🥦 Baked Cauliflower – Better Than Meat!
If you think cauliflower is boring, this recipe will completely change your mind. Thick-cut cauliflower “steaks” are roasted until deeply golden, caramelized, and crispy at the edges, then drizzled with a fragrant garlic butter sauce that soaks into every bite. The result is savory, tender, and unbelievably satisfying — hearty enough to be the star of your plate. Whether you serve it as a vegetarian main or a flavorful side dish, this baked cauliflower is simple, wholesome, and packed with bold roasted flavor.
🕒 Serves 3–4
🧾 Ingredients
Cauliflower
1 large head cauliflower
3 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
½ tsp garlic powder
Garlic Butter Sauce (optional but highly recommended)
3 tbsp butter (or olive oil for vegan)
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Toppings
Grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
Lemon wedges
Yogurt, tahini, or creamy dip for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the cauliflower
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the outer leaves and trim the stem while keeping the core intact — this helps the slices hold together. Cut the cauliflower into ¾–1-inch thick steaks. You should get 3–4 large slices, plus some loose florets (roast those too — they get extra crispy!).
2. Season generously
Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking tray. Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder so every surface is coated with flavor.
3. Roast to perfection
Bake for 20 minutes, then gently flip each piece. Roast another 15–20 minutes until the edges are browned, crispy, and caramelized. The natural sugars in the cauliflower create incredible flavor during roasting.
4. Make the garlic butter
While the cauliflower bakes, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add garlic, herbs, and chili flakes. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in fresh parsley.
5. Finish and serve
Spoon the warm garlic butter over the hot cauliflower. Sprinkle with Parmesan or nutritional yeast and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Rich, crispy, and bursting with garlicky goodness — you truly won’t miss the meat!