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The Best Easy Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe – super simple roasted whole cauliflower for a tender, delicious, never bitter cauliflower flavor everyone loves!
This simple vegan side dish is rich and buttery – not bitter like some cauliflower can be. It is tender and soft, with a crispy broiled top that makes this easy vegetable side one I reach for again and again!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!
Table of contents
This Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe is a Keto Fave!
If you’re looking for a delicious, easy, and super simple spin on cauliflower (that actually tastes great), look no further.
This whole roasted cauliflower is a knockout – full of flavor, and incredibly healthy.
This cauliflower is naturally low carb and keto friendly, so it won’t break your macros for the day.
We’re slow roasting an entire head of cauliflower to help reduce the bitter flavor, and bring out a really simple, delicious nutty and buttery flavor that even picky eaters love – this is one of my all time favorite ways to eat cauliflower!
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We hope you love this easy roasted cauliflower recipe as much as we do!
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will use the following ingredients:
- 1 Head Cauliflower: The star of the show! Cauliflower has a subtle, nutty flavor that becomes more complex as it roasts. Plus, it’s a great canvas for flavors.
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil: Helps crisp up the outer layer of the cauliflower and carries the flavors of the seasonings into the vegetable. It also adds a rich, fruity depth.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Introduces a kick of savory flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the roasted cauliflower.
- 1 tablespoon Trader Joe’s Everything but the Elote seasoning, optional: This seasoning mix offers a burst of unique flavors, including chili pepper, cheese, and corn, bringing a unique twist to the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings help to enhance the natural flavors of the cauliflower and make the other spices pop.
How to Roast Cauliflower
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit. Remove stem and any leaves from cauliflower head. Cover cauliflower in olive oil, rub in well. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional seasoning. Place in baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake. Roast for 30 minutes with foil. Remove foil and continue to roast until golden brown and softened, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool – cauliflower will be extremely hot.
- Enjoy! Slice and serve.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe Tips
This recipe is super adaptable – it is simple, delicious, and you can use any seasonings you’d like to change up the flavors.
Foil: Don’t skip the foil cover – it helps keep the perfect texture of the cauliflower without over drying. If you don’t want to use foil, you can use a dutch oven or pot with a lid to create a steam effect.
Remove foil partway: After your cauliflower head has roasted and steamed in the oven for 30 minutes, remove the foil and cook for an additional hour, letting the cauliflower get lovely golden brown.
Butter baste: If you’d like more of a golden finish, baste with a bit of butter at the end and pop under the broiler for a gorgeous hue.
Prep Properly: Remove the leaves and trim the stem, but leave the core intact so the florets stay connected.
Blanch Before Roasting: A quick 4-5 minute blanch in boiling water can help soften the cauliflower for more even cooking.
Oil It Up: Use a brush to evenly apply olive oil all over, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered.
Season Generously: Don’t skimp on the spices; cauliflower is like a sponge for flavor.
Preheat the Oven: Always start with a hot oven for crisp edges and a tender interior.
Rotate for Even Roasting: Halfway through roasting, rotate your cauliflower to ensure even browning.
Check for Doneness: Insert a knife into the center; it should slide in easily when it’s done.
Optional: Flip It: If you’re brave, flip the cauliflower halfway through roasting to ensure the bottom gets crispy too.
Rest Before Slicing: Let it rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven for easier slicing.
Serving Sauce: Consider a dipping sauce like tahini, tzatziki, or a spicy mayo to elevate the dish.
Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh herbs or a drizzle of extra olive oil can add a finishing touch right before serving.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower FAQs
Since this recipe will be covered in foil, we’re basically steaming it right in the pan while roasting in the first step – so you do not need to steam before roasting.
We love this whole roasted cauliflower as a side to any of our keto main dishes, seafood, or even other vegan recipes!
Many recipes call for roasting a whole head of cauliflower in a cast iron skillet. While we do love the extra crunch and browning the pan gives, we found we had similar results with other pans as well – use whatever you have on hand.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with curry powder, smoked paprika, or any of your favorite herbs and spices. We also love cauliflower in Shawarma Rub!
A knife or fork should easily slide into the center of the cauliflower. The outer layer should also be golden and slightly crispy.
You can prep the cauliflower earlier in the day, but it’s best roasted just before serving for optimal crispiness.
Yes, if you’re brave enough to flip it halfway through, it helps to crisp the bottom as well.
You can use other oils like avocado or walnut, but the flavor profile may change a bit.
As long as your seasonings are gluten-free, the dish itself is naturally gluten-free.
Oh, yes! A sprinkle of Parmesan in the last 10 minutes of roasting can be a game-changer.
You can slice it into u0022steaku0022 slices, or break it into florets, depending on how you want to present it.
Chop it up and toss it into a salad, or use it as a topping for pizza or flatbreads.
What to Serve With Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Quinoa Salad: A light and fluffy quinoa salad with some fresh veggies can add a lovely texture contrast.
Grilled Protein: Whether it’s chicken, steak, or tofu, a grilled element can add a smoky flavor that pairs well with the roasted cauliflower.
Steamed Asparagus: A side of steamed or grilled asparagus could offer a complementary earthy flavor.
Garlic Bread: Crispy garlic bread can add some carb goodness and extra garlic flavor.
Roasted Potatoes: If you’re going for a full-on roast dinner vibe, some spiced roasted potatoes can be a great addition.
Creamy Risotto: A creamy risotto could add a luxurious texture contrast to the crispiness of the cauliflower.
Fresh Salad: A leafy green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can lighten up the meal.
Soup: A light soup, perhaps a gazpacho or a simple broth, can start the meal off on a comforting note.
Sauces and Dips: Consider serving with a tahini sauce, a spicy mayo, or even a yogurt-based dip to add another layer of flavor.
Wine Pairing: A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red like Pinot Noir can round out the meal.
If you love this easy cauliflower, please check out more of our other favorite cauliflower based recipes!
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Oven Roasted Whole Cauliflower Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, stem trimmed off
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Trader Joe’s Everything but the Elote seasoning, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
- Remove stem and any leaves from cauliflower head.
- Cover cauliflower in olive oil, rub in well.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional seasoning.
- Place in baking dish and cover with foil.
- Roast for 30 minutes with foil.
- Remove foil and continue to roast until golden brown and softened, about 45 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool – cauliflower will be extremely hot.
- Slice and serve.
- Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was easy to follow and so delicious.
Thank you, glad you loved it!
Well I made this receipe that didn’t take anytime away from other this that needed to be done. The first time I had roasted cauliflower was in Vienna Austria. A gem of a city ever since I have been hooked. Dance Wien.
I love Vienna! Hope you enjoyed the cauliflower!
Can I do this in an air fryer or Ninja Foodi? What should I do differently?
Set the airfryer at 350 degrees, do not preheat it and cook for 15 minutes checking during the cooking.
I roasted the cauliflower—medium size—for 30 minutes. I took the foil off and checked it in about 20 minutes and it was tender. I would liked it to get a little browner, tho.
I am planning to make this roasted whole cauliflower and have one question. If I cook it in a Le Creuset Dutch Oven, can I use the lid and forego the foil, or will it not steam as well? Thank you!
It will be just fine! I would make sure you add a bit of oil to the bottom of the dutch oven so the cauliflower doesnt dry out and stick too much to the bottom of the pan.