Have you ever tried roasting cauliflower? This healthy, easily customizable vegetable side dish is surprisingly delicious. Ditch your basic steamed and boiled cauliflower. The easy method outlined below produces the best roasted cauliflower – tender, caramelized, sweet and delicious. I’ve also included a video so you can watch the whole process, step by step!
When you roast cauliflower, it’s transformed into something so tasty, you almost forget you’re eating veggies. All you need is a touch of oil, salt and pepper to turn ordinary cauliflower into something extraordinary. The dry heat of the oven makes the cauliflower perfectly tender, and the roasting pan caramelizes the flat surfaces and edges.
Before we dive into the recipe, here are a few important points about cauliflower.
Is Cauliflower Healthy?
Cauliflower is really healthy! Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower are known to lower your risk of cancer, and nutritionists recommend that you eat them at least 3-5 times per week. It’s full of antioxidants, loaded with fiber, and brimming with anti-inflammatory properties. Even so, I was never too excited about cauliflower… until I discovered the magic of roasting.
How do you Cut Cauliflower for Roasting?
The key to getting the most flavor out of your roasted cauliflower is to make sure you have lots of flat surfaces on your florets. The more the flat edges come into contact with the hot baking sheet, the more caramelization you’ll achieve. Caramelization = flavor. I’ve provided instructions below for how to slice your cauliflower to ensure that you have lots of flat surfaces on your florets — this will maximize your caramelization.
How Many Florets are in a Head of Cauliflower?
It’s difficult to measure cauliflower florets (more technically known as curds) in cups because of their bulk and strange shape. I prefer to measure them by weight. Here is a rough guide that will tell you the weight of florets that differently sized cauliflower heads will produce. Keep in mind that each head of cauliflower is different, so this chart is a rough estimate:
1.5 lbs. cauliflower head = 1 lb. florets
2 lbs. cauliflower head = 1.5 lbs. florets
2.5 lbs. cauliflower head = 2 lbs. florets
3 lbs. cauliflower head = 2.5 lbs. florets
If you need to know how many cups of florets you’ll have, an average sized cauliflower (2 lbs.) will produce roughly 3-4 cups of uncooked florets. After roasting, the florets shrink up quite a bit.
How to Season Roasted Cauliflower
Olive oil, salt and pepper are really all you need to make mouthwatering roasted cauliflower. You can certainly add other ingredients to enhance the flavor; I’ve suggested a few ideas below. Parmesan cheese is popular. Garlic adds a lovely aroma. Italian seasoning, za’atar, turmeric, cumin, curry powder and cajun seasoning all give distinctly different flavors. Depending on the type of meal you’re making, you can enhance your roasted cauliflower with a variety of herbs and spices (smoked paprika is a favorite of mine). Feel free to get creative. However you dress it up, roasted cauliflower is downright delicious. Enjoy!
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How to Roast Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
NOTES
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Pull the leaves off of the cauliflower base. Cut off the lower part of the stem.
- Cut the head of cauliflower into four quarters.
- Slice each quarter into 6-8 pieces. You want as many flat surfaces as possible on each floret-- the flat surfaces caramelize best. Caramelization is the key to giving the roasted cauliflower flavor.
- Give all the florets a thorough rinse in a colander. Shake them dry.
- Spread the florets out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Reserve any small bits of cauliflower that have fallen away from the florets in a small bowl. (Please note - in this tutorial the baking sheet is lined with foil, but I no longer use foil for this process--I simply use a plain baking sheet).
- Drizzle the florets evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil. I use a measuring spoon of olive oil for this step, which makes it easier to gauge how much oil I'm using, rather than pouring straight from the bottle. Toss the florets to coat them fully with oil-- I use clean hands for this.
- Sprinkle the cauliflower florets evenly with salt and pepper. At this point, you can also sprinkle them with your choice of optional herbs or spices. Some ideas include - garlic, oregano, spicy red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, za'atar, turmeric, cumin, curry powder, or cajun seasoning. Sprinkle seasoning on to taste. If using parmesan or lemon juice, sprinkle those on at the very end of roasting.Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let the cauliflower roast for 10 minutes.
- While cauliflower is cooking, drizzle 1/4 tsp of olive oil into the small bowl of reserved cauliflower bits that have fallen away from the florets and toss to coat. You will add these to the sheet a little later so they won't burn.
- After 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to turn over the florets, making sure that the florets with flat surfaces are pressed directly against the baking sheet. This will enhance caramelization.
