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Easy Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets are roasted to tender then smothered in cheddar cheese and roasted some more in this recipe for Easy Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower. It’s a delightful combination that reminds me of childhood.

Whenever I start to talk about my kids’ eating habits, I pause to admit how lucky I am. They aren’t picky. Heck, they eat almost everything and will try anything once. I know I am lucky — and I know that other parents aren’t so lucky.

And why do I know that?

Of course, I have heard the stories from others. The kids who eat only white foods or only peanut butter or whatever. But that’s not all.

I was a bit of a picky eater myself when I was a kid. While I eat almost everything now, back then I was anti-veggies. Frankly, I really wasn’t particularly fond of broccoli. Or cauliflower. Or green beans, peas, lima beans, corn … you get the idea.

But my uncle Hugo? He was a wonderful cook and wanted me to learn to love my veggies. So, instead of just accepting that I probably would only take a nibble or two of any given vegetable at family dinners, he devised a plan: Lure me into eating my broccoli and cauliflower with the addition of a creamy cheese sauce.

It worked.

I ate copious amounts of veggies just to have more of that fabulous sauce. And eventually, I just liked the veggies themselves too.

This recipe for Easy Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower reminds me of the veggies Hugo used to make for my benefit.

Cauliflower is cut into florets and then roasted to tender. Then it’s smothered in cheddar cheese and roasted some more.

The cheddar melts all over the cauliflower, lending a wonderful, sharp but creaminess to the tender pieces. It’s delicious, and what kid can resist this much cheese?

Easy Roasted Cheddar-y Cauliflower

Easy Roasted Cheddar-y Cauliflower

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Cauliflower florets are roasted to tender then smothered in cheddar cheese and roasted some more. It's a delightful combination that reminds me of childhood.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower, , rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
  2. Cut the florets from the cauliflower head and arrange on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Slide the cauliflower into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until tender. Be sure to stir once about halfway through.
  4. Once the cauliflower is tender, pull it out of the oven and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately.

Jeanie

Friday 19th of June 2020

Is this baked or roasted? And could I use frozen cauliflower? Thanks.

Sarah Walker Caron

Friday 19th of June 2020

Hi Jeanie, both! It's roasted in the oven, which means the cauliflower is exposed to prolonged heat to cook. You could also call it baked because it's cooked in the oven. This recipe is for fresh cauliflower. Using frozen won't garner the same end results. Good luck!

Januce

Saturday 11th of January 2020

Made it tonight it was wonderful. Had it with steak

Karly

Thursday 18th of November 2010

I loooooove roasted cauliflower, but had never thought to add cheddar cheese! Yum!

cagey

Thursday 18th of November 2010

Yum! My kids love roasted cauliflower, too. I do add 4-5 cloves of garlic, which really add a sweetness when roasted. Also? I roast mine for at least 30 minutes. When the cauliflower begins burning, those burnt bits and edges are SO sweet, they take on a new flavor when the sugar begin to caramelize.

Sheepishly, I've hadn't really thought to add some cheese. My kids will definitely appreciate your tip!. :-)

Sarah Caron

Thursday 18th of November 2010

Cagey, I love the idea of adding garlic. What temperature do you roast it at?

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