Loaded Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten-Free) | Wholefully (2024)

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Roasted cauliflower is one of my favorite veggie side dishes in the entire world. If you’ve never roasted cauliflower before, you have to try it! We roast at a high oven temperature to caramelize the sugars of the veggie, making the florets sweeter, richer, and all-around totally delectable.

On its own, roasted cauliflower is something special, but when you make it “loaded” style with ranch dressing, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions? WOW! You have a perfect side dish for everyone in the family.

Loaded Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten-Free) | Wholefully (1)

Table of Contents

How do you make loaded roasted cauliflower?

The process for making this loaded cauliflower is similar to making any other roasted cauliflower recipe, with one major difference—the toppings! Here’s how you get these glorious florets:

  1. Fry up some bacon and reserve the grease.
  2. Drizzle the bacon grease, along with garlic powder and black pepper, onto cauliflower florets. Toss to coat.
  3. Roast in a 425°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown.
  4. Top with sharp cheddar cheese and bake for another few minutes to melt the cheese.
  5. Drizzle ranch dressing on top, and then sprinkle on the cooked bacon and sliced green onions. Enjoy!

How do you cut cauliflower into florets for roasting?

Grab your head of cauliflower and first slice the whole head in half. Place one half of the cauliflower head cut-side-up on your cutting board, and then use a sharp knife to cut a “V” shape around the base of the stem to remove it. Repeat with the other half. Then break off the florets, cutting any large ones in half or quarters.

What’s the best ranch dressing to use for loaded cauliflower?

Whichever ranch dressing you like the best is going to be your best option for topping this roasted cauliflower—it can be store-bought or homemade. If you’re looking for a great homemade ranch recipe, try our Cashew Ranch Dressing (vegan, paleo), Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing (vegan, paleo, nut-free), or our Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing.

What can you serve with roasted cauliflower?

This loaded roasted cauliflower is a super versatile side dish that will go along with all kinds of mains. Since the cauliflower is so packed with flavor, it’ll pair best with other bold flavors. Try it with:

  • Lentil Sloppy Joes
  • Slow Cooker Sriracha Chicken Sliders
  • Portabella Cheesesteaks
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
  • Beer-Braised Brats
  • Oven-Baked Chili Dogs
Loaded Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten-Free) | Wholefully (2)

Can you make this roasted cauliflower in advance?

While you can prep all the toppings in advance, roasted cauliflower is best served fresh out of the oven, so wait to complete the roasting and topping until you’re ready to serve.

Can you freeze loaded cauliflower?

You can freeze cauliflower and it’s completely safe to eat. However, the texture tends to change once it’s had a trip through the deep freeze. Fresh roasted cauliflower is the way to go!

What other toppings can you put on loaded cauliflower?

While this classic bacon and ranch combo is delicious, don’t let them be the only toppings you try! Here are some of my favorite ideas:

  • Buffalo Blue Cheese Roasted Cauliflower: Drizzle your roasted cauliflower with your favorite wing sauce, ranch dressing, crumbled blue cheese, and diced fresh celery.
  • Pizza Roasted Cauliflower: Melt mozzarella and Parmesan on your cauliflower, and then season it with dried oregano, basil, and parsley. Top with your favorite marinara sauce.
  • Thai-Ginger Roasted Cauliflower: Drizzle with my Pad Thai sauce, and then top with chopped fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts, and a hefty squeeze of lime juice.

My protips for AWESOME roasted cauliflower:

  • Roast cauliflower (and all veggies) at a high oven temperature—we recommend 425°F here.
  • Don’t crowd the baking pan or the oven, or you’ll get steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. I’ve been known to just slightly prop open my oven door to release steam while roasting veggies.
  • Smaller florets roast faster and tend to get more caramelized edges. Feel free to cut your florets into halves or even quarters to get better results.
  • Short on time? Many supermarkets carry pre-cut cauliflower florets in the prepped veggie section. They’re more expensive, but they’ll save you a few minutes of cutting time later on.
  • The primary flavor you’ll taste here is ranch, so make sure to use a ranch dressing you really love! Our Greek yogurt ranch is a favorite of mine.

