Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Parmesan

By
Brett Moore
Brett Moore
Brett Moore
Before becoming a food writer, Brett Moore earned a culinary degree and worked as a professional chef.
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Updated on 05/5/22
Cauliflower Recipes
Kevin O'Mara
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Roasting a whole head of cauliflower at high heat creates a caramelized coating that is extremely flavorful. This zesty recipe combines cumin, garlic, and coriander with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice for a vegetable dish that is both easy to prepare and healthy. The sprinkling of Parmesan at the end while the cauliflower is warm allows the cheese to melt slightly, creating a bit of a gooey topping over the crispy crust.

This recipe works great as an appetizer or for dinner paired with a green salad. It has been called a "vegetarian steak," as the thickness of the cauliflower wedges or slices is reminiscent of a grilled piece of meat. You can even swap out the seasonings for a steak rub or a mixture including Worcestershire sauce to mimic the flavors of steak even more. This recipe is ideal if you (or a family member) are trying to cut down on red meat.

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Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and lightly grease a small baking sheet with vegetable oil. Set aside.

  2. Remove any green leaves from the cauliflower and trim off the hard part of the base.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil with the lemon zest and juice, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, salt, and pepper.

  4. Use a brush or your hands to spread the marinade evenly over the head of cauliflower. Any leftover marinade can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days and used with meat, fish, or other vegetables.

  5. Place the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the surface is dry and lightly browned 30 to 40 minutes.

  6. Let the cauliflower cool for 10 minutes before cutting it into wedges or thick slices. Serve warm with the fresh grated Parmesan sprinkled over the top. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
129 Calories
11g Fat
6g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 129
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 797mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 43mg 214%
Calcium 66mg 5%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 185mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)