Crispy Roasted Cauliflower is a quick side dish that is versatile enough to stand alone or be used as a topping in pasta, salads or on pizzas.
Roasted Cauliflower
Crispy Roasted Cauliflower is a quick side dish most people never think of making. More tender and milder than roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower is amazing baked simply or with a few ingredients added in.
I first started experimenting with roasting cauliflower about five years ago for a client. They had very restricted diets and needed a constant stream of unique chicken breast dinners. I started with this recipe and it was such a hit that soon I was getting requests for more and more meals to have roasted cauliflower.
Baked Cauliflower Variations
- Sprinkle some grated Parmesan Cheese on top with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. You want to use the kind that comes in a shaker. Sprinkle a generous amount in, maybe a couple of tablespoons.
- Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the oil mixture.
- Roast the Crispy Roasted Cauliflower as written here but then drizzle over the finished pan with balsamic glaze.
- Add in some Tabasco sauce to taste and toss with some Blue Cheese Powder for quick and easy “Buffalo” style roasted cauliflower.
- Add some minced garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper for an Italian twist.
What Goes with Roasted Cauliflower? Everything!
I’d also make you guys a list of meals you can serve this with but the truth is this would work in almost any dish from a side dish to a pasta or salad mix-in — even a sandwich filling. Actually, on that note, if you were to slice the cauliflower into a steak instead of the florets and make it about an inch to an inch and a half thick and roast at the same time and temperature, you’d have an amazing veggie “patty” alternative. Just be sure to toss with some oil and flavor it well.
A quick last couple of Baked Cauliflower tips for you:
- Do NOT toss out the stalk. Slice it up and roast it along with the florets, it is just as tender and delicious. Seriously, don’t waste it.
- It may look like a lot of cauliflower before you roast it, but take it from someone who has made this dish over a hundred times in the last few years, you can start “tasting” it and before you know it half the tray is gone. Always make more than you think you’ll need, it will be a hit.
Crispy Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 pound cauliflower (a normal head of cauliflower)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut the cauliflower into florets about the size of a ping pong ball.
- Put into a large bowl and toss with oil and salt and pepper (I used 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, but you can season to taste.
Spread evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.
please tell me why my cauli didn’t come up crunchy when my oven was on 220 I’ve done it twice love the flavours but just not crunchy ,
Oh no! If it wasn’t crisping up, maybe the oven rack that you placed them on was too low and needed to be moved up higher. Also, make sure that the cauliflower is spread out on the pan so it cooks evenly. Hope this helps for next time! Glad you enjoyed the flavor though.