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15+ Cauliflower Recipes to Make Forever
Cauliflower is the nutritious cruciferous vegetable that’s very versatile and easy to pair with many different flavors. From roasted steaks, pasta, to flavorful sides, these recipes have all received 4- and 5-star ratings from readers. If you’re looking for inspiration for side dishes, dinner or lunch, recipes like our Cauliflower Steaks with Herb Butter or our Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta are delicious and creative ways to use this delicious and nutritious veggie.
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Cauliflower Steaks with Herb Butter
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Ruff, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
These cauliflower steaks with herb butter are a delicious side that pairs well with any main. Roasting the cauliflower leads to nice browning and brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable. Lemon zest and juice in the herb butter adds a pop of brightness and is so good, you’ll want to use it on other dishes like roasted potatoes or salmon.
Cauliflower alla Vodka
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen
This cauliflower alla vodka is the plant-based meal you need right now! Cauliflower soaks up the creamy vodka sauce beautifully, making it a satisfying alternative to pasta. For an easy shortcut, you can swap the homemade sauce for a jarred vodka sauce. It saves time without sacrificing that signature velvety texture and bold, tangy taste. If you go that route, just be aware that it could add extra sodium to the dish.
Ranch-Roasted Cauliflower
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Giovana Vazquez, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Ranch-roasted cauliflower is a bold, flavorful side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of cauliflower combined with an herb-packed coating. Garlic, onion and dill add a savory punch, while an optional squeeze of lemon offers a brighter flavor. Ranch-roasted cauliflower pairs with just about anything, and the versatile coating can work with other veggies like carrots, broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This creamy cauliflower pasta is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety and flavorful. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a satisfying dish that feels fancy without the fuss and is the ideal meal for a cozy weeknight dinner. Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chile flakes to elevate this easy, comforting classic even more!
Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This chile-lime roasted cauliflower is the perfect side to spice up your dinner! The combination of zesty lime and ancho chile powder creates a tangy, mildly spicy dish perfect for pairing with anything from tacos to roasted chicken or fish. If you enjoy an extra kick, add some cayenne pepper for a boost of heat.
Cacio e Pepe Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Hostein, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
This whole roasted cauliflower is a showstopping dish with the bold, classic flavors of cacio e pepe. Infused with cheesy, garlicky goodness, each bite is complemented by a kick of black pepper. Paired with a cool, creamy sauce, the warm, tender cauliflower creates the perfect contrast, making it as satisfying to eat as it is impressive to serve.
Cauliflower Spanakopita Melt
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cauliflower spanakopita melt is a dream come true! It blends the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, into the hand-held comfort and convenience of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chopped roasted cauliflower brings a healthy, veggie-packed twist. We cook these sandwiches in a skillet, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that to crisp them up instead.
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This roasted cauliflower with tahini-yogurt sauce takes simple roasted cauliflower to new heights with bold, Middle Eastern and North African–inspired flavors. Harissa sauce adds spice and complexity to the yogurt sauce. If you can’t find harissa sauce, you can use harissa paste in its place. However, since the paste is more concentrated, use only half the amount specified in the recipe.
Melting Garlic-Butter Cauliflower
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Garlic butter and Parmesan cheese coat tender cauliflower florets in this melt-in-your-mouth side dish. This dish works wonderfully alongside any protein, or make it a meatless main dish tossed with white beans and served with whole-wheat pasta.
Roasted Garlic-Butter Cauliflower Steaks
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
These roasted garlic-butter cauliflower steaks are a game-changer, turning a simple vegetable into a mouthwatering main dish. Thick slices of cauliflower are roasted to golden perfection, infused with the savory flavors of garlic butter. Whether you’re a longtime vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, these cauliflower steaks won’t disappoint. If you have extra cauliflower florets after cutting the steaks, roast them alongside the steaks or chop them up for salad the next day.
Crispy Orange Cauliflower
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Ruff, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This crispy orange cauliflower is a plant-based twist on the classic Chinese American dish, orange chicken. It features cauliflower florets coated in a light, crispy batter, fried until crispy and then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve it over steamed brown rice with stir-fried tofu and veggies for a vibrant, wholesome meal.
Crispy Curried Cauliflower Bites
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
These curried cauliflower bites are paired with a creamy dipping sauce that features kefir—a fermented, yogurt-like drink that’s rich in probiotics that can help support gut health. You can swap out the kefir for plain yogurt thinned with a little water if you prefer.
Parmesan-Crusted Cauliflower
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This Parmesan-crusted cauliflower is a delicious dish that features tender cauliflower florets with a crispy, golden Parmesan cheese crust. Finishing the dish with lemon zest and parsley adds a nice brightness. Serve this dish alongside roast chicken, pork and more.
Crispy Parmesan Bubble Cauliflower
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
These crispy cauliflower bites were inspired by the viral TikTok trend Bubble Potatoes. This version replaces the potato with cauliflower but sticks to the combination of rice flour and potato starch to ensure a crispy outside and creamy, tender inside. Serve these cauliflower bites with your favorite dipping sauce.
General Tso’s Cauliflower
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
This plant-based version of General Tso’s chicken is the perfect weeknight meal, swapping chicken for cauliflower with a boost of vibrant green color and gut-healthy fiber coming from edamame. Serve it over brown rice or whole-wheat noodles to sop up any leftover sauce.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Feta & Pomegranate
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop stylist: Lindsey Lower
This whole roasted cauliflower recipe features warming spices on a bed of tangy whipped feta. Juicy pomegranate arils add a pop of sweet-tart flavors that offer a delightful contrast to the creamy feta and bold spices. For maximum flavor, add cloves to the spice mix for an added layer of aromatic sweetness.
Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This Buffalo cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy. Feel free to swap out the rice for another whole grain.
Spiced Cauliflower & Whipped Ricotta Pitas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Spiced cauliflower bites sit atop a bright and nutty walnut spread layered with creamy whipped ricotta in this delicious open-face sandwich. The cauliflower bites are flavored with shawarma seasoning, a complex Middle Eastern spice blend that can include cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric and more. These cauliflower bites blend seamlessly with the flavors of both spreads on pita bread, but you can make the cauliflower bites separately and serve them as a side dish or appetizer.
Cauliflower Chips
These crisp cauliflower chips are low in carbs and can be made in either the oven or your air fryer. Plus, they require just cauliflower, Parmesan cheese and seasonings to make! Swap out the Italian seasoning for ranch seasoning or your favorite spice blend for a different flavor profile.
Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.
