Step 1

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, then add 1 large cauliflower, broken into pieces, and cook for 5 mins – lift out a piece to test, it should be cooked.

Step 2

Drain the cauliflower, then tip into an ovenproof dish. Heat oven to 220C/200C/gas 7.

Step 3

Put the saucepan back on the heat and add 500ml milk, 4 tbsp flour and 50g butter.

Step 4

Keep whisking fast as the butter melts and the mixture comes to the boil – the flour will disappear and the sauce will begin to thicken. Whisk for 2 mins while the sauce bubbles and becomes nice and thick.

Step 5

Turn off the heat, stir in most of the 100g grated cheddar cheese and pour over the cauliflower. Scatter over the remaining cheese, and 2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs if using.

Step 6

Put in the oven and bake for 20 mins until bubbling.