Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

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Published: March 20, 2014Updated: August 30, 2021Author: Amy

Sweet cauliflower tossed in olive oil, garlic, thyme, and Parmesan cheese, then cooked until tender and golden. Roasted Cauliflower is a simple side dish with fantastic results and goes with just about everything!

Looking for more cauliflower recipes? Don’t miss our Roasted Cauliflower Parmesan, Mashed Cauliflower, and Cauliflower Curry Rice.

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (1)

Easy Oven Roasted Cauliflower

Ah, roasted cauliflower. I’m in love with this stuff! It’s seriously like candy to me. Well, not quite. But close!

Sometimes I’ll throw this together and eat it for lunch – nothing else with it. Roasted (and grilled) vegetables are just the best.

This recipe for Roasted Cauliflower couldn’t be easier, too. You only need cauliflower, olive oil, garlic, thyme, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. You could also sprinkle additional seasonings on your cauliflower, but I just love it simple. Roasting vegetables brings out the absolute best flavor – they really don’t need anything else.

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (2)

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Cauliflower: A whole head of fresh cauliflower, cut into small florets. If you’re in a crunch for time, some markets even sell it pre-cut.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil: This will give the dish some moisture and richness.
  • Garlic: Peeled and smashed, so buy it fresh.
  • Thyme: Fresh thyme sprigs are ideal. Skip the dried herbs for this recipe.
  • Seasoning: Simple salt and pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese off the block. Skip the pre-grated kind in the plastic tub.

How to Roast Cauliflower

Here are a few tips to ensure your cauliflower is roasted perfectly!
(Don’t miss the detailed printable recipe card below and the video.)

  • Cut the florets into medium-sized florets.Too small and they’ll burn.
  • Make sure the florets are uniform in size.Making sure they’ll all the same size, allows them to cook the same.
  • Place them onto the baking sheet in a single layer.Vegetables let off moisture as they cook and if they’re piled on top of one another they will steam and not roast.
  • Toss halfway through cooking.This allows the florets to roast evenly and brown on all sides.
  • What temperature to roast cauliflower? Roast at 425 degrees F. High heat is best!
  • How long to roast cauliflower? Roast until the cauliflower is tender and slightly crisp, about 25 minutes at 425. Don’t over-cook the florets or they’ll be mushy and fall apart. You want them to be al dente and nicely browned around the edges – the charred pieces are the most delish!
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (3)

What to Serve with Cauliflower

Our roasted cauliflower recipe is perfect any time of year. Serve it with one of the following for a complete meal:

  • Skillet Steak
  • Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Baked Chicken Breast
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops

How to Make Roasted Cauliflower – Video

More Roasted Vegetables:

  • The Best Roasted Broccoli
  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Roasted Eggplant and Cherry Tomatoes
  • Rosted Parmesan Creamed Onions

I hope you love this delicious and simple recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (4)

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is a simple side with fantastic results! Sweet cauliflower tossed with seasonings and Parmesan, then roasted until tender and golden.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower , cut into florets about 1 1/2 inches each
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

  • Toss florets on a large rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil, garlic, and thyme until coated; season with salt and pepper.

  • Roast for 15 minutes, tossing once until almost tender. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and toss to combine; roast for an additional 10 minutes, tossing once more, until fork tender and golden.

  • Serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 71.9mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: roasted cauliflower

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (5)
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

FAQs

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Belly Full? ›

Toss florets on a large rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil, garlic, and thyme until coated; season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, tossing once until almost tender. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and toss to combine; roast for an additional 10 minutes, tossing once more, until fork tender and golden.

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Have you roasted cauliflower before and it came out tough or mushy? A common problem is either roasting it at too low a temperature or stopping once the cauliflower is tender—both mean that the florets do not caramelize.

How to cook cauliflower so you don't get gas? ›

Steamed cauliflower is also gentler on the stomach and less likely to cause gas compared to other cooking methods, such as boiling or stir-frying.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

"Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay. The edges will get much crispier than they would if you baked them on parchment paper.

How do you not overcook cauliflower? ›

As with all vegetables be sure not to overcook cauliflower. We suggest Healthy Sautéeing cauliflower rather than the more traditional methods of boiling or steaming, which makes them waterlogged, mushy and lose much of its flavor. Cut cauliflower florets into quarters and let sit for 5 minutes before cooking.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

How do you get rid of bloating from cauliflower? ›

Pairing your cauliflower with some herbs and spices might be quite helpful in aiding digestion and preventing the formation of gas. Among these herbs and spices are fennel, dill, cumin, coriander, anise, ginger, and cinnamon. Drinking plays an important role in digestion as it helps fiber to move through the body.

Why do I feel sick after eating cauliflower? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

Should cauliflower be washed before roasting? ›

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.

Why won't my roast veggies go crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Why is my cauliflower au gratin watery? ›

The watery problem happens when the cauliflower is either overcooked or not drained well enough after a quick blanching.

Why is roasted cauliflower soggy? ›

Why is my roasted cauliflower soggy? Crowding the cauliflower on the pan could make them cook up mushy and a bit soggy. Leave some space between the florets. Be sure not to use too much olive oil to cook them.

Is it better to steam or roast cauliflower? ›

You can steam or blanch it to keep its essential flavors intact, but by roasting or sautéing it, you can bring out its sweetness. Cauliflower will absorb the oil and seasoning, soaking up flavors much the way eggplant does, but it remains firmer. Roasted cauliflower can be served warm or at room temperature.

How do you get the liquid out of cauliflower? ›

The trick with cauliflower is: Don't cook it till is too soft. just 4 or 5 minutes but taste to be sure. then drain into a colander, (sieve with big holes) and leave to drain for a few minutes, asking every minute. tap dry with a little kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.

Why is my cauliflower not roasting? ›

Leave plenty of space between the cauliflower florets to prevent steaming. Spacing the cauliflower florets too close together can make for mushy roasted cauliflower – not what you're going for! When in doubt, use two baking sheets.

Why is my cauliflower not firm? ›

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out.

How do you keep roasted vegetables from getting mushy? ›

Don't crowd the baking sheet.

You want to spread the vegetables in an even layer with space in between so the vegetables can cook and get crispy. If you crowd and overlap the veggies, they will steam and get mushy, not what we want!

Why won t my roast veggies go crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

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