These easy cauliflower recipes are great for weeknight dinners, and as wholesome side dishes.
These recipes are vegetarian and great for family meals, too.

1. Cauliflower mashed potatoes
This cauliflower mashed potato isย fluffier and lighterย than regular mashed potatoes, which makes this recipe incredibly delicious.
The creamy cauliflower dish is a family favorite, especially paired with mushroom gravy and bean stew.
2. Air fryer cauliflower
An air fryer canย cook cauliflower florets in 12 to 15 minutes, and the result isย perfectly roasted air fryer cauliflower.
You’ll get slightly charred cauliflower florets, they’re tender–crisp and retain most of their nutritional properties.
3. Roasted cauliflower
Tender, buttery, and aromatic, this roasted cauliflower recipe canย be used in so many different ways.
Add it to your favorite pasta, to salads (try ourย cauliflower salad,ย lentil cauliflower salad, or have it as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
4. Cauliflower rice
If you are searching for aย low-calorie,ย low-carb, and high antioxidants alternative to regular rice or bread, you might want toย give this cauliflower rice a try.
Itsย neutral flavorย and appealing texture make it theย perfect side dishย forย curries, soups, stews,ย 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.
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.
7. Rainbow roasted vegetables
Roasted vegetables are an easy side dish that will come in handy for everyday dinners and special meals such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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.
8. Roasted cauliflower salad
Creamy, smoky, earthy, tahini-packed, this cauliflower salad is a Mediterranean-inspired recipe that will leave you satiated for hours.
Roast the cauliflower floretsย in the oven orย air fry cauliflower florets untilย tender-crispย to get a pleasantly smoky flavor.
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.
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!
10. Cauliflower curry
Cauliflower curry is easy and endlessly creamy, you’ll want to make it every week. We couldn’t believe that a few simple ingredients and spices yield such a tasty dish when simmered together in a pot.
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!
12. Cauliflower pasta
We roast the cauliflower to perfection, toss it in the garlicky sauce, and mix it with spaghetti. Add some parmesan or dairy-free cheese for extra umami and creaminess, parsley, lemon zest, and toasted pine nuts.
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.
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.
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 stew
- Easy chickpea soup
- Tuscan soup
- Pasta e Fagioli
- Rustic lentil soup
- Easy lentil pasta
FAQ about cauliflower
Should cauliflower be washed before cooking?
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.
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.
For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.
15 Easy cauliflower recipes
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower (about 2ยฝ pounds or 1.2 kg)
- 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
FOR SERVING
- 4 wedges lemon
- 1 handful flat-leaf parsley
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat theย oven to 400ยฐFย or 200ยฐC. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Rinse the head of the cauliflower and pat it dry with a kitchen cloth. Discard the leaves and the stem, then separate the florets with a paring knife.
- Season withย extra virgin olive oil,ย salt, andย black pepperย and toss with your hands; then arrange the florets on aย single layer without overlapping.
- Bakeย at 400ยฐF or 200ยฐCย for 20 minutes, then turn the florets around with a spatula andย bake for another 10 minutes, or until browned outside and tender-crisp.
- Transfer onto aย serving platterย and optionally serve the baked cauliflower with a squeeze ofย lemon juice, a sprinkle of finely choppedย flat-leaf parsley, and a pinch ofย red pepper flakes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Weโre here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) ๐ฟโจ.
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After a damp, cold, long day, this recipe hit the spot…not too heavy, tasty and easy to make.