- 1 large head cauliflower
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 4 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into cubes, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced, divided
- 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Cut cauliflower florets from the stems. Separate florets into their smallest subsections. Slice and halve stems into small pieces.
- Whisk half-and-half, 3 teaspoons black pepper, garlic powder, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Scatter 1/3 of the butter cubes and 1/3 of the garlic slices on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 1/2 of the cauliflower on top. Scatter another 1/3 of the butter cubes and garlic slices on top. Cover with 1 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and 1/2 of the half-and-half mixture. Repeat layering remaining butter cubes, garlic slices, cauliflower, and Cheddar cheese. Pour in remaining half-and-half mixture.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon of black pepper on top of the baking dish. Arrange the mozzarella cheese slices across the top, covering the layers underneath.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle Romano cheese and paprika on top.
- Return to the oven and continue baking until cheese crust is golden-brown, about 15 minutes.