Name: Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cauliflower; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 pinch salt; 1 pinch pepper; 1 pinch pepper flakes; 1/2 cup grated parmesan

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Roasted cauliflower is an easy and simple side dish with an amazing bursting flavor. This recipe is customizable with any of your favorite seasonings and perfectly matches with everything.

Cauliflower is a healthy veggie and easily to be prepared. Roasted with parmesan, garlic, and herbs, this cauliflower recipe with the crust is off-the-charts delicious and flavorful. I try to make different salads of fresh cauliflower with dressings, but this roasted recipe with a dose of garlic and parmesan is always a crowd-pleasure. This simple and easy dish turns out to be fantastically good and yummy in just 20 minutes.

This healthy and low carb recipe is perfectly paired with baked turkey, roasted chicken, grilled beef, and other dishes. I like this easy and light appetizers, especially when they are coated in much garlic, parmesan, and herbs. The aroma in the house is simply unbelievable due to the spicy/aromatic seasoning I use. This lightly crispy and tender side dish turns out to be an ideal vegetarian meal. I adore the roasted cauliflower texture – crunchy/crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. This healthy veggie is really a great side dish on the table that looks perfect and tastes delicious.

Is cauliflower healthy?

Cauliflower is an extremely healthy, nutritious, and low in calories veggie that should be included in most served side dishes. It is a great vegetable that helps lose weight and can be easily introduced on your diet menu. It contains some unique vitamins and antioxidants that help reduce the risk of many diseases, even cancer.

Cauliflower contains a lot of water thus indicating a low-calorie veggie. Also, I know that even being cooked it still preserves vitamins and doesn’t add calories even if combined with other ingredients.

How to choose cauliflower?

Choosing the best cauliflower is one of the key important moments. It is very important to buy fresh, good-looking, and pleasant smelling cauliflower. Today, in our markets you can find this veggie all year-round, so it is important to pay attention to select a good and without mold cauliflower.

Try to select a firm and spotless pale yellow color florets with nice green leaves. The one that looks better, will end-up to be one of the best-roasted recipes.

How to make roasted cauliflower?

For this recipe, I have used a big size cauliflower, as I wanted to cut it in big parts. First of all, I have to wash it properly to avoid any dirtiness and dark spots. I take my baking tray, layer some parchment paper and layer the big cut size cauliflower. You can see it in my photos.

There are times when I bake only the small cut florets. But, for today’s recipe, I wanted a more special arrangement.

I toss the cauliflower in olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and some pepper flakes. Roast the cauliflower in the preheated oven 220 °C ( 425°F) for about 15 minutes until the veggie is soft, tender and golden. Add parmesan on top, and bake for 2 minutes more. When the cauliflower is roasted, transfer it to a serving plate and et voila – one of the best and healthy side dishes.

For Note: the key to obtaining a crispy golden surface is to bake the cauliflower in a super hot oven at the lowest rack. This will make your roasted cauliflower crispy brown on the outside, and soft and tender on the inside.

What to serve with roasted cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a great and delicious side dish paired with everything. It is a healthy vegan dish ideal for holidays, party tables, as well as a side dish or even as a main dish. This recipe will nicely complete other flavorful dishes and will make a good balance between meat and baked veggies.

Can I make roasted cauliflower ahead?

I think that roasted cauliflower can be served either hot or cold. But, if you plan to party in the evening you can roast it in the oven, a day ahead, cool down and refrigerate the florets in a plastic bag. Before serving this dish, warm them with some topped parmesan on it and easily and quick-serve it next to other dishes.

Recipe tips:

Use frozen cauliflower in case you didn’t find a good fresh one.
Use it as a side dish next to chicken, duck, fish, or beef recipes.
Wash the cauliflower before using it. Avoid black spots on the florets.
Try to keep your fresh veggies in containers wrapped in paper towels. This technique will help your veggies stay longer fresh and good.

This easy and healthy roasted cauliflower recipe has already become one of the most frequently baked side dishes. In just minutes you can serve good meat next to a healthy and delicious garniture.