This Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower takes minutes to prep and makes super tasty side dish. It is simple to make, gluten free, and goes with just about anything. In addition to making a great side, you can use it as a hearty filling for a meatless meal.
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower – The EASY Way!
Cauliflower truly is a super food! You can prepare it in almost any way- it can be roasted, steamed, baked, or grilled. With just a little prep, it s the ultimate vegetable for a variety of dishes.
This particular take is inspired by parmesan cauliflower we had a restaurant. It was this warm and comforting appetizer that had garlic and parmesan but was cauliflower so it was… healthy?? One bite and I knew I needed to make this dish at home.
What resulted, is a very simple to make side dish or appetizer that can be served warm or cold It is incredibly versatile and is tasty with dinner, in pasta or on a salad. It is my families favorite way to have cauliflower!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Versatile – With flavors of parmesan and garlic, this roasted cauliflower goes with just about anything. It also can be served hot or cold making it even more versatile.
- Fan Favorite – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love crunchy roasted vegetables tossed in cheese and tasty spices!
- Quick – This roasted cauliflower recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and can be baked while you finish the rest of dinner. Yay for multi-tasking!
- Side or main– use this as a side dish, and use the leftovers to make a hearty meatless meal such as a wrap, salad, or pasta.
What to Serve with Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan
Since this dish has such beloved flavors, it will pair well with many of your favorite classic side dishes. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Main Dish Pairings
- Honey Sriracha Meatballs
- Grilled Chicken
- Garlic Butter Steak
- Crockpot Creamy BBQ Chicken
- Crock Pot Pulled Ranch Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
- Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
Recipe Notes
This oven roasted cauliflower recipe is as simple as promised! Just 25 minutes for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make roasted cauliflower and get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Cauliflower – You can use pre-chopped cauliflower that comes in a bag to save time, or you can get a head of cauliflower and cut it up into smaller florets. Buying a head of cauliflower will likely be cheaper, but require a little more effort.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutrally flavored oil will work for roasting cauliflower.
- Garlic – Fresh-pressed garlic will produce the most flavor but jarred garlic that is already pressed or minced will work too.
- Parmesan – Parmesan has a higher melting point than other Italian cheeses and therefore creates a slight crust over the cauliflower, enhancing the crunch! I highly recommend grating your own parmesan for this recipe. It will also be cheaper to grate your own rather than buy a container of shredded or grated parmesan.
- Salt and Pepper
- Parsley – I like to garnish with parsley or another fresh herb, but that is totally optional.
Recipe Tips
- Keep the florets the same size – By ensuring that each floret is bite size and close to the same size as each other, they will all cook at the same pace. This helps to make sure everything is cooked through and cooked evenly. If they are different sizes, how long to roast the cauliflower will vary.
- Make sure oven is hot – The oven should be fully preheated prior to putting the cauliflower in it. This helps to make sure the edges get crispy and caramelized.
- Use a bag in place of a bowl – For less dishes, you can toss the cauliflower and other ingredients in a gallon plastic bag and shake to coat.
- Broil – If you are wondering how to roast cauliflower for a crunchy texture – this is how! I always broil the parmesan roasted cauliflower at the end of the cook time for an extra crispy exterior.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Mix it up early – You can mix the cauliflower, oil, spices, and cheese up to 2 days in advance. I will often mix it up in a large plastic bag and leave in the fridge until ready to make dinner. Then, I just pour it out onto a pan and bake.
- Use pre-chopped cauliflower – Just like you can find broccoli chopped up in a bag, you can find cauliflower already chopped up. This may be a bit more expensive, but it saves lots of time and some dishes.
Recipe Variations
If you love this cauliflower roasted with parmesan as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower – This is a super easy swap! Simply use part broccoli and part cauliflower when making this recipe!
- Pesto Roasted Cauliflower – I love to use pesto as an easy way to flavor vegetables. You can toss the cauliflower in store bought pesto or homemade pesto and then bake as directed.
Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making the best roasted cauliflower, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Parmesan Cauliflower Cesar Wraps – I love to have this for lunch the next day! Simply mix cold cauliflower with crisp lettuce and Cesar dressing. Roll it up in a large tortilla and enjoy as a super delicious and easy vegetarian lunch!
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad – Another great way to use these leftovers. You can top your favorite salad (I love it with this kale salad!) with leftover roasted cauliflower that has been heated up again. The best way to reheat this is in the oven or a toaster oven to make sure the crisp is preserved.
- Roasted Cauliflower Pasta – Prepare pasta per the package directions, then whip up a batch of this cheater alfredo sauce and toss it all together for a really drool-worthy meal.
More Easy Side Dishes Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my side dish recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic Butter
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and ground black pepper , to taste
Garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425˚F.
- Place the cauliflower in a large bowl, or gallon sized zip top bag. Add the olive oil, garlic, parmesan, salt and pepper and stir (or shake) to coat.
- Spread the cauliflower out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, then turn to broil and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the edges of the cauliflower start to brown.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm, or cold!
Leave a Reply