- Sprinkle the reserved cauliflower bits onto the baking sheet.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven. Let the cauliflower roast for 10-20 minutes longer until tender. When it's ready you will be able to pierce it easily with a fork.
- The flat surfaces should be nicely caramelized at this point.
- If you plan to add parmesan cheese and/or lemon juice, now is the time. Sprinkle evenly to taste.Serve hot.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Note: nutritional information above is for 1 standard head of cauliflower divided into 4 servings, with 1/2 tsp salt added. Nutrition will vary based on size of cauliflower, amount of salt added, and any additional ingredients used.
Orsi says
I made it several times already, my daughter ate the whole rosted cauliflower yesterday. It’s really good.
Heidi says
Being vegan, I make this frequently, but always add turmeric in addition to sea salt and black pepper. Don’t go overboard unless you are familiar with turmeric. Start with adding 1/4 teaspoon to the olive oil and you’ll see how it enhances the color and flavor. Turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory so it boosts the immune fighting power of the cauliflower.
Mary says
I just made this recipe for two heads of cauliflower. It’s truly delicious!
Shlomit Manson says
Hi Tori, My mother made cauliflower all the time. It was not as healthy as your recipe but it was incredible. She dipped the florets in egg wash and then in breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper and then she sauteed it in oil until golden and crisp.
Pat says
My mother also fried breaded cauliflower: a Christmas treat & tradition!
Tori Avey says
I love fried cauliflower Pat!
Debbe says
Now I know what I’m having for lunch! I’ll just use olive oil spray and give a sprinkle of salt and pepper before tossing in the oven. So easy! Thanks! 🙂
I love most all the different types of veggies, but never considered roasting, for some reason! I’m learning roasting works for nearly all of them.
Kim Bee says
Oh wow, I’ve never roasted mine. I usually steam them or do them in a saute pan. I am so trying this Tori. Thanks for showing me a new way to do them up. I love cauliflower. It’s so underused in most kitchens.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
We eat roasted cauliflower A LOT! I just toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and a good grating of Parmesan cheese. The two of us have been known to put away a large head of it in one sitting. Delicious! When I was a little girl, my mother used to bread and pan fry cauliflower and that taught me to love this veggie.
Kiri W. says
I love roasting cauliflower, and the more species, the better. Looks like you have the perfect roasting procedure down!
Suzi says
I haven’t roasted cauliflower yet but your looks wonderful. I am definitely going to try it, think I will add some garlic and something spicy. I really like that roasted look in your photos. Nice!
Aggie says
My son and I love roasted cauliflower! (still working on hubby and daughter)
I love adding a bunch of smashed but still in big pieces of garlic, it roasts up do sweet & tasty. I want to try curry powder one day soon.
Love this post!
Aw says
Going to roast some garlic with the cauliflower great idea never did this before I’m sure it will be great
Linda says
One of our favorites….the only way my kids would eat cauliflower besides raw, which they loves for afterschool snacks. Have you ever tried cauliflower steaks? Delicious vegetarian meal…we love this veggie!
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2012/01/cauliflower-steaks-with-olive-relish-and-tomato-sauce-2
Love your blog Tori!
Karen says
I’m very excited to try this recipe! I realized how much I love brussel sprouts by roasting them too! 🙂
Barry Scott says
Very true. The roasting adds so much flavor.
cheryl says
Using smoked paprika is nice sprinkled on top before you put it in the oven. Nice color and great flavor.
Beans says
I also shake in a bag.
Try summing niter kibbeh for your oil and rost it on a rack for even more crispy caramelized cauliflower goodness.
Stacy says
Hi! I do a variation of this. I cube up some sweet potato and toss it in a giant Ziplox bag with the cauliflower. I add olive oil and the Osem chicken consomme powder. It is sooooo good. My daughter loves this stuff. I have to make 2 heads of cauliflower to account for the shrinkage.
Sophie says
I love roasted cauliflower or any roasted veggies! Have you tried indian spices with it, such as curry, garam masala, or tandoori masala over the cauliflower? It is delicious with those flavors!
alan says
hi tori
excellent recipe,i love to cover cauliflower with parmesan or romano or goat cheese after cooking it.
alan
orsilengyel says
It’s very tasty, we make it all the time
oceangypsy says
to make it easier regarding the oil and other ingredients, i’d just toss everything in a storage bag and shake up and spread on cooking pan…
Susan says
just toss with your hands – save the plastic bag from the landfill!!
Kim says
Great recipe love it. Here’s a tip for Susan recycle (wash) you’re bags then you do not have to worry about landfill.