A popular cruciferous veggie gets a gourmet treatment in this quick and easy Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
Everyone’s hip to cauliflower these days. It’s low-carb, it absorbs the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with, and it’s fairly inexpensive. You can even chop it up and make a pizza crust out of it! But let’s face it—cauliflower by itself won’t win any awards for flavor. It’s healthy, yes, but by itself, it’s rather bland.
Thank the gods for the existence of cheese! A great many things are made better with a cheese topping, and roasted cauliflower is one of them. Adding a little bit (or a lotta bit) of cheese on top of oven-roasted cauliflower adds a hearty, salty element that makes me want to eat the whole head!
This recipe for cheesy roasted cauliflower will give you that hearty saltiness and more. It adds oregano and rosemary for an herby flavor, and lime juice for a slight tang! You and your family will love this cauliflower as a side for dinner.
Is This Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Healthy?
Yes, this cheesy cauliflower is healthy, even with all the cheese on top! Most of this dish consists of cauliflower, which is low in carbs, fat, and calories, while being high in folate and vitamins C and K. It also provides some fiber. The nutritional content of the cheese will vary slightly depending on which cheese you choose. Generally, a cow’s milk cheese will be high in calories per ounce, but will contain some protein, fat, and calcium, along with some trace minerals like phosphorus. The olive oil brings healthy fats to the recipe, and lime juice gives a little bit of vitamin C.
Overall, this recipe is vegetarian and low-carb, but you can make it vegan and dairy-free by substituting vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for the regular dairy cheese. To make it a little bit healthier, simply use less cheese!
Which Types of Cheeses Do You Recommend?
The recipe calls for a hard cheese—think along the lines of Parmesan, Cotija, or Pecorino Romano. These cheeses are drier and more robust in flavor than many young or soft cheeses. You can also opt for semi-hard cheeses like Havarti, Gruyère, or Fontina. But, if you have a favorite soft or fresh cheese, feel free to use that cheese for this recipe instead. In that case, I would simply add it on at the very end. No need to bake for an additional 10 minutes.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the cauliflower cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–5 days. You can reheat the cauliflower in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
You can also freeze the leftovers. Leave florets on the baking sheet and flash-freeze them until they’ve hardened. Then, transfer the florets to freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Like any good side dish, roasted cauliflower plays well with others. Serve this cauliflower with other side dishes like Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or Snow Peas. It works well with entrées like Crispy Breaded Chicken In The Air Fryer, Crispy Air-Fried Fish, or No-Bean Keto Chili In The Instant Pot. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with your favorite dishes! And don’t feel forced into pairing this cauliflower with anything—you can eat it all by itself if you want to.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 cups grated hard cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven for 350°F. Cut the cauliflower into florets.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, lime juice, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Douse with the oil-herb sauce and mix together. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the florets, then bake for 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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