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.

smoky roasted 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

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.

  2. 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.

  3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through until cauliflower begins to brown and is tender.

Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op

aloo gobi

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Stir in the garam masala and cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve with brown or white rice.

Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op

roasted cauliflower and potatoes with feta

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op

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.

Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home

 

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.

Find the recipe at Bon Appetit

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Forks and Knives

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Food & Wine

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Bon Appetit

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Food & Wine

 

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.

Find the full recipe at Forks Over Knives

 

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

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