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Italian Roasted Cauliflower

Crispy, cheesy, and full of bold Italian flavor, this roasted cauliflower is the perfect easy side dish. Tossed with garlic, paprika, and parmesan, it’s golden and irresistible straight from the oven.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 228kcal
Author Meghan Birnbaum

Equipment

  • Baking sheet (half-sheet pan)
  • Parchment paper or foil
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Tongs or spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 large head cauliflower washed, trimmed, and cut into bite-size florets
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes optional, to taste
  • ½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice optional
  • Additional grated cheese and chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Place a baking sheet in the oven while it preheats—this helps the cauliflower develop crispy, caramelized edges.
  • Prepare the pan: Once hot, carefully remove the baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or foil.
  • Toss the cauliflower: In a large mixing bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes (if using). Toss until all the florets are evenly coated.
  • Arrange on the pan: Spread the cauliflower on the hot baking sheet in a single layer, flat sides down when possible. Leave space between pieces to help them roast, not steam.
  • Roast: Bake for 25–30 minutes, without stirring, until the cauliflower is fork-tender with deep golden, crispy edges.
  • Add cheese: In the last 5 minutes of roasting, sprinkle the grated cheese over the cauliflower and return to the oven to finish.
  • Finish and serve: Remove from the oven. Drizzle with lemon juice and top with parsley and more cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Using a hot pan helps jumpstart caramelization—don't skip it!
  • For best texture, make sure the florets are spaced out and not overlapping.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 513mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 447IU | Vitamin C: 102mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 1mg