This easy roasted cauliflower with garlic recipe is ready in just 30 minutes! It's our favorite way to cook cauliflower. The cauliflower crisps up, and the garlic caramelizes in the oven, creating a healthy side dish.
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Why We Love This Dish
Roasted cauliflower goes with almost anything. It's very low carb, low in calories, and very filling.
The combination of crispy cauliflower and caramelized garlic creates a satisfyingly savory taste that pairs well with almost any main course.
Whether served as a side dish or the star of the meal, roasted cauliflower with garlic is sure to impress with its crispy texture and sweet flavor.
Shopping and Storage
When selecting a cauliflower head at the grocery store, look for those with clean, tightly packed florets devoid of any grey or brown spots, and check that the leaves are crisp and green. Brown spots might suggest aging, so look for something else.
For storage, take the whole head of cauliflower out of its original packaging and transfer it into a clean plastic bag. It's best to store it whole, but if needed, you can cut it up; it should stay fresh for approximately two to three days.
Garlic should be stored in a cool, dry location away from onions and direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard works well. Do not refrigerate. Refrigeration can cause garlic to sprout and become rubbery.
What You Need
- Large head of cauliflower
- Fresh garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley
How to Quickly Peel The Garlic
To peel garlic easily, separate the cloves and place them in the microwave for about 15 seconds. The heat will loosen the skins, making them easier to peel.
Once the peels are loose, smash the cloves with the side of a large knife, trim the woody stem, and remove any paper hanging off each clove of garlic.
How To Roast Cauliflower and Garlic
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim off the green leaves and stems of the cauliflower. Detach the florets and cut through the base of each one to create smaller florets. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Microwave the garlic on full power for 15 seconds. Then, smash the garlic with the side of a wide chef's knife. Trim the woody stem and any paper hanging off each clove—place in the mixing bowl with the cauliflower.
- Add oil, salt, and pepper, and toss with your hands until all the cauliflower and garlic are evenly coated. (Use only enough oil to coat the cauliflower--it shouldn't be drenched.)
- Spread cauliflower pieces and garlic in a single layer on a baking sheet leaving a little space between each piece. Roast for about 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven.
- Season with salt and pepper. Scatter parsley over the cauliflower.
In the photo below, you can see that there is plenty of room around the cauliflower and garlic. They caramelize nicely and get super crispy.
Seasonings
You can sprinkle these seasonings on your cauliflower to add flavor!
- Sweet Hungarian paprika or smoked paprika
- Serve with lemon wedges or season the hot cauliflower with lemon juice.
- Dried herbs including rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning (we put this on fish, but it works on veggies too)
- For Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, sprinkle Locatelli (Romano) cheese or Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes of roasting.
If you love to eat lots of garlic, try roasting whole garlic bulbs. This recipe for Roasted Garlic shows you how to roast a whole head of garlic that turns silky and sweet in the oven. It's excellent!
What Main Dish Goes with Roasted Cauliflower?
I like roasted snapper, lamb chops, or a big steak with roasted cauliflower.
Try these recipes to go with your cauliflower:
- Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
- Fresh Blackened Swordfish
- Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Old Bay
- Pan Fried Snapper
- Lemon Basil Roasted Chicken
- Broiled Snapper
- Air Fryer Snapper with Cauliflower is a meal made entirely in an air fryer. Learn how to roast cauliflower in an air fryer and a piece of fish with this recipe.
Final Takeaway
This roasted garlic cauliflower recipe makes a healthy side dish with only a handful of ingredients. Crispy cauliflower bites with garlic are a nutritional powerhouse, offering protein and fiber.
The crispy edges of the cauliflower add great crunch, so make sure not to overcrowd the sheet pan. If the pan is crowded, the cauliflower will steam and not get crispy.
This crispy cauliflower dish is also an excellent fit for a low-carb diet, with just 6 net carbs per serving.
With cauliflower available year-round, you can enjoy this flavorful side dish from Thanksgiving to Christmas and every day in between.
The carbohydrate content of roasted cauliflower can vary depending on how it's prepared. Overall, roasted cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable that can be a great addition to a low-carb or keto diet.
If you overcrowd the baking sheet, the cauliflower may have steamed instead of roasted, resulting in a soft, or mushy texture.
Yes, cauliflower is a vegetable. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower can be eaten cooked or raw, and it is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
"📖 Recipe"
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower trimmed and broken into 2" pieces
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 head of garlic broken into cloves and peeled*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (flat leaf or curly)
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim off the green leaves and stems of the cauliflower. Detach the florets and cut through the base of each one to create smaller florets. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Microwave the garlic on full power for 15 seconds. Then, smash the garlic with the side of a wide chef's knife. Trim the woody stem and any paper hanging off each clove—place in the mixing bowl with the cauliflower.
- Add oil, salt, and pepper, and toss with your hands until all the cauliflower and garlic is evenly coated.
- Spread cauliflower and garlic in a single layer on a baking sheet leaving a little space between each piece. Roast for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven.
- Season with salt and pepper. Scatter parsley over the cauliflower.
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.