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: roasted cauliflower that’s tender on the inside with crispy edges, and plenty of melted, gooey cheese. It’s the kind of side dish that instantly grabs everyone’s attention when it comes out of the oven.
As the cauliflower roasts, the cheese melts and drips down into little puddles that turn golden and crisp around the edges. I have to actively remind myself not to eat it straight off the pan — it’s that irresistible.
Ingredients needed
Cheddar cauliflower calls for a few staple spices, cheese, and cauliflower! Gather these ingredients:
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese will give the best flavor. We especially love using Irish cheddar as it’s extra sharp and bursting with flavor!
- Cauliflower florets
- Other ingredients: Olive oil, sweet paprika, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and sea salt.
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 stove top at our household! You can also make it the star of the show, serving it beside a kale salad, sauteed asparagus, or miso mushrooms.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use another cheese?
Sharp Irish cheddar cheese works so very well with this recipe, but in a pinch you can certainly use other cheeses. Any sharp cheddar would be great, even if it’s not specifically an Irish cheddar. A white cheddar cheese, parmesan, or gouda would work well, too.
How do I store leftover cheddar cauliflower?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in your fridge for 3-4 days. This recipe reheats well by being put back in the oven until it warms through. We don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as it can change the texture of the cauliflower.
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!
I think so too!!