Roasted Cauliflower

Our Roasted Cauliflower recipe is a classic for a reason. The simplicity, prep time and flavor are all reasons why you should be making this tonight. Fiber-rich cauliflower is roasted to perfection at high heat with heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil, aromatic garlic powder, salt and pepper. We also place the lemon wedges in the roasting pan to add more depth to the lemon flavor and to soften them, which yields more juice. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end gives the most delicious salty umami flavors, which perfectly complement the cauliflower. Top with the bright, fresh parsley, and you’ve got a winning side. Keep reading for our expert tips on choosing your cauliflower, using this recipe for other veggies and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• A couple of time-savers include using pre-cut cauliflower florets. And while we prefer the flavor and texture of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, you can also use pre-grated Parm if desired.
• Cauliflower is available in not just white, but also purple, orange and green varieties. Feel free to use any color you prefer or even a combination of colors, as they all cook similarly and shouldn’t change color much when roasted.
• This recipe is also great for roasting broccoli.
• We roast the lemon halves to soften their acidity.

Nutrition Notes

• Cauliflower is often overlooked because it is white and doesn’t fit the “eat the rainbow” narrative. Don’t let its outward appearance fool you; it’s packed with nutrition. As a member of the cruciferous veggies club, it contains cancer-fighting antioxidants. It’s also a fiber powerhouse—great for digestive health. 
• Extra-virgin olive oil is a heart-healthy fat that also contains polyphenols that have been linked to lowering inflammation. Olive oil can be used for roasting and as an oil for dressings.
• Parmesan cheese is a low-lactose cheese that is also high in calcium—excellent for bone health and muscle contraction. Parmesan cheese is typically made with animal rennet, which would make it not suitable for a vegetarian diet. If you’re following a vegetarian dietary pattern, look for parmesan made without this ingredient. Vegetarian-friendly parmesan cheese is often labeled as vegetarian.