If you’re new to healthy home cooking, you’ll love this cheesy vegan roasted cauliflower recipe. With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can throw together an easy nutritious snack that’s versatile and rich in fiber. It’s also an excellent way to dabble in the world of cauliflower, one of today’s most popular vegetables.
After all, these days, cauliflower is used to make everything from gluten-free pizza crust to rice. People have even used cauliflower to make tater tots, tacos, and “steaks” for vegan or vegetarian recipes. Cauliflower is also a common ingredient in dairy-free recipes like cream soup and “cheese.”
While these dishes are delicious, there’s nothing like enjoying a simple dish of cheesy roasted cauliflower. Its cheesy flavor, which comes from nutritional yeast, is hard to resist.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Cauliflower. This dish calls for one large head of cauliflower, but you can easily double or triple the recipe if needed.
- Oil. Feel free to use your oil of choice. Olive oil or avocado oil both work well.
- Seasonings. The key to a successful batch of roasted cauliflower comes down to the seasonings. Paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, dried parsley, and nutritional yeast are all great options, in addition to the classic sea salt and black pepper.
How to Make Roasted Cauliflower
For the full ingredients list and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, with a large knife, cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
2. Transfer the cauliflower florets to a large bowl. Drizzle the oil over the cauliflower and toss well.
3. Add the garlic powder, salt, paprika, and nutritional yeast. Alternatively, you can combine the spices in a separate small bowl before sprinkling it on the cauliflower. This is a great way to make sure the spices are evenly dispersed.
4. Toss the chopped cauliflower until completely coated.
5. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread the cauliflower on the sheet in an even layer, making sure to scrape the bowl for any leftover spices or oil.
6. Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until crispy and tender. Remove from the oven and let cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips, Variations, and Substitutions
- Serve with a dip. Enjoy this cheesy roasted cauliflower with a tasty dip, like the avocado lime dressing from our jackfruit tacos recipe.
- Add toothpicks. If you’re serving this dish as a party appetizer, simply stick a toothpick into each piece.
- Make it a meal. This recipe can be served as an entrée. Toss it with pasta, salad, or a whole grain like quinoa, then add a protein like chickpeas or tempeh.
How to Store Roasted Cauliflower
Store leftover roasted cauliflower in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Vegan Ranch Dressing — Creamy and tangy, this dip is a tasty partner.
- Vegan Taco Salad — Add roasted cauliflower for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Vegan Cobb Salad — Spruce up a classic salad with cheesy cauliflower.
Cheesy Vegan Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower head
- 4 tablespoons oil of choice
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with oil. Add all the spices and toss to coat.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until crispy and tender.
Notes
- Enjoy the cheesy roasted cauliflower with a tasty dip, like the avocado lime dressing from our jackfruit tacos recipe.
- If you’re serving this dish as a party appetizer, simply stick a toothpick into each piece.
- This recipe can be served as an entrée. Toss it with pasta, salad, or a whole grain like quinoa, then add a protein like chickpeas or tempeh.
- Store leftover roasted cauliflower in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
My family is obsessed. We usually sprinkle a little extra yeast on after it bakes.
Another “must try”!