2 small heads cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tbsp. butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 c. whole milk
1 1/2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 c. Sliced scallions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch cauliflower, 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze cauliflower of water.
Step 2: Make cheese sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add flour and stir until golden, 2 minutes. Add milk and bring to a low simmer and add cream cheese, whisking until combined. Stir in 1 cup cheddar until melted and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: In a casserole dish, add drained cauliflower. Pour over cheese sauce and stir until combined. Stir in all but 1 tablespoon each cooked bacon and scallions until combined, then top with remaining Cheddar, bacon, and scallions.
Step 4: Bake until cauliflower is tender and cheese is bubbly and thickened, 30 minutes.