This recipe for Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan cream sauce brings this vegetable up to a whole new level. Crispy bread crumbs, garlic, and smoked paprika make the outside of the cauliflower irresistible. The Parmesan Cream Sauce is the crowning glory of this dish that you will want to make again and again; you will love this recipe.
Want more great cauliflower side dishes? Try our Cheese Sauce Recipe, Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole, Sweet Sriracha Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Bake, or Cheesy Cauliflower Fennel Casserole.
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How to Season a Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This recipe has easy ingredients that can be found readily at your local store. The ingredients though make this recipe into something special without a huge cost or search for what you need.
Substitutions can always be made to make the recipe your own. You can substitute ground cumin for the smoked paprika or leave it out altogether. I think you will really enjoy this recipe just as it is, though.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- Large head cauliflower
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground black pepper
- Seasoned breadcrumbs (gluten free if needed)
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Garlic powder
- Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste (Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper if possible)
- Pinch of ground nutmeg, optional but so good when making a cheese sauce to bring out a nutty flavor
- Parsley, optional
How to Roast a Whole Cauliflower
This easy recipe for a roasted cauliflower head you are going to adore making. It looks so elegant roasted and served whole that it will impress your family and friends.
Trim off the outer cauliflower leaves but keep the stem intact. Place in a large pot and fill with water halfway up to the side of the cauliflower. Add about a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce the heat to medium and steam for 15 minutes. Remove from the water and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper. Using a pastry brush, coat the cauliflower with the oil mixture and then use your hands to pack on the breadcrumbs.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also use a cast-iron skillet or dutch oven for this roasted cauliflower recipe. Aluminum foil works well too.
Bake the cauliflower in the oven for approximately 45 minutes to1 hour or until the cauliflower is a light golden brown.
To make the cream sauce, melt the butter in a medium pot or skillet. Whisk in the flour until it’s fully incorporated. On low heat, slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken slightly.
Whisk in the garlic powder, nutmeg, if using, and grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. Season with salt and ground black pepper. If the mixture thickens too much, whisk in a tiny bit more milk until you have the consistency you like. Add chopped parsley if you like.
Serve the cauliflower warm sprinkled with parsley and with the Parmesan cheese sauce.
How to Serve a Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This great recipe for a whole roasted cauliflower couldn’t be any easier to serve also. Present it whole at the tableside with the warm Parmesan Cream Sauce.
Carefully cut the whole cauliflower into wedges and serve. Your guests will be impressed not only with the presentation but the wonderful flavor of this roasted cauliflower.
Either serve it to your guests and family or pass the plate around for everyone to cut their own slice or wedge. Drizzle on the Parmesan cheese sauce and enjoy!!
What to Serve with a Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This recipe is amazing with any protein like turkey, chicken, beef, pork, and even fish. Roasting cauliflower brings out its nutty, sweet flavor even more so. The outside is crunchy and seasoned, and the inside is tender and mild flavored. So present this amazing side dish with your favorite mains. Here are a few of ours.
Stuffed Roasted Turkey Breast – a very easy way to enjoy the flavor of roasted turkey without all the fuss of cooking an entire bird.
Roast Beef 101 – all you need to know to make the perfect roast beef every time.
Air Fryer Roast Chicken – Our butter mustard rub adds the perfect flavor, and then we finish it off with a drizzle of honey to make a sweet and savory delicious chicken.
Buttermilk Pork Chops with Lemon Caper Sauce – Tender marinated pork chops are a showstopper of a meal for the family to gather around the Sunday supper or holiday table.
Maple Bourbon Pecan Salmon – Sweet, perfectly cooked salmon awaits you with this recipe. Cooking this fish in a sous vide will give you a perfect cook every time.
Tell me how you liked this recipe by leaving a comment. I love to hear reviews and any change-ups you made to make it your own recipe.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 Large head cauliflower
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon smoked paprika *
- ¼ Teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ Cup seasoned breadcrumbs
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 – 1 ½ Cups whole milk
- ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Pinch of ground nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Trim off the outer cauliflower leaves but keep the stem intact. Place in a large pot and fill with water halfway up to the side of the cauliflower. Add about a teaspoon of salt and bring a boil.
- Cover, reduce the heat to medium and steam for 15 minutes. Remove from the water and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper. Using a pastry brush, coat the cauliflower with the oil mixture and then use your hands to pack on the breadcrumbs.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also use a cast-iron skillet or dutch oven for this roasted cauliflower recipe. Aluminum foil works well too.
- Bake the cauliflower in the oven for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the cauliflower is a light golden brown.
- To make the cream sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet or cast iron pan. Whisk in the flour until it’s fully incorporated. On low heat, slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken slightly.
- Whisk in the garlic powder, nutmeg, if using, and grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. Season with salt and ground black pepper. If the mixture thickens too much, whisk in a tiny bit more milk until you have the consistency you like.
- Serve the cauliflower warm with the Parmesan cheese sauce.
Comments & Reviews
Trish says
the recipe says seasoned bread crumbs. What kind of seasoned bread crumbs?
Tara Noland says
Any kind of seasoned bread crumbs. I usually have a canister of Italian bread crumbs in my pantry.
Trish says
thanks