Looking for some other awesome cauliflower recipes? Here are some you might like:

Thanksgiving Dinner for Two (One Sheet Pan!)

Sesame Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Loaded Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten-Free) | Wholefully (6)

Loaded Roasted Cauliflower

Yield: 4-6 side dish servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Tender, caramelized roasted cauliflower is loaded with tangy ranch, crisp bacon, fresh green onions, and sharp cheddar cheese for an addicting side dish!

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 heads of cauliflower, leaves removed, broken/cut into small florets
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing (see notes)
  • Additional salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, and set aside. Reserve 1/4 cup of bacon grease.
  2. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, bacon grease, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss to combine.
  4. Spread cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet, and then bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The cauliflower should be tender and golden brown when ready.
  5. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top of the cauliflower, and bake an additional 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
  6. Remove from oven, and top the cauliflower with the crumbled bacon and green onions, and drizzle on the ranch dressing. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • If your bacon isn’t fatty enough to produce enough grease, supplement with a high-smoke point oil, like avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
  • Use whatever homemade or store-bought ranch dressing is your favorite. Our Greek yogurt ranch is a favorite of mine.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 287Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 533mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 11g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

Loaded Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten-Free) | Wholefully (2024)

FAQs

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Undercooking It. Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

How many carbs are in loaded cauliflower? ›

All Recipes Loaded Cauliflower Casserole (1 serving) contains 9.8g total carbs, 9.8g net carbs, 15g fat, 8.2g protein, and 196 calories.

How to roast a cauliflower Ottolenghi? ›

In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with three tablespoons of oil and a half-teaspoon of salt, then spread out on a large oven tray lined with greaseproof paper. Roast for 22-25 minutes, until lightly charred but still with a bite. Transfer to a large bowl and leave to cool. 2.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

This is true of any vegetable — boiling it will give you a flavor closer to the raw flavor, which means more bitterness and more astringency. Caramelizing it will bring out its hidden sweetness. This light, vibrant roasted cauliflower salad is a recipe I developed for the fall menu at Duo.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

Can too much cauliflower kick you out of ketosis? ›

“How much cauliflower can I eat on a keto diet?” If cauliflower is your only carb source other than eggs, you won't be able to eat enough cauliflower to snap out of ketosis. It will take at least a portion the size of your head.

Which is higher in carbs broccoli or cauliflower? ›

But cauliflower does have a tiny bit more potassium than broccoli. And it truly deserves its low-carb crown, with just 5 grams of carbohydrate per cup (that's slightly less than broccoli).

Does cauliflower have more carbs than potatoes? ›

Compared to potatoes, cauliflower has less than half the calories per the same 100 gram serving. (source) Cauliflower has only 3 grams of “net carbs” per 100 gram serving, while potatoes have 14 grams of net carbs.

What is the black stuff on cauliflower? ›

They're the result of oxidation. “The spots that you see on cauliflower are typically areas where the vegetable has started to age and oxidize, which can occur due to exposure to air and light,” explained Norah Clark, a chef and registered dietitian.

Which is healthier cauliflower or broccoli? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

What temperature is best for cauliflower? ›

Start by preheating the oven to 425°F. Don't go any lower with the oven temperature here—a hot oven helps the cauliflower florets crisp up and caramelize as they cook. If your oven has a convection setting, I recommend using it! It'll help the cauliflower brown beautifully.

How to cook cauliflower Gordon Ramsay? ›

Cooking instructions

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain and refresh in iced water, drain again and transfer to a large ovenproof dish.

Is roast cauliflower good for you? ›

When it comes to nutrition, cauliflower is a superstar. It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy. Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium.

Why is my baked cauliflower mushy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them.

Why is my cauliflower not firm? ›

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out.

What happens if you overcook cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower that is overcooked will lose up to 50% of its vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy meal, cook it for just a few minutes less.

How do you know if cauliflower is overcooked? ›

Like all brassicas, cauliflower smells very unpleasant if overcooked, so brief cooking is essential.

Does cauliflower soften when cooked? ›

Once the pot is covered and the water reaches a boil, the heat from the water vapor penetrates the florets, collapsing their cell walls and making them more tender. The main stem of the cauliflower also softens in the process (don't worry – it won't burn).

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