What to Serve with Cauliflower Gratin? (13 Easy Sides)

Cauliflower gratin is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion.

It is made with cauliflower, cheese, and a creamy sauce, and then baked until golden brown and bubbly.

This dish is so rich and flavorful, and it pairs well with so many different dishes.

So if you are wondering what to serve with cauliflower gratin, then you have come to the right place.

I’m sharing 13 of my favorite side dishes to serve alongside this dish, including roasted vegetables, salads, pasta dishes, breads, and more.

What to Serve with Cauliflower Gratin?

Cauliflower gratin pairs well with roasted or grilled meats, such as chicken, pork, or beef. It also goes well with other cooked vegetables, such as green beans or carrots. For a more filling meal, you can serve cauliflower gratin with rice or pasta.

Whether you’re serving cauliflower gratin as a vegetarian option or pairing it with grilled chicken or fish, there are a number of delicious sides that will complement the flavors of your gratin.

Here are 13 sides to serve with cauliflower gratin:

1. Roasted Vegetables

As you know, veggies are a healthy way to bulk up any meal.

And when it comes to side dishes, roasted vegetables are always a good idea.

Not only are they delicious, but they’re also easy to make.

Plus, they go with just about anything.

So, if you’re looking for a side dish to serve with your cauliflower gratin, roasted vegetables are the way to go.

And if you want to get creative with them, here are a few ideas:

• Add some spice with a sprinkle of cumin or chili powder.
• Give them a Mediterranean twist with a drizzle of olive oil and some chopped fresh herbs like oregano or thyme.
• Or keep it simple and just toss them with a little salt and pepper.

2. Farro Salad

Craving some healthy carbs to go with your cauliflower gratin?

Try serving it with a farro salad!

Farro is an ancient grain that’s high in fiber and protein, making it a filling and satisfying side dish.

This particular salad recipe is enhanced with the addition of roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

It’s the perfect way to round out a meal and can be made ahead of time, making it even easier on you when dinner time rolls around.

3. Italian Pasta Salad

Italians just know how to do pasta right.

And this pasta salad is the perfect example.

It’s a simple dish of pasta, vegetables, and dressing, but the flavors come together so well.

The key to a good pasta salad is to use a good quality olive oil and vinegar, and to not overcook the pasta.

I like to use a mixture of cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red onion in my salad, but you can really use any combination of vegetables that you like.

If you want to add some protein to the dish, grilled chicken or shrimp would be a great addition.

And for a little bit of crunch, I like to top it with some chopped-up bacon or pancetta.

4. Garlic Bread

Nothing is as simple as it seems, and that goes for garlic bread, too.

Sure, a few slices of bread with some garlic and butter slapped on top might suffice in a pinch, but if you want to do it right, there are a few things you should know.

• First, the quality of your bread is important. Opt for a crusty baguette or sourdough loaf over softer sandwich bread.
• Second, use plenty of garlic. A good rule of thumb is one clove per slice of bread.
• And third, don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors. Try adding herbs like thyme or oregano, or even grated cheese like Parmesan or Gruyere.

5. Mexican Rice

If you like Mexican food, then you’ll love this side dish.

It’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients.

First, you’ll need some white rice.

I like to use basmati because it’s light and fluffy, but you can use whatever kind you have on hand.

Next, you’ll need some diced tomatoes.

I like to use the ones that are already seasoned with green chilies and garlic, but you can use regular diced tomatoes if you prefer.

Finally, you’ll need some cilantro.

This is optional, but I think it really enhances the flavor of the dish.

Simply cook the rice according to the package directions.

Then, stir in the diced tomatoes and cilantro.

That’s it!

6. Quinoa Salad

Sometimes, you just need a light and healthy side dish to balance out a heavier main course.

This quinoa salad is the perfect accompaniment to cauliflower gratin.

It’s packed with fresh vegetables and herbs, and the dressing is light and lemony.

And, it can be made ahead of time, which is always a bonus.

If you want to add a little bit of extra flavor to the salad, try roasting the quinoa before cooking it.

Just toss it with a little bit of olive oil and sea salt, and roast in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes.

7. Couscous Salad

I know, I know. Another salad? But I promise, this one is different.

It’s bright and flavorful, thanks to the addition of roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.

And it’s a perfect side dish to cauliflower gratin because it cuts through the richness of the dish with its acidity and freshness.

Plus, it can be made ahead of time, which is always a bonus.

1. To make the couscous salad, simply cook the couscous according to package instructions.
2. Then add in the roasted red peppers, olives, feta, and dressing of your choice.

I like to use a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.

8. Creamy Polenta

Anything that’s creamy is always welcome on my plate, which is why I love serving polenta as a side dish with cauliflower gratin.

Not only does it help to offset the richness of the gratin, but it’s also a great vessel for sopping up all that delicious sauce.

And, there are endless ways to flavor polenta, so it never gets boring.

My go-to method is to cook the polenta in chicken or vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavor.

And then, just before serving, I stir in some shredded cheese and freshly chopped parsley.

But you could also stir in some roasted garlic, sauteed mushrooms, or even crumbled bacon.

9. Mashed Potatoes

There are hundreds of ways to make mashed potatoes, but my personal favorite is with cauliflower gratin.

1. I start by boiling the potatoes until they’re nice and soft, then I add in some cooked cauliflower, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. I mash it all up together until it’s smooth, then I put it in a baking dish, top it with cheese and bread crumbs, and bake it until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

The result is a rich and creamy side dish that’s packed with flavor.

If you want to get really creative, you can add in other vegetables like carrots or peas, or even some bacon or sausage.

10. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Why not add some beautiful color to your gratin with some roasted sweet potatoes on the side?

Not only will it make your meal prettier, but sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins!

To roast sweet potatoes, simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut the sweet potatoes into even-sized pieces – about 1-inch cubes – and toss them with olive oil and salt.

Spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re fork-tender and lightly browned.

If you want to get really creative, you can toss the roasted sweet potatoes with some fresh herbs before serving.

Rosemary, thyme, and sage would all be great choices!

11. Corn Salad

Corn is an American classic and goes with just about everything, but it’s especially delicious with cauliflower gratin.

The sweetness of the corn pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy sauce in the gratin.

Plus, it adds a pop of color to the dish.

To make a simple corn salad, mix together:

• 1 can of corn, drained
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Feel free to get creative with your corn salad and add in other ingredients like black beans, diced avocado, or chopped cilantro.

12. Garlic Roasted Green Beans

Garlic is like a superhero of flavor.

It can make just about anything taste better, and roasted green beans are no exception.

These garlic-roasted green beans are the perfect side dish to any meal, but especially cauliflower gratin.

The green beans are first blanched in boiling water for two minutes, then shocked in ice water to stop the cooking process.

This helps them to retain their bright green color.

Then, they’re tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before being roasted in a hot oven until tender and slightly charred.

The result is a side dish that is healthy, flavorful, and downright addictive.

13. Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

If you want something sweet to go with your savory cauliflower gratin, these maple brown sugar glazed carrots are the perfect side dish.

They’re easy to make and only require a few ingredients: carrots, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup.

You can also add a pinch of salt, pepper, and thyme to the glaze if you want.

1. To make them, simply melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Then add the carrots and cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
3. Next, add the brown sugar and maple syrup and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the carrots are glazed.
4. Serve them alongside the cauliflower gratin and enjoy.

What Meat to Serve with Cauliflower Gratin?

Cauliflower gratin pairs well with many different types of meat, including chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. If you are looking for a lighter option, you can also pair it with fish or shellfish.