This is one of the best ways to enjoy baked cauliflower. Prepare this simple veggie casserole recipe for an easy side dish that will surprise everyone with how good cauliflower can taste. No more boring cauliflower; this delicious Italian recipe gives this vegetable new life!
This post may contain affiliate links which I may earn a small commission.
Recipe Summary
This baked cauliflower side dish makes approximately 4-6 servings. However, much of this depends on the size of the head of cauliflower. It’s filled with Italian flavors from the cheese to the herbs in the breadcrumbs.
Baked until fork tender and the breadcrumb topping is a crispy golden brown, it’s a recipe that tastes amazing!
Ingredients
For this recipe you just need a few simple ingredients.
- cauliflower
- breadcrumbs seasoned or plain
- chopped garlic
- grated Romano cheese or Parmesan
- cracked black pepper
- chopped or dried parsley
- extra virgin olive oil
Step by Step Instructions
For exact measurements check out the recipe card below. These are simple steps for making this delicious baked cauliflower.
Step 1. Preheat oven to 375F
Step 2. Cut off the bottom of the cauliflower to remove the leaves and cut the cauliflower into small florets. Use the stems too.
Step 3. Heat a saucepan of water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Boil for about 5-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Step 4. In a large bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic, and black pepper.
Step 5. Drizzle the olive oil on the bottom of the pan
Step 6. Add the cauliflower to the pan and toss it with the olive oil so it is coated.
Step 7. Pour the Italian breadcrumb mixture on top of the cauliflower and spread it around so it is fairly even on top.
Step 8. Drizzle more olive oil on top of the breadcrumbs. This will make them crisp up. Don’t be shy.
Step 9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork tender and the breadcrumbs are crispy and golden brown.
PRO TIP: Position oven rack no lower than the middle. If the breadcrumbs don’t crisp up to a golden brown, then broil for no longer than 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Video
This is a live streamed video I made showing how easy this cauliflower recipe is to make! To print the recipe or see measurements, use the recipe card below.
Ciao Friend! I’d like to send you my FREE mini-digital cookbook featuring 5 Creative & Easy Italian Pasta Recipes. Plus, you’ll receive easy and delicious Italian recipes every week.
If you want in, just sign up using this form! I’d love to start sharing my recipes with you!
Recipe Tips & Modifications
This side dish is very simple, and I’m sure there are many ways to dress it up. Here are some options.
- You can use frozen cauliflower, but make sure that the florets are thawed and know that they may be more soggy/soft than fork tender like raw cauliflower would be.
- Substitute or combine multiple cheeses, such as a mix of Parmesan, Romano, Gorgonzola, and Provolone.
- Use different herbs in your breadcrumb mixture such as rosemary or thyme.
- Add in some broccoli florets – if raw, par boil along with the cauliflower. If frozen, let them thaw before adding to the baking dish.
What to Serve With Baked Cauliflower
Here are some ideas for what to serve this with:
A nice freshly oven roasted chicken is a nice main dish that is great for weekend meals.
Believe it or not, cauliflower goes great with pasta. I recommend my garlic butter pasta recipe which is so easy and simple to make.
A trusted standby for so many side dishes is my chicken breasts with Italian Seasoning. It can be made over the stove or baked in the oven. The choice is yours!
Recipe Card
Baked Cauliflower Casserole with Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower about 5-6 cups chopped cauliflower
- 2 cups breadcrumbs seasoned or plain
- 1 clove chopped garlic
- 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese or Parmesan
- 1/8 tsp cracked black pepper
- 2 Tbsp chopped or dried parsley
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Cut off the bottom of the cauliflower to remove the leaves and cut the cauliflower into small florets. Use the stems too.1 head cauliflower
- Heat a saucepan of water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Boil for about 5-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic, and black pepper.2 cups breadcrumbs, 1 clove chopped garlic, 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese, 1/8 tsp cracked black pepper, 2 Tbsp chopped or dried parsley
- Drizzle the olive oil on the bottom of the pan2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Add the cauliflower to the pan and toss it with the olive oil so it is coated.1 head cauliflower
- Pour the breadcrumb mixture on top of the cauliflower and spread around so it is fairly even on top.
- Drizzle more olive oil on top of the breadcrumbs. This will make them crisp up. Don't be shy.2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork tender and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Video
Notes
- You can use whatever breadcrumbs you like best. I make mine homemade, but if you want to use Italian breadcrumbs or panko, go ahead.
- Don’t mix the breadcrumb mixture throughout the cauliflower, I try to leave it up top to provide a crunchy texture.
- Cook the dish on the middle rack positioned so the breadcrumbs will actually crisp up and turn golden brown. If they are not golden brown by the time the cooking is done, broil them for 1-2 minutes max.
Nutrition
Additional Side Dish Recipes
For a full list of Italian side dishes click here. Otherwise, check out these below!
Cook up some delicious Italian stuffed mushrooms – no meat required!
Zucchini and garlic is a classic side dish that will go great with this recipe.
Garlic mashed potatoes are simple to make and taste better than eating out!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe! If you’ve tried it and made any changes to make it your own (or kept it all the same), let me know in the comments below!
Liz
