Gratins are very flexible. They make great side dishes, or main courses – with or without a salad. For me, including a side salad depends on whether the gratin is already filled with lots of vegetables, or if it is a potato and cheese gratin that needs a lighter companion.

Last October, I posted a creamy, rich, and highly-addictive Goat Brie, Shiitake, and Potato Gratin — there were certainly no diets in the works for that evening (and there definitely was a salad)! This week’s recipe, however, is for an equally flavorful but healthier gratin that combines cauliflower, tomato, and chèvre. Using fresh goat cheese as the dairy for this dish really brings down the fat content considerably. Nothing is lacking in the flavor and texture profiles!

I served this as a vegetarian main course for four people using individual gratin dishes. It can easily be made in a larger pan, as well but – you know me – I want it to look its best when I present it at the table. This dish comes together very quickly, and is really pretty and quite colorful.

I served it with a 2020 Château Margüi rosé, which made for a delightful pairing. I was really thrilled that the combination was so good. To read more about the wine, please visit the Provence WineZine.

~ David

Inspired by a recipe from The New York Times.

48 Comments

  1. Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food Strange Bedfellows - Provence WineZine

    July 2, 2022 at 4:11 am

    […] or side dish. It’s also a dish that just tastes of summer. It’s worth making; please visit Cocoa & Lavender for my Cauliflower, Tomato, and Chèvre Gratin […]

    Reply
    • Elena

      September 4, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      Made it 2 times already, both times a success! My favorite cauliflower recipe.
      Now I want to buy the individual dishes for it, with presentation it will be even better!
      Thank you so much for this idea!

      Reply
      • Cocoa & Lavender

        September 4, 2022 at 9:53 pm

        Thanks, Elena — I am so glad you love this recipe! And I love my individual gratin dishes. You can find some really nice ones out there!

        Reply
  2. Suzo

    July 2, 2022 at 6:47 am

    WOW looks / sounds SO good. I love anything with cauliflower. Once we have a kitchen and all of our supplies again, I’m going to make this one!!!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:30 am

      Thanks, Suzo! I’m now starting to think of variations — so many possibilities! Any news in a house?

      Reply
  3. Gerlinde

    July 2, 2022 at 7:32 am

    A healthy tasty dish, thanks David. I love goat cheese.

    Reply
    • David Scott Allen

      July 15, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      Hi Gerlinde — sorry I missed your comment! Goat cheeses are my favorites!

      Reply
  4. Cathy Hackert

    July 2, 2022 at 8:12 am

    Can I substitute for goat cheese? What would you recommend? I really don’t like goat cheeses at all.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:32 am

      Hi. Cathy — yes, there are several options for you: ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and cream cheese co,e to mind first. But any variety if melting cheese — probably grated — would work. Let me know what you use and how it works!

      Reply
  5. John / Kitchen Riffs

    July 2, 2022 at 8:33 am

    One can’t have too many gratin recipes! This looks good, and is exactly the sort of dish I like to make. So I need to make this! We do have some individual gratin dishes (they’re so useful for other things, too), so I think I’ll make this in those. Really nice — thanks.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:33 am

      Thanks, John — I know presentation is big for you, too, so the individual gratin dishes are perfect for this.

      Reply
  6. Marcelle

    July 2, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    Delicious!! I’ve just printed this one out, David… coming to my kitchen soon! 😍

    Reply
  7. Eha

    July 2, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    How delightful ! Love cauliflower and this is such a simple and delightful way to serve it to a few friends for lunch – in a pretty individual dish and with salad !! Or if some beautiful lamb cutlets tempt . . . may leave the salad but go hunt for an interesting bottle of wine “:) !!!

    Reply
  8. Susan Manfull

    July 2, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    We just made it. In a word: Phenomenal! And the wine, Château Margüi Rosé (2020), is a seamless partner! We can’t wait to serve the dish and wine to guests!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:35 am

      I’m so glad you liked it, Susan — such beautifully simple food can sometimes be the best. And the wine pairing? Really lucky with that one!

      Reply
  9. Ronit

    July 2, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    I’m a big fan of gratin, but don’t recall one that has tomato sauce included. Looking at how tasty this one looks, I’m wondering why!
    Will have to fix this soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:36 am

      Thanks, Ronit — I have a couple of gratins with tomatoe sauce — I guess it depends on the veggies. I hope you like this!

      Reply
  10. John

    July 3, 2022 at 2:34 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever had a dish where cauliflower and goat cheese unite. This I like the sound of, David! Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:38 am

      The combination of cauliflower and goat cheese is really wonderful, John. I have another casserole that uses it and the creaminess really works well.

