15 Easy Cauliflower Recipes

These recipes are vegetarian, vegan–friendly, and great for family dinners too.

Cauliflower side dishes

As the weather cools down a little and autumn falls upon us, we slowly start craving seasonal wintery side dishes. Cauliflower is definitely on top of our list, it has a comforting, buttery, and earthy flavor and pairs well with most mains. Get wholesome and tasty side dish inspiration with these bright and easy-to-make recipes.

3. Roasted cauliflower

Tender, buttery, and aromatic, this roasted cauliflower recipe can be used in so many different ways. Add it to your favorite pasta (red pepper pasta or pasta aglio olio), to salads (try our cauliflower salad, lentil cauliflower salad, or have it as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

2. Air fryer cauliflower

An air fryer can cook cauliflower florets in 12 to 15 minutes, and the result is perfectly roasted air fryer cauliflower. You’ll get slightly charred cauliflower florets, they’re tender–crisp and retain most of their nutritional properties.

6. Whole roasted cauliflower

This vibrant and loaded roasted cauliflower is drizzled with harissa, chimichurri sauce, and fresh herbs. It’s a delicious centerpiece or side dish for a Middle-Eastern-inspired dinner. Its neutral flavor and appealing texture make it the perfect side dish for curries, soups, stews, stir-fries, or any meal with a sauce.

5. Roasted broccoli and cauliflower

A handy vegetable side dish with plenty of fiber and flavor – roasted broccoli and cauliflower pair well with almost any main dish. Season the veggies with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast and sprinkle them with red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon juice. Optionally, you can add grated parmesan cheese or its dairy-free alternative to make this side dish even tastier.

9. Creamy cauliflower soup

When it comes to fall and winter veggies, cauliflower is hard to beat; a homemade roasted cauliflower soup is one of our favorite cozy meals. You’ll learn how to roast multiple veggies to perfection on the same baking tray and with a simple seasoning. The result is a colorful, nutritious, and tasty dish that everyone will love.

Cauliflower main meals

Take your pick from easy and wholesome salads, pasta dishes, soups, and stews. These easy dinners and meal-prep-friendly meals are all made with simple ingredients and plant-based protein.

8. Roasted cauliflower salad

Creamy, smoky, earthy, tahini-packed, and tasty, this cauliflower salad is a Mediterranean-inspired recipe that will leave you nourished and satiated for hours. Roast the cauliflower florets in the oven or air fryer until tender-crisp and slightly charred outside to get a pleasantly smoky flavor. It has a creamy, buttery texture and a mellow nutty, and cheesy taste, although there’s no cheese in it. Easy to make, healthy, and amazingly delicious, especially with homemade croutons on top!

15. Tofu curry with cauliflower

You can make this easy tofu curry recipe from scratch in less than 30 minutes, in one pot, without pressing the tofu. Serve this vegan curry on basmati rice or homemade flatbread with some fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon. It’s an easy, nutritious, and fulfilling family-friendly dinner. This recipe has a rich, well-developed flavor and a creamy texture thanks to our creaminess-boosting trick, yet, it requires minimal effort on your part.

11. Easy cauliflower alfredo

Love Alfredo sauce but are looking for something lighter and healthier to feed your family? You’ll love this easy and tasty cauliflower Alfredo sauce – ready in 30 minutes with simple ingredients. What makes this recipe light, ultra-creamy, and nutritious is cauliflower, steamed, or boiled. It’s a great recipe if you’re looking for a low-fat Alfredo sauce, or a quick pasta for a weeknight dinner! This cauliflower pasta dish is so simple and tasty you’ll be surprised. It requires minimal effort, and the sauce takes 2 minutes to make.

13. Red pepper pasta with roasted cauliflower

Creamy roasted red pepper pasta sauce is irresistible, and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s a great idea for a last-minute pasta dish during busy weeknights. With its buttery and earthy taste, the sauce pairs perfectly with tender-crisp, smokey roasted cauliflower. It’s a restaurant-worthy meal when combined with creamy, nutty, and peppery sauce.

14. Cauliflower lentil salad

Here’s a different yet easy and delicious cauliflower lentil salad recipe with healthy and nutritious ingredients. Smokey oven-roasted cauliflower meets earthy lentils, fresh parsley, and an aromatic and creamy cumin dressing in one of our favorite Mediterranean-inspired dishes.The recipe is easy, we use very simple ingredients, and you can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for several days.

What does cauliflower pair well with?

Cauliflower is a neutral–flavored vegetable that pairs well with stews, soups, pasta, and a variety of legumes:

Italian bean stewEasy chickpea soupTuscan soupPasta e FagioliRustic lentil soupEasy lentil pasta

How to store these cauliflower recipes

Store cauliflower recipe leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat in the microwave. We don’t recommend freezing these meals.

Tuscan Bean Stew

Lentil Soup

Tuscan White Bean Soup

Pasta e Fagioli

Yes, I would wash my cauliflower to remove dirt, dust, and debris from transportation and storage. However, make sure to dry the florets well before roasting them to prevent the cauliflower from getting mushy. How to choose the right cauliflower We make these recipes with a large head of white cauliflower, but you can also use orange cauliflower, green cauliflower, and purple cauliflower varieties. Although these varieties are less popular, they are still delicious and richer in antioxidants. Is cauliflower healthy? Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable packed with vitamins C and K. It contains good amounts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s also rich in Glucosinolates, which have anti-inflammatory properties and protect our cells from damage. For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page. [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”eYakTXD0″ upload-date=”2022-12-07T11:03:52.000Z” name=”Cauliflower Potato Mash.mov” description=”Creamy, comforting, and fluffy, cauliflower mashed potatoes is a tasty and light alternative to classic mashed potatoes.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

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Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients. Easy right? Comment * Name Email Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me when Louise or Nico reply to my comment.

Δ Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.