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Learn how to make the perfect Roasted Cauliflower in the oven! Seasoned with garlic and parmesan cheese and roasted to golden brown perfection, this easy recipe is loaded with flavor and so easy to make.
If you’re getting ready for the Holidays and need some tasty side dishes to serve your guests, try making our Roasted Asparagus or our Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon.
Roasted cauliflower makes an easy and delicious side dish that is so versatile and goes with everything, but it also makes an excellent topping for salads and bowls! What I love is that it tastes great hot and cold, a perfect dish for meal prep.
Whenever I make this recipe, I make at least one whole head of cauliflower, so we have some leftovers for putting on salads, pizzas, or to snack on. Baking the cauliflower florets in the oven is an easy way to make a whole head at once. Let me show you how easy it is!
How do you prep cauliflower?
You can buy cauliflower at the store that is already divided into florets. But it is a lot cheaper to buy a whole cauliflower head and cut it into florets yourself; it’s easier than you think!
- Remove the outer leaves.
- Cut off the stem with a large chef’s knife and cut the cauliflower head in half.
- With the tip of the knife, separate the head into florets. Cut them in half or quarter them until you have bite-sized pieces.
- Place the florets in a colander and wash them under running water.
TIP: You can also cut the stem into small pieces and roast it together with the florets. It tastes as good as the florets!
How to make roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be boiled, sauteed, steamed, and of course, roasted in the oven! This roasted cauliflower recipe is an easy way to prepare a whole head that is very hands-off.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and lightly oil a large baking sheet or line it with aluminum foil.
- Prep the cauliflower and combine with minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
- Transfer to the baking sheet, season, and roast for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and tender.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower before serving.
Once the cauliflower florets are golden brown and tender, they are ready to serve. Season to taste, sprinkle with parmesan, and serve alongside Baked Chicken Legs or Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops.
How long to roast cauliflower at 400F and how do you know when it is cooked?
How long to roast the florets depends on their size and your preferred doneness. Bite-sized florets are usually done after 25 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees F. They should be golden brown and tender.
Cauliflower Variations
This basic recipe can easily be adjusted to your taste or to what you have in your fridge and pantry. Here are a few different variations and toppings that go well with cauliflower:
- Cheese: Instead of parmesan cheese you can also use other cheeses like blue cheese, cheddar, Emmental, goat cheese, Gruyere, or pecorino
- Bread Crumbs: Roasted in a bit of butter, bread crumbs make a great topping
- Pine Nuts: Roasted pine nuts add texture and flavor
- Lemon or Lime Juice
- Balsamic Glaze: Adds a bit of sweetness
More easy Side Dishes you will love!
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Parmesan Oven Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower head, about 2 1/4 pound
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and lightly oil a large baking sheet or line it with aluminum foil.
- Wash, trim and cut the cauliflower into small florets and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add minced garlic, drizzle over lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Spread into an even layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, turning the cauliflower once. It should be golden brown and tender, test with a fork for doneness.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower before serving.
