10+ Easy Cauliflower Recipes for Deliciously Simple Meals
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many simple and delicious recipes. Discovering easy cauliflower recipes can inspire you to create healthy meals that everyone in your family will enjoy. This adaptable ingredient can be roasted, sautéed, or turned into tasty side dishes that complement any main course.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful addition to your meal prep, you’ll find plenty of options here. Get ready to explore a variety of easy-to-make recipes that highlight the unique taste and texture of cauliflower, making it a staple in your kitchen.
1) Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Garlic Parmesan roasted cauliflower is a tasty side dish that’s simple to make. You’ll love how the outside gets crispy while the inside stays tender. The garlic and Parmesan flavors really bring this dish to life.
To make this recipe, start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut a head of cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Toss them in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You want it to be nicely browned and crispy on the edges.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cut the cauliflower into florets.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Toss the cauliflower in the mixture.
- Spread on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until crispy.
2) Lemon Herb Cauliflower Steaks
Lemon herb cauliflower steaks are a tasty and simple dish you can make any day. Start with fresh cauliflower, cut it into thick slices, and season with lemon, garlic, and herbs. The bright flavors make this recipe stand out.
To prepare, drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil. Then add minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also use your favorite herbs for extra flavor.
Roast the steaks in the oven at 425°F (220°C) or grill them until tender. This method will give you a deliciously caramelized texture.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme), optional
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cut cauliflower into thick steaks.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
3) Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a tasty twist on traditional buffalo wings. They’re simple to make and perfect for a snack or party food. You will love the spicy kick and crispy texture.
To start, you’ll need cauliflower florets, flour, garlic powder, and hot sauce. You can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 22 ounces cauliflower florets
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- In a bowl, mix water, flour, and garlic powder.
- Dip cauliflower florets into the batter, coating well.
- Spread them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until crispy.
- Toss with hot sauce and serve.
4) Cauliflower Fried ‘Rice’
Cauliflower fried rice is a tasty and healthy twist on a classic dish. It uses riced cauliflower instead of regular rice, making it low-carb and packed with veggies.
To make this dish, you’ll need to stir fry the cauliflower with your favorite vegetables. You can add eggs or tofu for extra protein. Season it with soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari for flavor.
Cauliflower fried rice is quick to prepare, often ready in about 15 minutes. It makes a wonderful side dish or a filling main course.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, riced
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (like peas and carrots)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 eggs or ½ cup tofu, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Instructions
- Rice the cauliflower in a food processor or buy pre-riced cauliflower.
- Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add mixed vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Push veggies to one side; add eggs or tofu and scramble.
- Stir in riced cauliflower and soy sauce.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!
5) Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Creamy cauliflower soup is delicious and easy to make. You’ll love how roasted cauliflower gives it a rich flavor. This soup is perfect for warming you up on chilly days.
To get started, gather your ingredients. You can blend the soup until it’s silky smooth. Using a little butter instead of cream keeps it creamy but lighter.
You can personalize your soup by adding garlic or herbs. It pairs well with crusty bread for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes until golden.
- In a pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Add the roasted cauliflower, potato, and broth.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
6) Cauliflower Tacos with Slaw
Cauliflower tacos are a delicious and easy meal option. You can enjoy them as a vegan dish or a fun twist on taco night. Roasting the cauliflower adds flavor, making these tacos a hit.
For the tacos, you’ll need roasted cauliflower mixed with crisp cabbage slaw. A dash of guacamole or a creamy sauce can elevate the taste even more. These tacos are healthy and can be prepared in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 avocado, mashed
- Corn tortillas
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss chopped cauliflower with olive oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cabbage slaw.
- Warm the corn tortillas.
- Assemble tacos by adding roasted cauliflower, slaw, and mashed avocado. Enjoy!
7) Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Cauliflower mac and cheese is a tasty way to enjoy a classic dish with fewer carbs. You use cauliflower instead of pasta, making it a great option for a healthy meal.
To make this dish, you will need some cheese, cream, and spices to enhance the flavors. It’s creamy and comforting, just like regular mac and cheese.
You can customize your dish by adding various toppings like breadcrumbs or extra veggies. It’s simple to prepare and makes for a perfect side or main dish.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: breadcrumbs or extra cheese for topping
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Steam or boil the cauliflower until tender.
- In a bowl, mix the cream, cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the cauliflower with the cheese mixture.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs or extra cheese if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8) BBQ Cauliflower Wings
BBQ cauliflower wings are a tasty and simple recipe that you can enjoy as a snack or appetizer. They are great for game day or any gathering with friends.
To make these wings, start by breaking a large head of cauliflower into florets. You’ll dip them in a batter made of flour, water, spices, and salt, then coat them with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy finish.
Bake them at 425°F (220°C) until golden brown, then toss them in your favorite BBQ sauce for extra flavor. Serve them hot and watch them disappear!
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- Spices (your choice)
- Salt
- Panko breadcrumbs
- BBQ sauce (your favorite)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Break the cauliflower into florets.
- Mix flour, water, spices, and salt for the batter.
- Dip cauliflower florets in the batter.
- Coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until crispy.
- Toss with BBQ sauce before serving.
9) Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Making a cauliflower pizza crust is both simple and fun. This crust is a great gluten-free option that is low in carbs. You can enjoy pizza without the guilt!
To start, you will need cooked cauliflower, cheese, and an egg. These ingredients come together to create a tasty base for your favorite toppings.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). After that, process the cauliflower into rice-sized pieces and mix everything in a bowl. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Process the cauliflower into rice-sized pieces.
- Mix cauliflower, cheeses, egg, and seasonings in a bowl.
- Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
10) Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Cauliflower and chickpea curry is a tasty and healthy dish. It combines the goodness of cauliflower with the protein from chickpeas. This recipe is simple and can be made in one pot.
You can spice it up with your favorite herbs and spices. Mixing in a creamy tomato sauce gives it a rich flavor. Serve it over rice or enjoy it on its own.
This dish is perfect for a quick dinner and is vegan too. You’ll find it hearty and satisfying!
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, chopped
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
- Stir in curry powder, cook for 1 minute.
- Add cauliflower, chickpeas, tomatoes, and coconut milk.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, until cauliflower is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.