Cheesy Cheddar Cauliflower
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Cheddar Cauliflower is the ultimate veggie dish: start by tossing your cauliflower in aromatic spices, then roast in the oven until golden brown. Top it off with sharp Irish cheddar and pop it back in the oven until it’s partly melted and gooey, partly crispy. It’s like cauliflower with cheese sauce—only a thousand times better!
This cheddar cauliflower brings together two of my favorite things: tender roasted cauliflower with crispy edges and plenty of melted cheese. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears fast, with everyone sneaking the crispy cheese bits straight from the pan.
As the cauliflower roasts, the cheddar melts into golden, lacy edges that are every bit as delicious as they sound. A simple blend of paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper seasons the cauliflower without competing with the rich, savory cheese.
Sharp cheddar gives this dish its bold flavor, and I especially love using Irish cheddar when I can find it. With just a handful of pantry staples and a head of cauliflower, this easy side dish proves that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most irresistible.
What to serve with cheddar cauliflower
Cheesy cauliflower is the ultimate comforting side dish.
Honor your Irish cheddar and stay with the Irish theme and make Guinness-spiked Irish chili, sticky Guinness chicken, slow cooker Guinness beef stew, or pulled pork shepherd’s pie.
Cheddar cauliflower has been known to be eaten straight from the oven, standing over the stovetop at our household. You can also make it the star of the show, serving it beside a kale salad, sauteed asparagus, or miso mushrooms.
Cheddar Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, onion powder, and oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (see notes)
- Sliced green onions (to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cauliflower florets on the baking sheet, drizzle with the oil, and then sprinkle with the paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to toss the cauliflower until all the pieces are coated with the oil and spices.2 lb cauliflower florets, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, onion powder, and oregano, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Spread the cauliflower around the baking sheet and then bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cauliflower is nicely browned.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and push all the cauliflower to the center. Sprinkle with the cheese and then return the baking sheet to the oven. Let the cheese melt for about 5 minutes then remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle some sliced green onions over the top.1 cup grated cheddar cheese, Sliced green onions
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
I made this tonight with half of a leftover cauliflower. My husband who is not thrilled with most cauliflower recipes stated this was fabulous. We did not have onion powder, so used leftover chopped caramelized onions added with the cheese.
That makes me so happy to hear! Hooray!
Delicious. Will make again.
So happy to hear you like the recipe!