Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

This homemade Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower is the perfect side dish, and it’s so delicious you might find yourself enjoying it straight from the pan as a healthy snack.

This cauliflower recipe is quick and easy to prepare, and its crispy golden edges and savory flavor will elevate any meal, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

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We love roasted vegetable side dishes, from Roasted Carrots recipe to the best Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli. If you are a fan of vegetable sides that are good enough to snack on, this Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan Cheese recipe is a must-try!

Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower

If I’m being honest, my kids don’t always get excited about vegetables, but they can’t resist this cheesy parmesan roasted cauliflower. They especially love picking off the crispy, browned bits of cheese from the baking sheet.

Adding both Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses is such an easy way to dress up classic Roasted Cauliflower and make it a family favorite! This is one of those veggie dishes that most kids won’t even realize is healthy for them!

Ingredients for Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

The key to making great Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower is making sure you use the right ingredients to ensure evenly roasted florets so you get those coveted crispy edges on each piece of cauliflower.

• Head of Cauliflower – cored and cut into florets
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – helps the cauliflower roast evenly, ensuring a crispy texture on the outside, and helps to hold the parmesan cheese onto the cauliflower florets
• Parmesan Cheese – finely grated, adds a sharp, nutty flavor and helps create a crispy, golden crust on the cauliflower.
• Mozzarella Cheese – use low moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded. Adds a melty, gooey cheese texture that contrasts nicely with the crispiness of the roasted cauliflower. Using low-moisture mozzarella prevents excess liquid, which helps to keep the cauliflower crisp.
• Garlic Cloves – finely minced, infuses the dish with a bold, savory flavor that complements the cheeses. You can sub with 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch.
• Ground Paprika – adds a subtle smoky flavor and a hint of color.
• Salt and Pepper – Essential for seasoning, enhancing, and balancing the flavors of all the ingredients.

How to Choose a Good Head of Cauliflower

To choose a good head of cauliflower, look for one that is firm and has a vibrant, creamy white color. The florets should be tightly packed, and the outer leaves should be fresh and green. Avoid heads with dark spots, wilted leaves, or loose, spreading florets which may indicate that it is spoiled or overripe. Smaller to medium-sized heads are often sweeter and more tender. Cauliflower is high in fiber and low in calories, making it the perfect vegetable to fill up on without the guilt. By checking these factors, you can select a cauliflower that is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for your recipes.

How to Make Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

• Preheat your oven to 425°F with the rack in the center of the oven. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare the Cauliflower – Cut the cauliflower in half to remove the stem, or use a paring knife to cut the stem out from the bottom. Slice the cauliflower into evenly sized-florets. I like to cut larger florets in half to create little cauliflower steaks with a flat side for roasting and easier topping with cheese after you flip them. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.

3. Season – Place the cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl (or season and toss them directly on the baking sheet). Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt, paprika, and black pepper. Add the minced garlic and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the cauliflower is well-coated with oil and seasonings.

4. Roast – Place the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet cut-side down. Bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Next, flip the florets, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese, and add mozzarella cheese (if using) and roast for another 6-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the cauliflower is fork-tender.

5. Serve the parmesan roasted cauliflower along with any cheese bits on the pan – they are so tasty!

What to Serve With Cauliflower

Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower is a side that pairs wonderfully with almost any protein or vegetarian entree. Here are some of our favorites:

• Chicken: With roasted or Spatchcock Chicken, Lemon Chicken
• Beef: Pan-seared Steak, or Grilled Steak
• Seafood: Pan-seared Salmon, Salmon Cakes, or Cilantro Lime Shrimp
• Casseroles: Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan, or Chicken Tetrazzini
• Salads: Greek Salad, Chickpea Salad, and Italian Pasta Salad… eat it on the side or chop it up and add it right into the salad. You won’t regret it.

More Favorite Side Recipes

If you love this Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower recipe, then you won’t want to miss these other side dishes. Each one brings its own unique flavor and texture to the table, making them perfect complements to any meal.

• Smashed Potato Salad
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Roasted Butternut Squash
• Spaghetti Squash
• Blistered Shishito Peppers
• Zucchini Crisps
• Sauteed Mushrooms
• Easy Boiled Potatoes

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