It’s always great to have go-to side dishes on hand (especially one loaded with vegetables), like our Roasted Cauliflower recipe! Roasting cauliflower may seem simple, there are a few basic steps that should be taken to produce perfectly tender-crisp cauliflower.
Our recipe uses simple ingredients and produces perfectly textured and flavorful roasted cauliflower every single time! We both make this recipe multiple times a week because it’s so simple and delicious. It’s also the perfect side dish to serve alongside a plethora of main dishes! The mild flavor profile of cauliflower makes it the perfect multi-purpose vegetable!
How to Make Our Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Process
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- In a large bowl combine cauliflower, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Toss mixture together until florets are well and evenly coated.
- Next, transfer florets onto a baking sheet in an even layer.
- Then bake cauliflower for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender and caramelized.
- Finally, top with lemon zest and a sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Gently toss together and serve.
Watch us make our easy and flavorful Roasted Cauliflower!
Tools You Will Need
Air Fryer Instruction for Roasted Cauliflower
It’s so easy to convert our roasted cauliflower recipe into an air-fried cauliflower recipe.
Preheat air fryer to 375˚F. Season and oil cauliflower florets as directed from the oven recipe. Lightly coat air fryer basket with cooking spray oil. Then add florets into basket in an even, single layer (don’t overcrowd for even cooking). Air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes.
Prep Ahead, Leftover Storage and Reheating Instructions for Roasted Cauliflower
Prep Ahead
The cauliflower can be chopped into florets and stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Leftover Storage
Leftovers can be transferred into an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Roasted cauliflower can be reheated in the microwave, on the stove and in the oven.
- Reheating in microwave: Transfer cauliflower to a microwave-safe plate and top with a damp paper towel or microwave plate cover, then heat on high for 1 to 2 minutes (until cauliflower is heated through).
- Reheating in oven: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Spread leftover cauliflower onto a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until cauliflower has just heated through.
- Reheating on stovetop: Place a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil and swish oil around pan so the entire surface has a very thin layer of oil. Add roasted cauliflower to pan and heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every minute so cauliflower warms evenly.
Seasoning Variations
There are so many different seasoning variations for our roasted cauliflower recipe. I love flavoring the florets based on personal/guest preference as well as what other dishes I’m serving. Some of my favorite herbs, spices and seasonings to use are:
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- thyme
- rosemary
- oregano
- cumin
- cayenne pepper
- curry powder
- onion powder
- lemon juice/zest
- crushed red pepper flakes
- smoked paprika
What to Serve with Roasted Cauliflower?
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Seared Ribeye
- Shrimp Scampi
- Oven Roasted Branzino
- Roasted Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- You can also put them in tacos, for a delicious vegetarian friendly taco meal!
More Delicious Cauliflower Recipes You Will Love
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower Tots
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Over Hummus
- Honey-Garlic Cauliflower
- Creamy Baked Cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds cauliflower, trimmed and cut into bite sized florets (from 1 large or 2 small heads)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- In a large bowl combine cauliflower, oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Toss mixture together until florets are well and evenly coated.
- Transfer florets onto a baking sheet in and even layer.
- Bake cauliflower for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender and caramelized.
- Top with lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Gently toss together and serve.
Did you make this recipe? We want to see!
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I LOVE roasted cauliflower (roasted anything actually) but hadn’t ever thought of adding pepper flakes. Will definitely give that a try!