Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan
Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan is a delicious side dish, and roasting the cauliflower with the Parmesan makes it even better. This recipe will be a favorite with everyone who loves the amazing combination of roasted cauliflower + Parmesan cheese!
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Through many, many years of roasting vegetables, this Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan is a roasted vegetable dish I’ve made over and over. I thought I’d about covered the roasted cauliflower possibilities, so it surprised me recently when a failed cooking experiment led to a new variation of this recipe.
Jake and I tried roasting cauliflower in the Air Fryer and then tossing it with Parmesan, and decided it was definitely not a method we preferred. But we had the roasted cauliflower that we’d tossed with Parmesan and the oven was hot from another recipe, so we put the cauliflower into a big casserole dish and put it in the oven, just to melt the cheese a bit before we ate it.
And WOW! The melted cheese in the hot oven formed a crispy Parmesan crust on the bottom of the dish. And the new version was such a winner that I decided I had to update the method in this long-time favorite cauliflower recipe, and that’s how this new-and-improved way of making this dish was born!
I hope you’ll try it if you like the sound of roasted cauliflower with melty Parmesan!
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
- cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- olive oil
- salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
What kind of Parmesan can you use for this?
I would use freshly-grated Parmesan or purchased Parmesan that’s coarsely-grated for this recipe. I’m not sure how it would work with the finely-grated Parmesan that comes in a can.
Who else loves roasted cauliflower?
If you’re loving roasted cauliflower like I am, check out Low-Carb and Keto Roasted Cauliflower Recipes for more tasty recipes like this one.
More ideas for roasting vegetables:
For a few years now I’ve been completely infatuated with roasting vegetables. I’ve made classics like Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Butternut Squash, and Roasted Green Beans, and a few unusual ones like Roasted Vidalia Onions, Roasted Radishes, and Roasted Zucchini!
How to make Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan:
(Scroll down for complete recipe including nutritional information.)
- Cut the cauliflower in same-size bite-sized pieces.
- Toss cauliflower with enough olive oil so pieces are lightly coated, then season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper and toss with grated Parmesan.
- Spread cauliflower out in a single layer in a very large casserole dish and start to roast at 450F/230C.
- Cook 15 minutes, then turn over and cook 15 minutes more.
- Serve hot. That’s all there is to it!
More Recipes using Parmesan with Cauliflower:
Low-Carb Twice Baked Cauliflower
Pureed Cauliflower with Garlic, Parmesan, and Goat Cheese
Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan
Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan is a delicious low-carb side dish, and I've updated this recipe with a new trick that makes this favorite side dish even better.
Ingredients
- 1 very large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 T olive oil (see notes)
- salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F/230C. Use the largest flat casserole dish you have and spray with non-stick spray.
- Cut away the core of the cauliflower, then cut into small bite-sized florets. Try to make them all the same size and on the small side so they'll all get nicely browned at the same time. (To cut the cauliflower without getting a lot of "crumbs", cut through the stem, then pull the floret apart. This trick works well with broccoli too.)
- Put the cauliflower pieces in a large plastic bowl, add olive oil, and toss until the cauliflower pieces are all lightly coated with oil. (Start with a bit less olive oil and add more if it's not enough to cover the cauliflower.)
- Season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, then toss with the grated Parmesan. (Adjust the amount of cheese depending on how big your head of cauliflower was.)
- Roast cauliflower for 15 minutes. Then remove pan from oven and use a large flat turner to flip the cauliflower over so the melted cheese is on top. Roast 15 minutes longer, or until cauliflower is cooked through and nicely browned.
- Serve hot. This can be reheated in the microwave or in a hot pan, although it's best freshly made.
Notes
You need enough olive oil to coat all the cauliflower florets with oil. Use more or less grated Parmesan depending on the size of your head of cauliflower; I used coarsely grated cheese.
Recipe created by Kalyn and updated with a better method in 2017.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Cauliflower is a very low-carb vegetable, and Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan would make a great side dish for low-carb diet plans, including Keto. It could also work for any phase of the original South Beach Diet if you use a moderate amount of oil and cheese.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes to find more side dish recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest or on Facebook to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This recipe was first posted in 2011. It was updated with the improved method in 2017 and was last updated with more information in 2021.
44 Comments on “Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan”
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I’m happy that Cauliflower is gaining popularity, It contains less calories than potatoes, and is super versatile. I have yet to make Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Cauliflower Rice, & several other Cauliflower dishes & twists. Your Roasted Cauliflower w/Parmesan recipe sounds super tasty and E-Z. I bought one this morning, so I plan to serve it (side dish) over the weekend. Thanks for the terrific recipe, & the idea!
I think the ways to make cauliflower taste good are pretty much endless! Hope you enjoy this one!
So Yummy!
Another winner, Kalyn! I used a tuscan herb-infused olive oil and I could really taste the flavors. I also added pine nuts to the last 10 minutes of roasting and they added a nice crunch and depth.
I served this with a grilled pork loin and the flavors went really well together.
Jeanette, in this recipe the cheese is tossed on the cauliflower before it's roasted, so it's nicely browned and crispy. I agree; love roasted veggies.
My kids love roasted cauliflower – I usually mix in some potatoes; I also like roasting root vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts and asparagus…I guess I like just about any vegetable roasted. After making roasted cauliflower for a few friends, they've all become fans. Haven't tried cheese on top, but I'm sure my kids would love that too.
Thanks Lizzi; glad you like the blog.
love the recipe -> just prepared roasted veg tonight and have 1/2 a cauliflower left over, so perfect for tomorrow. Will keep looking at your blog as it looks really interesting…..
Sunny, so glad you enjoyed it. I think garlic would be a nice addition.
Absolutely delicious! It came out exactly as shown in the photo, and tasted like a fattening treat. Next time I'll add some chopped fresh garlic.
Another winner!
Jen, it's cauliflower, so luckily even if you eat the whole pan, no problem!
Finally tried this and ate the whole pan for dinner! Delicious. Thanks again, Kalyn. Looking forward to making your ginger-cilantro rice tomorrow. Best, JenH
Basil, so glad you liked it. I loved the crispy cheese bits in this.
Ok, wow. I have to agree, this is one of the best and most simple dishes that I have ever made. I have had roasted cauliflower once before and loved it, but that went in a salad type thing. This dish will be one of my cauliflower favourites. Just like brussel sprouts!
I just love the way you have cooked cauliflower 🙂
Oh I love hearing that this recipe was a hit with someone who's not really a cauliflower fan; thanks for letting me know.
Just made this tonight and I loved it. The parmesean makes the dish. I am not a huge fan of cauliflower and this was terrific – thanks!
Love this! My favorite roasted veggie! I will be trying your method now!
Andrea, so glad to hear that you liked it. (And I confess, I ate nearly half a head of cauliflower for lunch the day I took these photos!)
We made this last night Kalyn, and it was absolutely delicious! I didn't know two people could eat a whole head of cauliflower (almost). This will definitely be on our weekl menu from now on! Thanks for a great recipe.
Cheers, Andrea