A cylinder head is formed by positioning a clad preform including a first and second layer in a casting die cavity with the second layer in communication with the die cavity and the first layer facing outwardly to define a combustion surface. Molten material provided to the die cavity is solidified to form a cast portion metallurgically bonded to the second layer. An aperture of the preform forms a port in fluid communication with a passage of the cast portion. A plurality of dome-shaped preforms may define the combustion chambers of a cylinder head formed by the method. The preform may define a cylinder head face. The first layer may be a steel-based layer, and the second layer and cast portion may be aluminum-based, such that the first layer and combustion surface has higher thermal fatigue strength relative to the cast portion.