Loaded Cauliflower Bake

2 small heads cauliflower, cut into florets

    (it says to blanche for 3 minutes to take less time when baking, but some comments said they didn't blanche, just cooked longer, about 50 minutes.  I like this idea.)  

     NOTE:  Laura used 2 bags of frozen cauliflower, zapped in microwave for a few minutes, then drained well.  I think I'd use 3 bags....

2 T. butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 T all-purpose flour

2 c. whole milk

     (another comment is that they used cream instead of milk and no flour)

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar, divided

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/4 c. sliced green onions

Preheat oven to 350.  Blanch cauliflower for 3 min. in boiling water, drain and squeeze out water.

Make cheese sauce:  IN a large skillet, melt butter.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minutes, then add flour and stir until golden, 2 minutes.  Add milk and bring to a low simmer, then add cream cheese, whisking until combined.  Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar until melted.  Season with salt and pepper.

In a 9 x 13 dish, add drained cauliflower.  Pour over cheese sauce and stir until combined.  Stir in all but 1 T. each cooked bacon and green onions until combined, then top with remaining cheddar, bacon, and green ionions.

Bake until cauliflower is tender and cheese is melty, 30 minutes.

from Delish.com and first made by Laura.  YUM!