      Reply
  11. Judee

    July 3, 2022 at 4:09 am

    Cauliflower is so versatile and looks delicious in this wonderful au gratin. I think it would make a perfect vegetarian lunch with soup or salad. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:46 am

      Thanks, Judee. It’s definitely perfect as a main course, and I think a salad on the side is very nice. Thanks for your kind note!

      Reply
  12. Valentina

    July 3, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    Sounds dreamy, David. Rich and creamy while still on the healthier side. And I love your wooden mortar and pestle! Beautiful. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 4, 2022 at 5:48 am

      Thanks, Valentina! I never once felt that I was missing anything by using lower fat ingredients. By the way, the mortar and pestle are from a reader in Canada.

      Reply
      • Valentina

        July 15, 2022 at 7:50 pm

        How cool is that!? Love that you connect with so many people through your food. 🙂

        Reply
  13. Melissa

    July 4, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    I just printed out the recipe. I’m going to make it for dinner tonight.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 5, 2022 at 7:28 am

      Missy — I hope you and Scott liked it! It’s simple, yet something about it truly grabs me.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        July 9, 2022 at 7:45 am

        We did! We had it as a main course the first night and the leftovers made an excellent side dish the following night.

        Reply
        • Cocoa & Lavender

          July 9, 2022 at 9:50 am

          That is exactly what we did with it, too. It will be a regular in our house!

          Reply
  14. Raymund

    July 5, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    Always loved a nice cheesy gratin! Like you said theyre very flexible, can throw any meats to enjoy it with

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 6, 2022 at 9:40 am

      Thanks Raymund – I keep thinking of all the things I could add to this. Black olives keep coming to the foreground!

      Reply
  15. Chef Mimi

    July 6, 2022 at 5:12 am

    I do love me a gratin. I made a post once on how you can just make them on the fly. Just about anything goes. But I do love a bit of cheese to hold everything together, if necessary, or just for some great flavor and creaminess. Love your recipe.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 6, 2022 at 9:41 am

      You are so right, Mimi – it’s like a frittata: the perfect way to clean out the refrigerator!

      Reply
  16. 2pots2cook

    July 8, 2022 at 12:34 am

    Humble cauliflower is such a great vegetable to work with! Love your choice of ingredients!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 9, 2022 at 9:47 am

      Thanks, Davorka – I love how this humble ugly duckling of an ingredient becomes a beautiful swan in this dish!

      Reply
  17. sherry M

    July 8, 2022 at 1:48 am

    yep who doesn’t love a gratin? but no tomatoes please 🙂

    Reply
  18. Kelly | Foodtasia

    July 9, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    David, I’m still dreaming of your eggplant gratin that was so wonderful, and now this! It looks irresistible! I think I’ve been making more recipes of yours lately than my own!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 9, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Well, I am completely honored and humbled, Kelly! Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Jeff the Chef

    July 10, 2022 at 5:17 am

    Man! Could I move in next door and come over for dinner every night? This is just so lovely. I love cauliflower in any context, and goat cheese makes anything better as far as I’m concerned.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 13, 2022 at 9:00 am

      It would be fun if you lived closer – but I am sure neither of us would lose any weight! And you are right, Jeff, goat cheese makes everything better.

      Reply
  20. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

    July 12, 2022 at 8:58 am

    I love gratins! Whether it is already filled with lots of vegetables or not, we always treat it as the main course. No salad is required. Even if it’s loaded with potatoes and cheese (My husband would disagree on “spoiling” his perfectly fine potato gratin with greens lol.) Anyway, loving all the flavours and textures here, especially the addition of chèvre.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 13, 2022 at 9:06 am

      We usually try to get something green in there, Ben – but we always have salad after, as a separate course. Maybe that helps!

      Reply
  21. Christina Conte

    July 20, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    I just did a cauliflower and gorgonzola gratin the other day, but my photos didn’t look nearly as nice as yours! YUM!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2022 at 7:53 am

      I have to say, dishes with Gorgonzola are tough to photograph! But your cauliflower dish sounds fabulous!

      Reply
  22. Pauline

    July 22, 2022 at 7:20 pm

    I love a good gratin and goats cheese, and your healthy twist on a favourite is a winner. I also love those gratin dishes, I must look for some of those when I am in a shopping mood. Beautiful post, thanks David.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2022 at 7:42 am

      Thanks so much. Pauline — I’m glad you like the recipe. Those gratin dishes were a gift from a friend — but I know she got that at a store called Cost Plus World Market. I, sad to say the chain doesn’t extend to Australia. But I know you will be able to find some gratin dishes love!

      Reply

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