Packed with vitamins and nutrients, cauliflower is a versatile and delicious cruciferous veggie that complements just about any flavor you pair it with. From steaks to salads, these cauliflower sides are a great addition to any table. Whether you make our cheesy Garlic-Parmesan Melting Cauliflower or our refreshing Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette, we’re confident you’ll want to make these sides again and again.
01 of 20
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette
Cauliflower and sweet butternut squash roast together until caramelized and tender, then get tossed with peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese and crunchy pecans in this salad. Using pre-chopped butternut squash is a great prep time-saver, but if you’d rather start from a whole squash, go for it! Serve it warm or at room temperature for a satisfying side.
View Recipe
02 of 20
Garlic-Parmesan Melting Cauliflower
This garlic-Parmesan melting cauliflower turns a simple head of cauliflower into a stunning side dish. Searing the wedges creates deep golden flavor, while a garlicky Parmesan sauce bakes into every crevice for a tender, spoon-soft texture. It’s an easy yet impressive side that feels right at home on both weeknights and special occasions. Look for Parmesan cheese labeled vegetarian if you avoid cheese made with animal rennet.
View Recipe
03 of 20
Cauliflower Steaks with Herb Butter
These cauliflower steaks with herb butter are a delicious side that pairs well with any main. Roasting the cauliflower leads to nice browning and brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable. Lemon zest and juice in the herb butter adds a pop of brightness and is so good, you’ll want to use it on other dishes like roasted potatoes or salmon.
View Recipe
04 of 20
Ranch-Roasted Cauliflower
Ranch-roasted cauliflower is a bold, flavorful side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of cauliflower combined with an herb-packed coating. Garlic, onion and dill add a savory punch, while an optional squeeze of lemon offers a brighter flavor. Ranch-roasted cauliflower pairs with just about anything, and the versatile coating can work with other veggies like carrots, broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
View Recipe
05 of 20
Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower
This chile-lime roasted cauliflower is the perfect side to spice up your dinner! The combination of zesty lime and ancho chile powder creates a tangy, mildly spicy dish perfect for pairing with anything from tacos to roasted chicken or fish. If you enjoy an extra kick, add some cayenne pepper for a boost of heat.
View Recipe
06 of 20
Cacio e Pepe Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This whole roasted cauliflower is a showstopping dish with the bold, classic flavors of cacio e pepe. Infused with cheesy, garlicky goodness, each bite is complemented by a kick of black pepper. Paired with a cool, creamy sauce, the warm, tender cauliflower creates the perfect contrast, making it as satisfying to eat as it is impressive to serve.
View Recipe
07 of 20
Melting Garlic-Butter Cauliflower
Garlic butter and Parmesan cheese coat tender cauliflower florets in this melt-in-your-mouth side dish. This dish works wonderfully alongside any protein, or make it a meatless main dish tossed with white beans and served with whole-wheat pasta.
View Recipe
08 of 20
Crispy Curried Cauliflower Bites
These curried cauliflower bites are paired with a creamy dipping sauce that features kefir—a fermented, yogurt-like drink that’s rich in probiotics that can help support gut health. You can swap out the kefir for plain yogurt thinned with a little water if you prefer.
View Recipe
09 of 20
Parmesan-Crusted Cauliflower
This Parmesan-crusted cauliflower is a delicious dish that features tender cauliflower florets with a crispy, golden Parmesan cheese crust. Finishing the dish with lemon zest and parsley adds a nice brightness. Serve this dish alongside roast chicken, pork and more.
View Recipe
10 of 20
Crispy Parmesan Bubble Cauliflower
These crispy cauliflower bites were inspired by the viral TikTok trend Bubble Potatoes. This version replaces the potato with cauliflower but sticks to the combination of rice flour and potato starch to ensure a crispy outside and creamy, tender inside. Serve these cauliflower bites with your favorite dipping sauce.
View Recipe
11 of 20
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Almonds, Olives & Feta
The combination of roasted cauliflower with crunchy toasted almonds, briny olives and tangy feta creates a well-balanced salad that’s perfect as a side dish or a light main course mixed with cooked farro or spelt.
View Recipe
12 of 20
Parmesan Cauliflower Tots
Cauliflower stands in for potato in this taterless cauliflower tot recipe. Cauliflower is mashed, then mixed with cheese and given a crispy breadcrumb coating before being baked. These healthy cauliflower tater tots make a delicious side dish or appetizer. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce.
View Recipe
13 of 20
Roasted Honey-Balsamic Cauliflower
These tender cauliflower bites are seasoned with a blend of spices and then coated in batter to ensure the sweet and tangy honey-balsamic drizzle soaks into every bite. They make a perfect side dish for grilled chicken or steak, or you can serve them over rice or noodles for a delicious vegetarian main course.
View Recipe
14 of 20
Lidia Bastianich's Spicy Crispy Roasted Cauliflower
In her latest cookbook, Lidia Bastianich writes: "I love cauliflower in pasta sauces, salads, and soups, and braised in tomato sauce. But I know that not everyone feels the same way. I've found that making it crispy in the oven, as in this recipe, opens the door for many cauliflower doubters. These bite-sized florets can be finger food for gatherings, served as an appetizer, or as an added vegetable for the table. It was a dish I made for my grandkids when they were younger, a good alternative to a lot of the less healthy fried finger foods often served to young children. They gobbled them up, loving every bite of the crispy florets, which you can serve sprinkled with some lemon juice or dunked in one of your family's favorite sauces. But if all else fails, ketchup with some Calabrese peperoncino is spicy goodness." Adapted from Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours: More Than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions © 2023 by Tutti a Tavola, LLC. By permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
View Recipe
15 of 20
Cauliflower Gratin
This easy cauliflower gratin uses one pot to steam the cauliflower and then make the cheesy sauce, cutting down on dishes. Just 20 minutes in the oven is all it takes to crisp up the breadcrumb crust. Serve this family-friendly gratin alongside roast chicken, pork or steak.
View Recipe
16 of 20
Bang Bang Cauliflower
A quick sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha adds plenty of flavor to this easy cauliflower side dish. The sauce has a balance of spicy, sweet and sour notes and clings well to the cauliflower.
View Recipe
17 of 20
Crispy Orange Cauliflower
This crispy orange cauliflower is a plant-based twist on the classic Chinese American dish, orange chicken. It features cauliflower florets coated in a light batter, fried until crispy and then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve it over steamed brown rice with stir-fried tofu and veggies for a vibrant, wholesome meal.
View Recipe
18 of 20
Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
The florets are roasted with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic and Parmesan in this easy cauliflower recipe, which makes a delicious addition to any weeknight meal. If you avoid cheese made with animal rennet, look for Parmesan labeled vegetarian.
View Recipe
19 of 20
Cauliflower Steaks Piccata
This cauliflower steak piccata recipe swaps out chicken for thick, center-cut slices of cauliflower while staying true to the flavors of the rich, lemony sauce. To serve this recipe as a side dish, cut the braised cauliflower into large wedges or florets and serve in a bowl topped with the sauce and parsley.
View Recipe
20 of 20
Loaded Cauliflower Salad
This loaded cauliflower recipe has all the fixings—Cheddar cheese, red onion and bacon along with chopped cauliflower, all held together with a tangy, creamy dressing. The cauliflower holds its color and crispness well, making this salad perfect for a picnic, potluck or barbecue.
View Recipe
Comments are closed.