13 Cauliflower Recipes So Good You Will Forget They Are Healthy

Cauliflower used to be the vegetable everyone pushed to the side of the plate. Not anymore. Today it shows up as rice, pizza crust, buffalo bites and even steaks. It is low in calories, high in fiber and soaks up almost any flavor you give it. These cauliflower recipes prove that one head can become a side dish, a snack or the star of dinner. Every slide comes with a simple recipe. For more lighter meals, browse these low carb dinners. Which one will win over the cauliflower skeptic in your house? Let us see..

Whole Roasted Cauliflower, the Showstopper of Cauliflower Recipes

A whole roasted cauliflower looks like something from a fancy restaurant, but it is surprisingly easy. The head is rubbed with olive oil, garlic and spices, then roasted until deeply golden outside and tender all the way through. Bring it to the table on a platter with a drizzle of lemony tahini sauce and fresh herbs. It makes a beautiful vegetarian centerpiece for holiday dinners.

You will need: 1 large head cauliflower, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, pepper. Sauce: 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, water, parsley, pomegranate seeds.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 F. Trim the leaves and boil the whole head in salted water for 6 minutes. Drain and dry. Mix oil, grated garlic and spices and rub all over. Roast 40 to 50 minutes until golden. Whisk tahini, lemon and water into a sauce and drizzle on top with parsley and pomegranate.

Simple Sheet Pan Roasted Cauliflower

If you only try one of these cauliflower recipes, start here. Roasting at high heat turns the florets nutty and caramelized, nothing like the soft boiled cauliflower many of us grew up with. Toss in carrots and potatoes and you have a full tray of sides. The key is giving everything space on the pan so it roasts instead of steams.

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 2 carrots, 2 potatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, salt, pepper, fresh parsley.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 F. Cut cauliflower into florets and the carrots and potatoes into chunks. Toss with oil and spices. Spread out on a large sheet pan. Roast 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until browned. Top with parsley.

Buffalo Bites, the Game Day Pick of Cauliflower Recipes

Buffalo cauliflower bites are the game day snack that even meat lovers grab. Florets get a light batter, bake until crisp, then get tossed in tangy buffalo sauce. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese dip and celery sticks. They are a lighter swap for wings. Quick poll: ranch or blue cheese? Choose your side!

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup milk or water, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce, 2 tablespoons melted butter, ranch to serve.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 450 F. Whisk flour, milk, garlic powder and salt into a batter. Dip florets and place on a lined pan. Bake 20 minutes. Mix hot sauce and butter, toss the cauliflower in it and bake 8 more minutes. Serve with ranch.

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Soups are some of the coziest cauliflower recipes, and this one tastes rich and velvety with no cream in it at all. Roasting the cauliflower first gives a deep, nutty flavor, and blending it makes the soup silky. Top with toasted nuts, a swirl of olive oil or crispy croutons. It is a cozy bowl for chilly fall evenings. Would you top it with cheese or nuts?

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 1 onion, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, salt, pepper, toasted almonds or hazelnuts.

How to make it: Roast cauliflower florets with oil at 425 F for 25 minutes. Cook the onion and garlic in a pot for 5 minutes. Add the roasted cauliflower, broth and thyme and simmer 10 minutes. Blend until smooth. Season and top with nuts.

Cauliflower Rice, the Base for So Many Cauliflower Recipes

Cauliflower rice is the building block for many cauliflower recipes. It is just cauliflower chopped into tiny rice sized pieces, then quickly sauteed. It has far fewer carbs than regular rice and cooks in about five minutes. Use it under curries, in burrito bowls or mixed half and half with real rice. Have you ever tried it?

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, salt, pepper, fresh herbs (optional).

How to make it: Cut the cauliflower into florets. Pulse in a food processor in small batches until it looks like rice, or use a box grater. Heat oil in a large pan. Add the rice and cook 5 minutes, stirring, until just tender. Season and serve.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

This takeout style fried rice uses cauliflower rice in place of white rice. Eggs, peas, carrots, green onion and soy sauce give you all the flavor you crave. It cooks in one pan in 15 minutes and works great for meal prep. Add shrimp or chicken for extra protein. Quick poll: what do you add to fried rice? A) shrimp B) chicken C) tofu D) just veggies.

You will need: 4 cups cauliflower rice, 2 eggs, 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, 3 green onions, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon oil.

How to make it: Heat oil in a large pan. Scramble the eggs and set aside. Cook garlic and peas and carrots for 3 minutes. Add cauliflower rice and cook 5 minutes over high heat. Stir in soy sauce, eggs, sesame oil and green onions.

