Oven-Roasted Cauliflower

Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

My entire life I have loved cauliflower’s greener cousin, broccoli.

When I was younger my mom would steam it and then cover it in Cheez Whiz.

As I got older I started roasting it in the oven and serving it with just a bit of salt, pepper, and butter.

But for some reason I never thought to do the same with cauliflower?… Until recently!

Little did I know how wonderful of a canvas cauliflower is to so many different seasoning options.

You can serve it up as curried cauliflower and put it on top of a chopped kale salad...

Toss it in some taco seasoning and serve it as a vegan taco…

Or mix it with a bit of Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning for a delicious healthy side dish!

Seriously, the options are endless! This recipe is a great way to get good-for-you and flavorful food on the dinner table, so let’s dive into how to roast cauliflower.

Want a few other healthy cauliflower recipes? You might also enjoy this Healthy Cauliflower Soup, Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli, or this Whole Roasted Cauliflower Head.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy roasted cauliflower recipe at home.

• Cauliflower. One large head of fresh cauliflower should yield roughly 4 cups of florets. Be sure to get one without brown spots or mushy sections.
• Oil. A neutral oil, such as olive or avocado oil, works great when roasting vegetables. You’ll want to use just enough oil to coat all of the florets, but not so much that they will become too soggy.
• Salt and Pepper. Adjust how little or how much of these you use to taste.
• Seasoning Mix. Use whatever mix you have on hand or what will work best with your main dish! Read below for a few flavor options. You can also leave this out completely and bump up the amount of salt and pepper used.

How to Roast Cauliflower

The easy steps to roast cauliflower at home are simple to follow.

Cutting Cauliflower into Florets

First, you need to cut the whole head of cauliflower into small florets.

The size of the chunks will determine how long it takes them to bake in the oven. If cut on the larger side, they will take longer to bake. Smaller pieces will roast more quickly.

A good rule of thumb is to cut the cauliflower florets to about 1 to 1 ½ inches.

Pro Tip: Have trouble cutting? Learn How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets.

Prepare the Seasoning

Cauliflower makes an incredible canvas to showcase flavors. Because of this, you can truly use all sorts of spices and herbs to season basic cauliflower.

This is the fun part! The sky is the limit. You can use whatever favorite seasonings you have on hand that will complement the main dish and add great flavor to the meal.

Some of the best Roasted Cauliflower seasoning mixes are:

• Mexican Taco – Roast with some Homemade Taco Seasoning and enjoy as vegan tacos.
• Parmesan Italian – Add Homemade Italian Seasoning before baking. When done, sprinkle with a bit of fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Blackened Cajun – Give it a kick by using a Creole or Cajun Seasoning recipe. Top it with some fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice when serving.
• Indian Curry – Mix together a blend of ¾ teaspoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon coriander, and ¼ teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle over the cauliflower before baking. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro before serving.

Toss to Season

Preheat the oven to 425℉. You want to be sure the oven is hot so the high temperature gets the outsides nice and crispy.

Once you have cut the cauliflower into small, bite-sized pieces, it’s time to add your favorite seasoning.

Place the dry cauliflower in a large mixing bowl with the oil. Toss until all of the pieces are covered. Be sure to do this step BEFORE adding the seasoning. That way, the spices will perfectly stick to the cauliflower.

Then, sprinkle the seasoning over the cauliflower and toss again to combine.

Bake in the Oven

There are a few things to note when it comes to the best type of baking sheet to use when roasting vegetables.

A lighter colored baking sheet is preferred and will give you more evenly baked vegetables.

A darker colored baking sheet can potentially burn the vegetables and cooks them unevenly.

Another thing to note is the size of the sheet pan. Select a large rimmed baking sheet that is large enough to fit all of the vegetables in a single layer. If some of the vegetables are overlapping it is best to use a second baking sheet than to try and squeeze them all in.

Roasting vegetables on too small of a baking sheet will leave you with slightly soggy or undercooked vegetables. Overlapped vegetables will also take quite a bit longer to cook than if roasted in a single layer.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray liberally with oil. Spread the seasoned cauliflower in a single, even layer.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, making sure to flip halfway through cooking. This way, the entire piece will get a nice, crispy exterior.

To serve, top with fresh herbs of your choice, if desired.

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: You can chop the cauliflower up to 2 to 3 days ahead of time if you didn’t buy pre-chopped.
• To Store: Store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• To Freeze: Be sure to completely cool the veggies first. For best results, flash freeze in a single layer for a few hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe dish for up to 6 to 9 months.
• To Reheat: Return dish to a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, or warm up in a skillet over medium-low heat.

How do you wash cauliflower before roasting?

The easiest way to clean cauliflower is to cut it into florets first. Follow these steps for how to cut cauliflower, then carefully hold the pieces under running water in a colander. Shake to ensure each one is rinsed.

Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy?

There are a few reasons why your roasted cauliflower turned out mushy. First, you might have used too much oil, or you didn’t allow the oven to fully preheat. The most common cause, however, is likely an overcrowded pan.

Is roasted cauliflower good for you?

Yes! Roasted cauliflower is an incredibly healthy side dish to complement any protein. It is low in carbs and high in nutrients and vitamins. Roasted cauliflower is one of the best and simplest ways to enjoy this veggie.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-carb as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
• Vegan: Avoid cheese and seasonings that aren’t vegan-friendly.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Stay the same. Be sure to cut the cauliflower in similar sizes so they cook evenly.
• Oil first. For the best results, completely coat the cauliflower in oil before adding the seasonings.
• Go big or go home. Make certain the pan you have is large enough, or the cauliflower might end up mushy.
• Take it up a notch. Add a spicy kick with a pinch of red pepper flakes or include some onion powder along with the kosher salt and black pepper.
• Some like it hot. A hot oven is essential to get those crispy edges.

Ways to Use

There are so many different ways you can use roasted cauliflower once it’s made!

For an added crunch, add it to a bowl of Healthy Cauliflower Soup or on top of this whole grain-packed Quinoa Skillet.

It is also a perfect low-carb and keto side for a Filet Mignon.

Or, serve it in corn tortillas as Vegan Cauliflower Tacos.

Be sure to try this Cauliflower au Gratin recipe, too!

Other Roasted Vegetable Recipes

Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and creates an irresistible texture. Be sure to try these easy recipes next.

If you like this roasted cauliflower recipe, you might also enjoy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower or Honey Oven Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes and Maple Roasted Butternut Squash are both sweeter but oh so good.

And Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic are the perfect topping to so many dishes.