20 Recipes That Will Make Cauliflower Your New Favorite Vegetable
Cauliflower is one of those veggies that many people either love or hate. But we think that if you don't like cauliflower, maybe you just haven't had it the right way!
If your experiences with cauliflower were a mushy, squishy mess, you deserve to know the truth: cauliflower is delicious and super versatile! Doesn't hurt that it's healthy and filling, too. Keep reading discover popular ways to enjoy cauliflower.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Smoky Roasted Cauliflower
We'll start with the basics. One of the easiest and healthiest ways to cook up cauliflower is to roast it in the oven.
In this recipe, cauliflower is combined with simply olive oil, garlic, chipotle peppers, and salt and pepper.
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, stems removed, cut into florets
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, garlic, chipotle peppers, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Spread the cauliflower out onto a baking sheet and place in the oven.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through until cauliflower begins to brown and is tender.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Aloo Gobi
Otherwise known as curried cauliflower, Allo Gobi is packed full of flavor and is a good way to introduce cauliflower into your diet.
Serve this dish with basmati rice, naan bread, and fresh slices of cucumber and tomato.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 pound cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
1/2 cup water
1/4 pound tomatoes, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon garam masala
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large saucepan or a skillet with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for a few minutes and add the jalapeno, garlic, ginger, cumin and turmeric along with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 1-2 more minutes.
Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and the water, cover, and simmer 6-8 minutes. Add the cauliflower, cover the pot and simmer another 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the garam masala and cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve with brown or white rice.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Roasted Cauliflower and Potatoes with Feta
Here's another simple roasted cauliflower recipe that incorporates potatoes, carrots, and feta into the mix. Serve this as a side dish to oven-roasted chicken or pork.
Ingredients
1 small cauliflower
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled
1 large carrot
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Directions
Heat the oven to 425°F. Slice the cauliflower into large florets with a knife so that the flat side of the florets can make full contact with the pan and caramelize during baking. Dice the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes and slice the carrots crosswise, about 1/3-inch thick.
Place on a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika and salt. Toss vegetables to coat and spread out on the pan.
Bake for 30 minutes, shaking and turning the pan halfway through. When the vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a knife, remove from the oven and toss with feta and parsley. Serve hot.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
One-Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
If you're not really a fan of cauliflower but are trying to sneak into a meal where it won't be the center of attention, consider this cauliflower mac and cheese
!Cooked on the stovetop in a sauce made of coconut milk, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and fontina, this mac is a far cry from the boxed stuff.
If you wanted to add even more veggies, broccoli would definitely be a delicious addition. And as far as protein goes, some chopped bacon would up the salty/savory level.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is another easy way to incorporate cauliflower into your diet that's suprisingly tasty, and it's a great alternative to regular rice for those who are a little carb conscious.
While you can certainly purchase pre-made frozen cauliflower rice, this is a delicious recipe to utilize if you want to try making it from scratch with fresh cauliflower.
The only kitchen equipment you'll need for this recipe is a food processor and a lemon zester.
Photo Courtesy of Bon Appetit
Cauliflower Tacos With Cashew Crema
Taco Tuesday isn't just for meat-eaters! Whether you're vegan or just trying to eat less meat, this cauliflower taco recipe is an easy plant-based weeknight meal.
Cauliflower is roasted and then combined with a sauce that's made up of a variety of taco seasonings.
The only thing you might want to add to this meal is your favorite salsa.
Photo Courtesy of Forks Over Knives
Buffalo Cauliflower Pita Pockets
You probably don't associate cauliflower with portability, but here, buffalo-style roasted cauliflower is stuffed into a pita pocket for a quick and easy protein-packed lunch on the go!
Chickpeas provide this dish with lots of protein while a zingy sauce adds a punch of flavor.
Serve these as an appetizer at your next family gathering or as an easy at-home lunch.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Crispy BBQ Beer-Battered Cauliflower Nuggets
If you're craving some deep-friend nuggets but want to get your veggies in, try this BBQ cauliflower nuggets recipe!
Cauliflower is coated with a beer batter and fried in a skillet to make it crispy and golden.
Drizzle your nuggets with the homemade BBQ sauce or simply serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Now, if you're the type of person who loves cauliflower and want to bring out its flavor, consider this simple salad recipe.
Cauliflower is roasted and then paired with kale, arugula, radishes, tart cherries, pepitas, and homemade dressing to create a salad that's full of texture and flavor.
Enjoy this salad as a simple lunch or pair it with a grilled steak for dinner.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
Given its textural similarities to potato, of course, we had to include a recipe for mashed cauliflower.
In this healthy side dish, cauliflower is cut into chunks and roasted before being mashed in the food processor.
Combine your mashed cauliflower with brown butter and sage, and serve it alongside oven-roasted chicken breast and steamed veggies.
Photo Courtesy of Bon Appetit
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Here's another cauliflower rice recipe that incorporates scallions, butter, sliced almonds, and golden raisins into the mix.
That said, the ingredients in this recipe can easily be swapped out with other similar ingredients you already have in your pantry to save yourself a trip to the store.
For instance, you could swap out golden raisins for dried currants or cherries, or you could swap out the scallions with herbs like parsley or basil.
Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine
Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin
Here's another recipe for those who love fresh cauliflower as a side dish. This roasted cauliflower recipe features turmeric and cumin for a zesty take on this otherwise fairly simple recipe.
Cilantro and mint add an herby fragrance and flavor to the cauliflower that helps to balance out the zesty cumin.
Photo Courtesy of Forks Over Knives
Landlocked Ceviche
Traditionally, ceviche is packed full of seafood like shrimp and cod. But here, cauliflower replaces the seafood entirely, turning it into a vegan-friendly dish.
Lime juice breaks down the fibers in the cauliflower similarly to how it cooks the seafood, resulting in tender pieces of cauliflower that are zesty and delicious.
Serve your ceviche as a dip for homemade tortilla chips or as a topping for plant-based tacos.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Cauliflower, Romanesco & Broccoli Gratin
A healthier version of traditional potato gratin, this recipe combines cauliflower with broccoli and a variety of different cheeses to create a salty and savory side dish.
Serve this dish with our own rotisserie chicken and a side of steamed veggies.
Find the full recipe at Eating Well
More Cauliflower Recipes
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower from Chocolate Covered Katie
Crispy Cauliflower Po’ Boy from Love and Lemons
Easy Baked Cheese Cauliflower Pizza from Half Baked Harvest
Curried Cauliflower Soup from Feasting at Home
Roasted Cauliflower Enchiladas from Gimme Some Oven