If you are looking for a delicious way to cook cauliflower, this smoky roasted cauliflower might be your new favorite. All you need is a handful of ingredients and your cauliflower will be transformed. This makes an amazing side dish but can also be used as filling for tacos, wraps and more.
Cauliflower is an amazing vegetable because it goes well with any type of seasoning. In this recipe, I use smoked paprika and other simple spices to flavor it. The cauliflower is baked to perfection with a bold taste without being spicy.
If you're looking for a spicy cauliflower recipe, try out my baked buffalo cauliflower bites. Or for another delicious way to make it, try my roasted cauliflower potato soup.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful but not spicy: The smoky flavor makes this cauliflower a crowd pleaser.
- Versatile: We love this as a side dish but it also makes an amazing taco or wrap filling.
- Easy to change up: This cauliflower will taste completely different with just a change of seasoning. See below.
Ingredient Notes
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish.
- Cauliflower - You'll need a whole medium sized head of fresh cauliflower. Make sure to inspect it to ensure there are no brown spots.
- Smoked paprika - Smoked paprika is what makes this dish! Do not substitute with regular paprika.
Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and amounts needed.
Variations
You can play around with the spices to change the flavor of this dish.
- Make it spicy! Add some chili powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a few splashes of hot sauce.
- Make it "cheesy". Add in a little nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese.
- Make it Indian-inspired. Add in about 1 teaspoon of curry powder to the spice mixture.
- Make it citrusy. Add some lemon zest when combining with the spices and a splash of fresh lemon juice on the finished cauliflower.
How To Make Smoky Roasted Cauliflower
Step 1: To start, preheat oven to 425°. Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Next, wash and cut the cauliflower into even sized florets. I like cutting them into small florets, around bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices: the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step 4: Place cauliflower pieces in a large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil on top. Use a wooden spoon to stir and toss to coat.
Step 5: Add the seasonings and stir well to evenly distribute.
Step 6: Place the seasoned cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer with the flat sides down. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Flip the cauliflower over and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: Plate and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- If the cauliflower florets are too varied in size, they won't cook evenly.
- I try not to cook with too much oil but if you think you need more, it's fine to add up to 1-2 tablespoons extra.
- Make sure you stir the cauliflower with the spices enough so that it's evenly distributed. You don't want to have one piece with a ton of seasoning while other pieces have very little.
- Make sure the baking pan isn't too crowded with cauliflower and that the smaller pieces are towards the center. (The edges of the pan get the hottest.)
Storage and Recipe FAQs
Let the roast cauliflower cool to room temperature. Store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The best way to reheat it is in the oven. You can also microwave it but it will be super soft.
Start by removing the leaves and trimming the stem to ensure even cooking. Then, cut it into bite-sized florets or go for the "cauliflower steak" approach by slicing it into thick slabs. Either way, it's an easy recipe!
Absolutely! Use it in tacos, wraps, or grain bowls for added texture and flavor. You can also blend it into a creamy soup or toss it with pasta for a unique twist on your favorite dishes.
Sure! I would increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes or so if you are cutting your cauliflower into "steaks" instead of florets.
Absolutely! Air fry the cauliflower at about 375 degrees for around 15 minutes. Make sure you flip it have way through.
More Veggie Side Dishes
If you tried this Smoky Roasted Cauliflower Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Easy Smoky Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- cauliflower head
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Wash and cut the cauliflower into even sized florets.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Place the cauliflower in a large bowl and drizzle the olive oil on top. Use a spatula to stir and toss to coat. Add the seasonings and stir well to evenly distribute.
- Place the seasoned cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Flip the cauliflower over and bake for another 10-15 minutes until done.
- Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Cutting board
Notes
- Make sure you stir the cauliflower with the spices enough so that it's evenly distributed. You don't want to have one piece with a ton of seasoning while other pieces have very little.
- Make sure the baking pan isn't too crowded with cauliflower. Also, put the smaller pieces are towards the center and the larger pieces towards the edges. (The edges of the pan get the hottest.)
Jen says
This is my go-to recipe for cauliflower when I want a lot of flavor but not spice. Super tasty and I love it in a wrap with hummus for lunch.