There’s a reason cauliflower has the coveted title of “superfood.” As a staple cruciferous vegetable, it’s high in vitamins and fiber, low in calories and sodium, and an overall antioxidant powerhouse. Just one cup of cauliflower is a fantastic source of your daily vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, and folate. And to top it all off, you can make it taste pretty dang good.
Cauliflower is a fabulously versatile ingredient. You can roast it, fry it, grill it, blend it, and so much more; it’s truly the perfect vegetable to experiment with and get creative in the kitchen. Our own REAL SIMPLE test kitchen can vouch for this—check out some of our cauliflower recipes to inspire your dinner menu this week.
Need more dinner ideas? Save these recipes to MyRecipes, our virtual recipe box, by clicking the heart icon near each recipe.
Air-Fried Gochujang-Maple Cauliflower Bites
Credit:
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING BY EMILY NABORS HALL, PROP STYLING BY CLAIRE SPOLLEN
Perfectly stated by our food director, Jenna Helwig, these air-fried cauliflower bites are like “if coconut-fried shrimp married spicy chicken wings and had a vegetarian baby.” Bursting with flavor, cauliflower florets are coated in a gochujang-maple batter, dipped in a coconut-panko mixture, and air-fried to perfection.
Punjabi Cauliflower
Credit: Heami Lee
Coming straight from award-winning Houston-based chef Anita Jaisinghani’s cookbook, Masala, are these stunning cauliflower bites. Cauliflower florets are pan-fried with ghee and mustard seeds and stirred in a fragrant tomato and ginger sauce. Sprinkle some garam masala on top for a delicious, easy dish.
Cauliflower Piccata
Credit:
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This classic Italian dish gets a vegetarian facelift with this cauliflower piccata recipe. Cauliflower steaks are seared in a skillet until browned and tender, then a quick pan sauce is made with all your favorite piccata flavors like butter, lemon, and shallots. Top it off with briny capers and you’ve got a dinner winner.
Sweet and Spicy Cauliflower ‘Meatballs’
Credit:
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Meatballs are a classic party food, and this vegetarian version is sure to be a hit. Quinoa and cauliflower rice make up the “meat” and are bound together by breadcrumbs and eggs, which makes the texture indistinguishable from real meatballs. They’re seared in sesame oil and covered in a fabulous sweet and spicy sauce.
Vegan Cashew-Cauliflower Soup
Credit: Jennifer Causey
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a rich, creamy soup, and this recipe is no exception. Cashews are blended with broth to make a creamy base for the cannellini beans and cooked cauliflower. Serve with a drizzle of oil and toasted cashews for a flavorful, nutritious dinner.
Pasta With Bacon and Caramelized Cauliflower
Credit: Greg DuPree
Bacon makes just about everything better, and this pasta proves it. Thick-cut bacon is fried in a skillet, then cauliflower florets are added to the same skillet to cook in the glorious bacon drippings. This indulgent dish comes together in 30 minutes and belongs in your weeknight meal rotation.
Shawarma-Seasoned Cauliflower and Chickpea Pitas
Credit:
Fred Hardy
A delicious and colorful dinner that uses just five ingredients? Sign us up! This vegetarian shawarma wrap recipe borrows all the fabulous flavors of the traditional Middle Eastern dish without the meat. Just toss cauliflower florets in a shawarma spice blend, roast them up, and add all the toppings you want for an easy dinner.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Grapes and Feta
Credit: Greg Dupree
Transport yourself to Greece by making this stunning roasted cauliflower with grapes and feta. Cauliflower is boiled until tender then roasted in the oven for a delicious crisp, then grapes and feta are added to the baking sheet, which bring on sweet and salty flavors. Finish with pickled shallots and fresh oregano to tie everything together.
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
Credit: Getty Images
The Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi has gained a cult-like following, and we totally get it. That’s why we created our own version so you can make it yourself. With just five ingredients, including an entire head of cauliflower, you’ll impress all your friends by making homemade, nutritious gnocchi.
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Credit:
Greg DuPree
If you’re looking for a meal that’s actually quick to make, look no further than this black-eyed pea salad. Ready in just 15 minutes, cauliflower rice cooks while collards and tomatoes are chopped and dressed in a yummy vinaigrette.
Veggie Patties
Credit:
VICTOR PROTASIO; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Adapted from a recipe by Carleigh Bodrug, author of PlantYou: Scrappy Cooking, these veggie patties take just 20 minutes to prep and leave you with a satisfying bite that tastes too good to be healthy. Filled to the brim with veggies like cauliflower, zucchinis, and onions, these patties are an indulgent but nutritious treat.
Mole-Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
Credit:
Jen Causey
Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce that is bursting with flavor, and this recipe lets it shine. Cauliflower is seasoned with a healthy dose of cumin and roasted, then placed on a bed of quinoa and tossed in a mole vinaigrette for a nutritious, tasty dinner.