. Then, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10 minutes.
• Lastly, you can grill the scallops. Season them and place them on a preheated grill for a few minutes per side.

Whichever method you choose, enjoy your delicious cauliflower cheese with some fresh scallops!

7. Tuna

Tuna typically has a delicate flavor that isn’t too harsh, making it a good choice for cauliflower cheese.

It also pairs well with other classic cheese sauce ingredients like onion, garlic, and mustard.

Here are three ways to prepare tuna for cauliflower cheese:

• Grilled: Season tuna steaks with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices. Grill for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. Remove from grill and chop into bite-sized pieces.
• Broiled: Preheat the broiler. Season tuna steaks with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices. Place on a baking sheet and broil for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. Remove from heat and chop into bite-sized pieces.
• Pan-Seared: Season tuna steaks with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot, add the tuna steaks and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. Remove from pan and chop into bite-sized pieces.

8. Halibut

Halibut is a lean fish, with a slightly sweet and mild flavor.

It’s a good choice for those who don’t like fishy-tasting fish.

It’s also a firm fish, which makes it great for grilling, baking, or pan-frying.

When pairing it with cauliflower cheese, I would recommend either grilling or baking the halibut.

The smokiness from the grill, or the crispy top from baking, would be a nice contrast to the creamy and rich cauliflower cheese.

• To grill halibut: Season the fish with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Grill the halibut for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
• To bake halibut: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the halibut with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Place the fish on a lightly oiled sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through.
• To pan-fry halibut: Season the halibut with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halibut and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.

9. Snapper

Snapper is moist and delicate, with a mild and slightly sweet flavor.

It pairs well with cauliflower cheese, as the subtle flavor of the fish won’t compete with the cheesy sauce.

Snapper can be baked, grilled, or fried.

• For baking, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the snapper fillets on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flaky.
• For grilling, heat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Grill the snapper fillets for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
• And for frying, heat 1/2 inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook the snapper fillets for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

10. Tilapia

Good-quality tilapia tastes mild and sweet, with a firm but tender texture.

It’s an excellent choice for people who are trying to eat more fish, since it doesn’t have a strong “fishy” flavor.

You can find tilapia fresh or frozen at most supermarkets.

When buying tilapia, look for fillets that are white or pale pink in color and have a fresh, sea-water smell.

Avoid tilapia that has a strong fishy odor or is gray in color, which are signs that the fish is starting to spoil.

If you can’t find fresh tilapia, frozen fillets are a good alternative.

There are many ways to prepare tilapia, but some of the most popular methods are baking, grilling, and frying.

Baking is a healthy way to cook tilapia because it doesn’t require any additional fat.

Simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the tilapia fillets for 10-12 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

You can also grill or fry tilapia, but these methods will add extra calories from the oil or butter that is used.

Tilapia is a versatile fish that goes well with a variety of flavors.

Try serving it with a simple lemon and herb sauce, or pair it with a fresh salsa or salad.

You can also stuff tilapia fillets with your favorite ingredients and bake them.