Roasted Cauliflower

Our go-to way to cook cauliflower - super crispy + flavorful. This works great as a side or added to just about any meal.

Now that the summer heat has vacated, we've been enjoying more cauliflower, because we can finally turn on the oven! Roasted cauliflower is an The Crooked Carrot household favorite and it's so easy to incorporate into a just about any recipe.

I'm going to be honest, I’m not a fan of eating raw cauliflower. That pre-made veggie plate cauliflower just isn't my thing. But as a dietitian, I've always encouraged my patients to try any given food three times, prepared three different ways. Roasting cauliflower provides some nice caramelization and a sweeter flavor. I've found it to be one of my favs! I find myself passing on the raw and steamed varieties, but I’d sure eat a whole pan of roasted cauliflower!  

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Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is high in fiber, with three whole grams per cup. Fiber helps keep you regular, helps reduce the risk of heart disease, and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. This veggie is also high in vitamin C and loaded up with antioxidants.

As part of the cruciferous veggie family, cauliflower contains antioxidants like glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, two groups that have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Cauliflower is also available year-round, but fall is the peak season. Which makes it the best time to jump on all those healthy cauliflower benefits!

Quick, Easy, and Versatile

Cauliflower is a great base for a ton of different recipes, or the perfect side dish for almost any meal. Here's our quick and simple roasted cauliflower recipe with several seasoning ideas, so make it what you want!

Ready to make this simple Roasted Cauliflower? Let’s do it!

1 - Cut the cauliflower into small florets. The smaller the better, no one wants a giant mouthful of cauliflower. Combine the florets in a bowl with olive oil, and sprinkle seasonings to coat evenly.

2 - Spread out on a lined baking sheet in a single layer. You can use aluminum foil or parchment paper (just be sure it can heated to 425 F, as parchment paper can burn at high temps). Or try these reusable silicone baking mats. We LOVE our set and literally use them for everything we put in the oven.

3 - With the oven at 425 F, roast for 30 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown around the edges. If you want some extra crisp, cook for another ten minutes to get a bit of char on the edges, but keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Roasted Cauliflower: Tips, Tricks, and Tools

Although you don’t need any special tools to make this roasted cauliflower, a good baking sheet and silicone baking mats certainly make it a smooth process.

Roast the stems of the cauliflower - they’re edible too! Keep the leaves and base of the stem for stock - a great way to make a flavorful stock with those saved veggie scraps! Reducing food waste one slow cooker at a time!

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Seasoning Options

Most often I’ll simply season the roasted cauliflower with salt and pepper. But there are so many different ways to season your cauliflower, and here are a couple of our favorite combinations:

Italian Style

Use these spices: Basil, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme

Add Italian Roasted Cauliflower to a pasta with spinach and chickpeas, or sprinkle on some last minute Parmesan for that cheesy goodness! Dalton-approved.

Mediterranean Style

Use these spices: Cinnamon, Coriander, Crushed red pepper, Cumin, Garlic powder, Ginger, Himalayan sea salt, Onion powder, Paprika

Add Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower to a fall salad with kale, farro, chickpeas and a yummy apple cider vinegar dressing, or simply dip them in a mustard or hummus!

Indian Style

Use these spices: Cardamom, Cayenne, Coriander, Cumin, Curry powder, Garlic powder, Ginger, Onion powder, Paprika, Salt, Turmeric

Add Indian Roasted Cauliflower to a curry or dal!

Mexican Style

Use these spices: Chili powder, Cilantro, Cumin, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Paprika, Red pepper flakes, Salt, Smoked paprika

Add Mexican Roasted Cauliflower to tacos or enchiladas!

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We hope you love this simple Roasted Cauliflower!

• Makes for the perfect side or delicious addition to your weeknight meal
• Packed with fiber and vitamin C
• Delicious straight from the pan 😉

Enjoy them fresh from the oven, or serve them cold in a delicious salad! I add cauliflower to many different dishes like soups, salads, tacos, frittatas, pastas, curry, stir fry, with a simple dip, or in our Roasted Vegetable and Farro Salad!

Love this simple side dish recipe? Check out our other delicious Side Dish recipes like this Roasted Pear and Parsnips or our Miso Glazed Squash.

Did you enjoy this Simple Roasted Cauliflower as much as we do?

Comment below! And rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Not roasting them today? Save this Roasted Cauliflower for later by pinning it to your How To Board and make sure to tag us at The Crooked Carrot Instagram to show us your Roasted Cauliflower creations!

"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed." - Robert H. Schuller

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