This Roasted Cauliflower recipe is easy, low-carb, and full of flavor! The cauliflower is seasoned to perfection and oven-roasted for an irresistible crispy texture.
Roasted cauliflower is a versatile side dish that you can feature with easy weeknight meals or on your holiday dinner menu. This recipe features fresh garlic, bold paprika, and savory parmesan cheese that pairs well with anything from a side salad to a Thanksgiving turkey.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (1) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PVK-Oct-23-Parmesan-Roasted-Cauliflower-16-scaled.jpg)
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I love using cauliflower in my recipes because you can do so many different things with it! Some of my favorite cauliflower recipes are Cauliflower Tabbouleh Salad, Turkey Meatballs with Mashed Cauliflower, and Mashed Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie.
Roasted Cauliflower is also a fantastic dish if you’re looking for low-carb variations of comforting classics, like my Cauliflower Potato Salad or Whole30 Mashed Cauliflower.
How to Make Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- Cauliflower — You’ll use 1 large whole head of cauliflower cut into florets.
- Extra virgin olive oil — Olive oil is great for roasting and adds depth of flavor.
- Salt and pepper — Season to your preference. You can use kosher salt too.
- Garlic — Use fresh garlic cloves or a jar of pre-minced garlic also works great. You can also use garlic powder if you prefer.
- Paprika — Paprika adds a nice warmth to both the flavor and color of the dish.
- Parmesan cheese — Grated parmesan cheese provides a nice salty element.
- Parsley — Garnish with parsley for extra flavor and color.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (2) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Roasted-Cauliflower.png)
Instructions to Make Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Prep work:
- Before you begin, preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Then, line a baking sheet or sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Season the cauliflower:
- In a large bowl, add the cauliflower florets, drizzle olive oil and season it with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika.
- Toss everything together well, making sure the cauliflower is evenly coated.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (3) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Roasted-Cauliflower-1.png)
Transfer and bake:
- Transfer the cauliflower to the prepared baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer.
- Then, bake the cauliflower for 15 minutes.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (4) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Roasted-Cauliflower-2.png)
Add parmesan cheese:
- At this point, remove the cauliflower from the oven and turn the florets to the other side.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, then return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (5) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Roasted-Cauliflower-3.png)
Garnish and serve:
- When the cauliflower is tender, remove the cauliflower from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (6) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PVK-Oct-23-Parmesan-Roasted-Cauliflower-8-scaled.jpg)
Recipe Tips
- To select a good head of cauliflower at the store, make sure the head is firm, tight, and doesn’t have yellow patches.
- If you want to save time, feel free to use pre-cut cauliflower florets.
- Make sure the cauliflower florets are fully dry before you roast them to get a nice, crispy texture.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this could lead to steamed instead of roasted cauliflower. Arrange your cauliflower in a single layer on the baking sheet so that they are close but not overlapping.
How To Store Leftovers
- To Store: Allow leftovers to cool and place them in an airtight container. Then store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Place cauliflower on a baking sheet and freeze until they’re solid. At this point, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat leftover roasted cauliflower in the oven, so they stay nice and crispy.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (7) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PVK-Oct-23-Parmesan-Roasted-Cauliflower-14-scaled.jpg)
What To Serve With Roasted Cauliflower
- Baked main dishes: I love dinner recipes that don’t require a lot of hands-on attention. Pair this roasted cauliflower with another dish that comes together in the oven, like my baked chicken thighs, baked pork chops, baked salmon, pork tenderloin, roasted chicken, lamb or easy turkey meatloaf.
- Delicious salads: Roasted cauliflower also pairs very well with salads, like my sun-dried tomato pesto cauliflower salad, broccoli salad or roasted butternut squash cauliflower salad.
- Complementary veggies: Serve roasted cauliflower with another complementary vegetable for a delicious and well-rounded meal. Some of my favorite sides to pair with roasted cauliflower are myparmesan lemon asparagus skillet, roasted acorn squash, roasted asparagus, roasted brussels sprouts or easy roasted vegetables recipe.
- Holiday favorites: This roasted cauliflower is a great addition to any holiday table. Pair it with other holiday favorites like my turkey leg, turkey breast recipe, mashed potato recipe,roasted green beans, or mashed cauliflower.