Cheesy Gratin, Holiday Cauliflower Recipes at Their Best

This is the comfort food side dish that belongs on every holiday table. Tender cauliflower is covered in a creamy cheese sauce and baked until bubbling and golden on top. It tastes like the best mac and cheese, but with vegetables. Make it a day ahead and bake it just before dinner. Who at your table would go back for seconds?

You will need: 1 large head cauliflower, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere or cheddar, 1/4 cup parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs.

How to make it: Boil florets 5 minutes and drain well. Melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk and stir until thick. Stir in most of the cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour over the cauliflower in a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and remaining cheese. Bake at 400 F for 25 minutes.

Cauliflower Steaks With Herb Sauce

A cauliflower steak is a thick slice cut through the center of the head. Seared in a hot pan and finished in the oven, it gets a crispy golden crust and a tender middle. Spoon a bright green herb sauce over the top. It is a hearty vegetarian main course that looks impressive on any plate. Would you try it as a main dish?

You will need: 1 large head cauliflower, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Sauce: 1/2 cup parsley, 2 tablespoons cilantro, 1 garlic clove, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 F. Cut the cauliflower into 2 thick slices through the stem. Brush with oil and season. Sear 3 minutes per side in a hot oven safe pan. Roast 15 minutes. Chop or blend the sauce ingredients and spoon over the steaks.

Crispy Cauliflower Tacos

Roasted spiced cauliflower makes an amazing taco filling. The edges get crispy and smoky with chili powder and cumin. Pile it into warm tortillas with crunchy slaw and a creamy avocado lime sauce. This is a Taco Tuesday option that is colorful, budget friendly and totally meatless. Do you prefer corn or flour tortillas?

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, 8 small tortillas, 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 avocado, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 lime, cilantro.

How to make it: Toss florets with oil and spices and roast at 425 F for 25 minutes. Blend avocado, yogurt, lime juice and salt into a sauce. Warm the tortillas. Fill with cabbage, cauliflower, a drizzle of sauce and cilantro.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Want to make mac and cheese a little lighter? Swap half the pasta for cauliflower florets. They hide perfectly in the creamy cheese sauce and help stretch the dish to feed more people. Kids rarely notice the difference. Bake it until the top is crispy and golden. This is one of those cauliflower recipes the whole family can agree on.

You will need: 8 ounces elbow pasta, 3 cups small cauliflower florets, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs.

How to make it: Boil the pasta and add the cauliflower for the last 5 minutes. Drain. Make a cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, cheese and mustard. Mix with pasta and cauliflower. Spread in a dish, top with breadcrumbs and bake at 375 F for 20 minutes.

Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry

Among the heartiest cauliflower recipes, this golden curry is warm, fragrant and ready in about 30 minutes. Cauliflower and chickpeas simmer in a sauce of tomatoes, coconut milk and spices until tender. It is filling, plant based and even better the next day. Serve over rice or with warm naan to scoop up every drop of sauce. How spicy do you like your curry, mild or hot?

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 1 can chickpeas, 1 onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can coconut milk, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, cilantro, rice to serve.

How to make it: Cook onion in oil for 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, coconut milk, cauliflower and chickpeas. Simmer covered for 20 minutes until tender. Season and top with cilantro.

Gobi Manchurian

Gobi Manchurian is a hugely popular Indo Chinese dish from India. Crispy fried cauliflower is tossed in a sticky, spicy, garlicky sauce made with soy sauce, chili and ketchup. It is a restaurant favorite that you can easily make at home. For a lighter version, bake or air fry the cauliflower instead of deep frying. Have you ever ordered it at a restaurant?

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 1/2 cup flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, water, oil. Sauce: 4 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 green chili, 1/2 onion, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon chili sauce, green onions.

How to make it: Make a thick batter with flour, cornstarch, salt and water. Coat the florets and fry or air fry until crisp. Saute garlic, ginger, chili and onion for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce and a splash of water. Toss in the cauliflower and top with green onions.

Roasted Cauliflower Salad, One of the Best Cauliflower Recipes for Lunch

This warm salad mixes roasted cauliflower with chickpeas, herbs, dried cranberries and a tangy lemon dressing. It is filling enough for lunch and keeps well in the fridge, so it is perfect for meal prep. Add feta or toasted almonds for extra crunch and flavor. Quick poll: what would you add? A) feta B) almonds C) avocado D) chicken.

You will need: 1 head cauliflower, 1 can chickpeas, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup parsley, 1/4 cup feta. Dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey.

How to make it: Toss cauliflower and drained chickpeas with oil, cumin and salt. Roast at 425 F for 25 minutes. Whisk the dressing. Mix the warm vegetables with cranberries, parsley and dressing. Top with feta and serve warm or cold.