How to Roast Cauliflower – BEST cauliflower ever!
Posted: 10/25/2013
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Roasting cauliflower is an easy, delicious and healthy way to enjoy the vegetable. Find out how to roast cauliflower using this easy recipe.
I’ve been roasting vegetables like it is my job (wait…I guess it kind of is my job?) and we LOVE them this way. Cauliflower is no exception! Roasted broccoli is amazing, roasted carrots are amazing, mushrooms, squash, etc. You get the point. Roasting brings so much flavor and texture into most vegetables.
It really is the best way to eat cauliflower. And it is unbelievably easy, which is always a bonus.
Once you learn the basics of how to roast cauliflower, you’ll find yourself doing it constantly! Make sure to try my Parmesan roasted cauliflower, too. I also LOVE these roasted cauliflower nachos!
Tip: The recipe is written for 425°F but if you need to roast it at a lower temperature, like 400°F or even 350°F, you may do so. It won’t cook as quickly and it may not get quiiiiiite as crispy, but it will work if you have something else in the oven that you need to cook at a specific temperature.
I use roasted cauliflower in other recipes, too. Even though the cauliflower is blended together with other ingredients, roasting it first gives your dish an amazing depth of flavor. Everyone will want to know your secret, and how to roast cauliflower!
Try this cauliflower cheddar dip — it’s a healthier alternative to heavy all-cheddar dips. Similarly, roasted cauliflower and cheddar soup tastes unbelievably rich but won’t break your calorie count for the day.
How to Roast Cauliflower in 3 simple steps:
- Wash cauliflower, cut into small florets, and dry as much as possible. I give the florets a spin in my salad spinner. The smaller and the drier they are, the crispier they’ll get and the quicker they’ll cook.
- Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet (give them as much space as possible!) and roast at 425°F until crispy and golden brown!
As always, keep reading for directions and a printable recipe!
PS: Can’t get enough cauliflower? Try Whole Roasted Cauliflower (you will want to DRINK the sauce!) and my favorite burrito bowl topping, Roasted Cauliflower with Chili Powder.
More delicious cauliflower recipes:
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad with arugula & sweet potato
- Pickled Cauliflower (refrigerator pickles)
- Cauliflower, Potato and Cheddar Bake
- Cauliflower Tacos with Chickpeas
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup from Eats Well With Others
- Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower from Reluctant Entertainer
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
side servings
Roasting cauliflower is an easy, delicious and healthy way to enjoy the vegetable. Find out how to roast cauliflower using this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of cauliflower (about 4 cups florets)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven 425°F.
- Wash cauliflower and dry very thoroughly. (Don’t skip drying — it’s important. You can even use a salad spinner if you have one, or just shake, shake, shake all the water out and then pat dry with a towel.)
- Cut into medium-sized spears and coat well with olive oil. Spread onto rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip each piece over, and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The drier you get the cauliflower before mixing with the olive oil, the better this recipe will turn out.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 106mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 4g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Sandy@RE says
Is this not the best snack or what? I LOVE cauliflower cooked this way. Can’t wait to see you in a couple weeks, girl!
Rachael @ Love Yourself Green says
Thanks for this, Rach. I’m not a veggie roaster at all, so wasn’t sure what temp to put the oven on. :) I’m Rachael from Simply Fresh Cooking, btw! I finally got my health back after being bed bound for most of 2013 and I’m doing fantastic now! My diet has DRASTICALLY changed – that’s how I managed to get myself better! ;) I hope you’re well! The blog is looking great. xo
Rachel Gurk says
So happy to hear from you and hear that you’re doing so well! xo
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
Roasted cauliflower (and broccoli) are two of my all time favorite veggies!! These look so crunchy and perfect!! Now I have to go to the store… :)
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Why have I not tried roasting cauliflower?!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Omg. Want to hear something funny? I’ve been roasting my broccoli in the oven ever since that post of yours. So yesterday (I swear) I bought cauliflower, thinking I would do the same thing. And now here you are. With cauliflower. Isn’t that the most hilaaarious thing ever??
Rachel Gurk says
Best thing I’ve heard all day! That’s hilarious! We are two peas in a pod.
Sheila says
HA I cant believe you psted this! I am working on a roasted cauliflower soup right now! I might just need to tag you in my post ;) Looks yum Rachel.
Bree (Skinny Mommy) says
Best thing EVER when your kids start sleeping later! I hope it is a new trend for you-5am is way too early! I love roasted cauliflower too-yum!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I love roasting veggies. When I do cauliflower, I add curry powder. I think broccoli is my favorite.
Carol says
Could you use frozen cauliflower thawed and dried?
Rachel Gurk says
It might be hard to get it dry enough (maybe try a salad spinner?) and frozen cauliflower is typically already blanched (right?) so the cooking time might be less. The result wouldn’t be quite the same, but it’s worth a try!
denise says
easy-peasy