Recipe Variations
- Make it spicy: Cauliflower is so versatile, you can spice it up any which way you like! Add an extra kick to your roasted cauliflower with the addition of chili powder, red pepper flakes, curry powder, or even smoked paprika like my spicy roasted cauliflower recipe.
- Add herbs: If you love fresh herbs as much as I do, feel free to add them! This roasted cauliflower recipe would be great with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
- Main dish energy: You can easily transform this simple side dish into the main character! Recipes like my cauliflower curry or chicken and cauliflower rice are a great place to start.
- Garnish: You can garnish this roasted cauliflower with a little bit of lemon juice, lemon zest and even some raisins on top too.
![Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (8) Roasted Cauliflower - Primavera Kitchen (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.primaverakitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PVK-Oct-23-Parmesan-Roasted-Cauliflower-17-scaled.jpg)
Recommended Tools
- Baking sheet: I use a standard 9×13-inch baking sheet. You’ll want to use a baking sheet with enough room to arrange the cauliflower in a single layer without overlapping.
- Large bowl: A nice large bowl is helpful for tossing the cauliflower, oil, and spices together.
- Parchment paper: Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper makes cleaning up a breeze!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my cauliflower from sticking to the parchment paper?
If you find that your cauliflower is sticking to your parchment paper or foil, there are a few things you can do to help. Be careful not to use too much oil; you’ll want just enough oil to evenly coat the cauliflower, but not so much that it gets greasy and sticky in the oven. Arranging the cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and flipping at the 15-minute mark will also help prevent your roasted cauliflower from sticking.
Can I use frozen cauliflower for this recipe?
Fresh cauliflower really is the best option for this roasted cauliflower recipe. Freezing and then thawing cauliflower will create excess moisture and you’ll likely end up with cauliflower that is soggy instead of crispy. If you want to save time on the prep work, I recommend using pre-cut cauliflower florets.
How do I cut cauliflower?
To cut a head of cauliflower, start by removing the green leaves from the base. Then, cut the stem off, creating a flat surface to keep the cauliflower sturdy. Next, cut the cauliflower into quarters. Separate each quarter into individual florets using either a small knife or your hands. If some of the florets are too large, feel free to cut them into smaller pieces.
Watch the Roasted Cauliflower Web Stories here.
More Cauliflower Recipes
3.48 from 316 votes
Roasted Cauliflower
This Roasted Cauliflower recipe is easy, low-carb, and full of flavor! The cauliflower is seasoned to perfection and oven-roasted for an irresistible crispy texture.
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 30 minutes minutes
Total: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Fresh parsley for garnishing
US CustomaryMetric
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
In a large bowl, add cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Mix everything well to combine.
Transfer everything to the prepared baking sheet. The florets should be in a single layer. Bake the cauliflower for 15 minutes.
Turn the florets to the other side, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, and bake 15 more minutes.
Remove from the oven and garnish it with parsley.
Tips
- When buying a head of cauliflower, make sure the head is firm, tight, and does not have yellow patches.
- If you want to save time, feel free to use pre-cut cauliflower florets.
- Make sure the florets are fully dry so they get a nice, crispy texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this could cause your cauliflower to steam rather than roast.
- To store: Store leftover roasted cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 4 days once they’ve cooled to room temperature.
- To Freeze: Place cauliflower on a baking sheet and freeze until they’re solid. At this point, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat:Reheat leftover cauliflower in the oven, so they stay crispy.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1/4 Calories: 181kcal Carbohydrates: 12.2g Protein: 11.9g Fat: 9.4g Cholesterol: 19mg Sodium: 364mg Fiber: 5.5g Sugar: 5.1g
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
© Author: Olivia Ribas
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Reader Interactions
3.48 from 316 votes (289 ratings without comment)
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Cathy says
Yummy recipe. I’ve made it several times.
Reply
Olivia says
Happy you liked it!
Reply
Marion says
This was very delicious.
The only problem I had was that the Parmesan fell off the cauliflower mostly. How can I make it stick?Reply
Olivia says
Just roast it a bit longer so the parmesan will melt.
Reply
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