Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Butter Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Whole roasted cauliflower is a stunning and flavorful dish that makes a perfect centerpiece for any meal. Coated in a rich butter sauce and topped with Parmesan, it’s both simple to prepare and delicious. Whether as a side or main, this recipe will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 medium-large head of cauliflower
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ tsp salt, to taste
• ¼ tsp pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Prepare the cauliflower by cutting off the bottom leaves and trimming as much of the thick white stalk as possible without breaking the head.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, olive or avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Step 4: Place the cauliflower in a Dutch oven or baking dish, core side down. Brush the butter mixture evenly over the entire cauliflower.
5. Step 5: Cover the cauliflower with aluminum foil or parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the foil and continue baking the cauliflower for an additional 10–20 minutes uncovered.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese over the top of the cauliflower.
8. Step 8: Switch the oven to high broil and roast the cauliflower for another 3–5 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm alongside your favorite protein.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicy twist, replace the Italian seasoning with taco seasoning or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.
• To make this recipe vegan, use olive oil instead of butter and substitute Parmesan cheese with 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
• Make sure to cover the cauliflower while baking initially to ensure it cooks evenly and stays moist.
• Use a sharp knife to carefully trim the base without breaking the head so it holds its shape during roasting.

Storage

Store leftover roasted cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Reheating in the oven helps maintain its texture better than the microwave.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I roast a smaller head of cauliflower using this recipe?

Yes, adjust the cooking time accordingly. A smaller cauliflower will roast faster, so start checking for tenderness after about 25 minutes.

What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?

Use any oven-safe baking dish or roasting pan that can hold the cauliflower snugly. Just be sure to cover it well to retain moisture during the initial bake.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Butter Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 78 reviews

A delicious and visually impressive whole roasted cauliflower recipe cooked in the oven and topped with a flavorful butter sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. This recipe is perfect as a vegetarian main or side dish and can be easily adapted for vegan diets.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Vegetarian Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower

• 1 medium-large head of cauliflower

Butter Sauce & Seasoning

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt, to taste
• ¼ tsp pepper, to taste

Toppings

• 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the cauliflower.
2. Prepare Cauliflower: Remove the bottom leaves and trim as much of the thick white stalk as possible from the cauliflower head, keeping it whole.
3. Make Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, olive or avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well blended.
4. Brush Cauliflower: Place the cauliflower core side down in a Dutch oven or baking dish. Brush the butter mixture evenly all over the surface of the cauliflower.
5. Initial Bake: Cover the cauliflower with aluminum foil or parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to start the roasting process and ensure tenderness.
6. Continue Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes, allowing the cauliflower to begin browning and drying out slightly.
7. Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese on top of the cauliflower evenly.
8. Broil for Color: Adjust the oven to high broil setting and roast for 3-5 minutes more, until the cauliflower develops a golden brown color and the cheese melts.
9. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve alongside your favorite protein or as a vegetarian main dish.
10. Optional Variations: For a spicy flavor, replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning or add red pepper flakes. For a vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil and use 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Ensure the cauliflower is thoroughly coated with the butter mixture for maximum flavor.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the cauliflower; test for tenderness by inserting a knife or skewer.
• Covering the cauliflower initially helps it cook evenly and retain moisture.
• Broiling at the end adds a desirable golden crust and enhances flavor.
• For vegan adaptation, nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor without dairy.
• You can serve this dish as a side or a main for vegetarians.

Keywords: roasted cauliflower, butter sauce, baked cauliflower, vegetarian recipe, easy side dish, parmesan cauliflower