Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower

Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower is a delicious way to elevate the humble cauliflower. Roasting the cauliflower brings out a sweet flavor that pairs nicely with garlic and warm parmesan cheese. This makes an easy side dish the whole family will love! 

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower Recipe

The thing I love about roasting vegetables is how easy it is. The cauliflower florets are tossed with olive oil and garlic. Then once the cauliflower has roasted for about 20 minutes you sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top and finish roasting. Then sprinkle over some freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.

I am always looking for new ways to cook vegetable sides for my family. There is something about roasting cauliflower, or roasted vegetables in general, that keeps me coming back for more. This Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower is no exception.

Every time I roast vegetables I am reminded how much I love them. Not only do the vegetables always taste sweeter, I can get my kids to take seconds. You can’t beat that! This roasted cauliflower recipe has quickly entered the rotation and my kids ask for this time and time again.

Here are more reasons it’s a must-try dish:

• Easy Preparation: Hands on prep time is minimal, only 10 minutes. Then you can place the cauliflower into the oven to roast, while you get on with preparing the rest of the meal.
• Meal Prep: Great for meat prep, batch cook some cauliflower then add it to easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.
• Healthy and Nutritious: This is a healthy veggie side as Cauliflower is low in calories, but high in fiber, folate, potassium and a whole range of vitamins, including B, C and K.

If you enjoy the flavor of roasted cauliflower, here are some recipes you will also enjoy, my Simple Roasted Broccoli, Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower, Curry Roasted Cauliflower, or Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower, Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cauliflower: I use 1 large head cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets which will serve 4 as a side dish.
• Oil: For the best nutty flavor I mix the spices with extra virgin olive oil.
• Garlic: I use freshly minced garlic cloves, along with 2 whole garlic cloves for flavor. You could use garlic puree or frozen garlic in a pinch.
• Seasoning: I add Italian seasoning, along with some sea salt and black pepper flavor the olive oil.
• Cheese: I like to use Parmesan cheese to flavor the cauliflower as it has great robust flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: I like to garnish the cauliflower with some freshly chopped parsley, you could also use fresh basil, cilantro, dill or thyme leaves.

For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt if needed:

• Cauliflower: Swap regular cauliflower for a head of Romanesco broccoli.
• Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds great flavor and pairs really well with the garlic. You could also use feta cheese or a crumbly goats cheese.
• Spices: Add some spices to the olive oil mix, try sweet or smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, or chili powder.
• Fresh Herbs: I garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro, but you could swap this for parsley, dill basil or oregano.
• Citrus: Freshen up the cauliflower with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
• Meat: Try adding some crispy bacon or pancetta, which works really well with the cauliflower. 
• Nuts: Scatter over some nuts like cashews, almonds or pistachios just before serving.
• Seeds: Some toasted seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, would also add great crunch and texture.

How to make Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat over to 450 degrees F.

Step 2: Coat the Cauliflower

In a large mixing bowl place the cauliflower florets and the 2 pieces of whole peeled garlic. In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and whisk to combine.

Pour the olive oil mixture over the cauliflower and use tongs to stir until all of the cauliflower is coated.

Step 3: Roast the Cauliflower

Spread the cauliflower on a non-stick baking sheet and roast until the cauliflower is just starting to soften and turn golden brown on the bottom side, about 20 minutes flipping the cauliflower halfway through.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

Remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the cauliflower. Return the cauliflower to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted, about 10 more minutes.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley on the cauliflower and serve warm.

Expert Tips for Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower

• For an even cook, break the head of cauliflower into even sized florets so that they cook at the same time.
• Give the cauliflower a really good mix in the oil and seasoning blend to ensure each floret is completely covered.
• I like to add the two whole cloves of garlic to the cauliflower while roasting to add even more garlic flavor. Feel free to leave those out and just use minced garlic if you want less of a garlic flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking pan, allow space between each floret of cauliflower for the air to circulate. This ensures the cauliflower roasts rather than steams.
• Only add the Parmesan cheese for the final 10 minutes of the cook, otherwise you will burn the cheese.

Serving Tips

Roasted cauliflower is really versatile side dish, and the flavors in this recipe work really well with a variety of meat, seafood and vegetable based dishes. Or try as a snack option with a dipping sauce.

• Side Dish: A great side with any meat or seafood main, try it with my Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Thighs, Lemon Garlic Butter Grilled Ribeye, Grilled Chicken Wings, Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp, or Air Fryer Cod,
• Meat Free: Cheesy Pesto Tortellini, Mediterranean Stuffed Butternut Squash, or Lemon Pasta.
• Bowls: I love adding this Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower to bowls like my Mediterranean Buddha Bowl or Slow Cooker Cuban Pork Rice Bowls.
• Meat Prep: When I do meal prep on Sundays I like to roast vegetables to use throughout the week for lunches and dinners, this roast cauliflower recipe is ideal for that.
• Dipping Sauce: Cauliflower also works really well as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce. Hot sauce is a great option or try my tahini yogurt dressing, a tahini sauce, or dill sauce.

Storage Tips

Once cooked and cooled, store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat leftovers place in a warm oven, or your air fryer, for 10-15 minutes to crisp up again.

This is a dish that is best served fresh so I don’t recommend freezing as you will loose the crispy texture during the freezing and defrosting process.

Leftover Ideas

• Salad: Add the cauliflower florets to salads, like my Grilled Chicken Salad, for an easy lunch the next day.
• Bowls: Try adding it to a grain bowl like this Chicken Shawarma Bowl.
• Platters: Add to your favorite meat or vegetable platters. Great with this Hummus Platter.

Recipe FAQs

More Cauliflower Recipes

If you like cauliflower recipes I have some other ways you can use it in recipes. These are also great recipes to add to your rotation:

• Cauliflower Tabbouleh
• Cauliflower Gratin
• Cheesy Cauliflower
• Cauliflower Curry
• Air Fryer Cauliflower
• Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower

Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower is a fun, delicious way to make cauliflower. Roasting the cauliflower brings out a sweet flavor that pairs nicely with garlic and warm parmesan cheese. This makes an easy side dish the whole family will love!

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cauliflower, healthy, mediterranean diet, roasted vegetables, side dish, vegetables, vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

4

Author: Julia

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets {about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds}
• ▢ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, peeled but left whole
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ▢ Fresh parsley chopped

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Instructions

• Preheat over to 450 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl place the cauliflower florets and the 2 pieces of whole peeled garlic. In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
• Pour the olive oil mixture over the cauliflower and use tongs to stir until all of the cauliflower is coated.
• Spread the cauliflower on a non-stick baking sheet and roast until the cauliflower is just starting to soften and turn golden brown on the bottom side, about 20 minutes flipping the cauliflower halfway through .
• Remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the cauliflower. Return the cauliflower to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted, about 10 more minutes.
• Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley on the cauliflower and serve warm.

Notes

I like to add the two whole cloves of garlic to the cauliflower while roasting to add even more garlic flavor. Feel free to leave those out and just use minced garlic if you want less of a garlic flavor.