Description
Whole roasted cauliflower brings a simple yet spectacular side dish straight from Mediterranean kitchens to your dinner table. Perfectly seasoned and golden brown, this veggie centerpiece delivers serious flavor with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4 large garlic cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs
- Flaky sea salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 400°F and position the rack in the center to ensure even roasting.
- Carefully trim the cauliflower’s stem so it sits flat, keeping the whole head intact.
- Mix 6 tablespoons softened butter with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and your peppers until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a cast-iron skillet, using your hands to massage the entire butter mixture into every crevice of the vegetable.
- Loosely tent the skillet with aluminum foil and roast for 40-45 minutes, allowing the cauliflower to become tender.
- Remove the foil and brush the cauliflower with the pan’s accumulated drippings, then lower the oven temperature to 375°F.
- Continue roasting uncovered for 20-25 minutes, basting every 8-10 minutes to develop a rich, golden exterior.
- Sprinkle ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and crisp.
- Allow the cauliflower to rest 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Finish by garnishing with 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs, a pinch of flaky sea salt, and a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
- Select a fresh, firm cauliflower with compact, tight florets for the best roasting results.
- Ensure butter is softened completely to create a smooth, even coating that helps develop a beautiful golden crust.
- When applying the butter mixture, massage it gently into every nook and cranny of the cauliflower to maximize flavor and even browning.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to maintain a rich, savory profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg