Are you running out of ideas on ways to serve roasted cauliflower?
If so, you’ve come to the right place! Roasting cauliflower is one of the easiest and tastiest way to pump up the flavor and nutrients in this versatile cruciferous vegetable.
From classic dishes like mashed potatoes to exotic recipes from other cultures, there are plenty of choices when it comes to side dishes that pair perfectly with a steaming-hot tray of roasted cauliflower.
Keep reading for an impressive selection of 10 amazing sides that will bring your meal together in no time flat!
What to Serve with Roasted Cauliflower? 10 Side Dishes
1 – Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Creamy Tomato Soup with grilled cheese is the perfect comfort food.
It’s easy to make and can be tailored to your taste.
The soup is creamy and rich, while the grilled cheese adds a crispy, cheesy element.
This dish is all about balance.
The key to a good tomato soup is to find the right balance of acidity and sweetness.
Too much acidity will make the soup taste sour, while too much sweetness will make it taste cloying.
The best way to achieve this balance is to use fresh, ripe tomatoes and to add a bit of sugar to offset the acidity.
Once you’ve got the perfect soup, it’s time to elevate it with some grilled cheese.
The best way to do this is to use a quality bread and cheese.
A nice sourdough bread pairs well with a sharp cheddar cheese.
Toast the bread until it’s golden brown and then top with sliced cheese.
Put the sandwich under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with the soup and enjoy.
2 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar
When it comes to side dishes, roasted Brussels sprouts are a classic.
These little green veggies are packed with flavor and can be easily roasted in the oven.
The key to making perfect roasted Brussels sprouts is to make sure they are nice and crispy on the outside while still being tender on the inside.
One way to achieve this is to toss them in a bit of balsamic vinegar before roasting.
The acidity from the vinegar will help to caramelize the Brussels sprouts as they roast, giving them a delicious flavor.
If you’re looking for a simple yet tasty side dish, roasted Brussels sprouts are a great option.
These little green veggies pack a big flavor punch and can be easily roasted in the oven.
The key to making perfect roasted Brussels sprouts is to make sure they are nice and crispy on the outside while still being tender on the inside.
One way to achieve this is to toss them in a bit of balsamic vinegar before roasting.
The acidity from the vinegar will help to caramelize the Brussels sprouts as they roast, giving them a delicious flavor.
3 – Quinoa Salad with Cranberries and Almonds
This quinoa salad is the perfect side dish to roasted cauliflower.
The quinoa is light and fluffy, and the cranberries and almonds add a lovely sweetness and crunch.
The salad can be easily elevated by adding a few extra ingredients, such as chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese.
The key to making this dish successful is to cook the quinoa correctly.
Be sure to rinse the quinoa thoroughly before cooking, and simmer it in chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
Once the quinoa is cooked, let it cool slightly before adding the other ingredients.
This will ensure that the salad retains its light, fluffy texture.
For an extra bit of sweetness, try using dried cranberries instead of fresh ones.
And if you’re looking for an even crunchier salad, add some chopped celery or sliced almonds.
Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the dressing.
A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil and lemon juice is all you need to bring this dish to life.
4 – Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This dish is a Thanksgiving staple for a reason – it’s absolutely delicious.
Sweet potatoes are roasted to perfection and then combined with a sweet, marshmallow-y topping.
The result is a dish that is both sweet and savory, and sure to please everyone at the table.
The key to this dish is in the sweet potatoes.
Make sure to roast them until they are soft and fork-tender; this will help them mash easily and give the casserole its signature smooth texture.
For an extra bit of sweetness, you can drizzle the roasted sweet potatoes with honey before adding them to the casserole dish.
To really take this dish over the top, top it with chopped pecans or mini marshmallows before baking.
Both toppings add a nice crunch and additional sweetness that takes this dish from great to amazing.
Serve alongside your favorite Thanksgiving sides and enjoy.
5 – Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine is a classic French dish that is simple, yet elegant.
The dish consists of green beans that are blanched and then sautéed in butter and garlic.
To elevate the dish, many people like to add toasted almonds, lemon juice, and parsley.
The taste of green beans almondine is very light and fresh.
The texture of the green beans should be crisp, yet tender.
When cooked correctly, the dish is extremely flavorful and satisfying.
There are a few tips to keep in mind when making green beans almondine.
First, make sure to blanch the green beans before adding them to the pan.
This will help them retain their color and prevent them from overcooking.
Second, be sure to use a good quality butter for the dish.
This will make a big difference in the flavor.
Lastly, don’t forget to season the dish with salt and pepper before serving.
6 – Macaroni and Cheese
There are few dishes as classic and comforting as macaroni and cheese.
This dish is the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy goodness with a satisfyingly crunchy pasta shell.
Mac and cheese can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish to complement a variety of different main courses.
When it comes to taste and texture, macaroni and cheese is pretty much unbeatable.
The key to elevating this dish is in the quality of ingredients that you use.
For the cheese, opt for a sharp cheddar for a nice balance of flavor and creaminess.
For the pasta, choose a shells or elbow noodles for best results.
If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your mac and cheese, consider adding in some chopped up bacon or crumbled up sausage.
You could also mix in some frozen peas or corn for a pop of color and an added layer of flavor.
Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››
7 – Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed in so many different ways.
They can be plain or loaded with all sorts of delicious toppings, but the key to perfect mashed potatoes is always in the quality of the ingredients used.
The best mashed potatoes start with fresh, high-quality potatoes.
Yukon golds are my personal favorite for their creamy texture and rich flavor, but you can use any type of potato that you like.
Once you’ve chosen your potatoes, make sure to wash them thoroughly before cooking.
The next step is to choose your cooking method.
You can either boil the potatoes whole or cut them into smaller pieces first.
If you’re boiling them whole, make sure to poke a few holes in each potato with a fork so that they don’t explode while cooking.
For smaller pieces, I recommend boiling them for about 10 minutes until they are fork-tender.
Once the potatoes are cooked, it’s time to add the other ingredients.
Start by mashing the potatoes with a masher or an immersion blender until they reach your desired consistency.
Then, add in your butter, milk, and seasonings to taste.
I usually like to keep my mashed potatoes simple with just salt and pepper, but you can get creative and add in other herbs or spices if you like.
For extra creaminess and richness, you can also add in some shredded cheese towards the end of cooking.
Mashed potatoes are also delicious with a dollop of sour cream on top.
Once everything is mixed together, taste your mashed potatoes and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
Then, transfer them to a serving dish and enjoy.
8 – Corn On The Cob
When it comes to side dishes, roasted corn on the cob is a classic.
It’s simple, yet delicious and can be enjoyed by everyone.
The sweet taste of roasted corn pairs well with the savory flavors of roasted cauliflower, making it the perfect side dish for your next meal.
There are a few things to keep in mind when roasting corn on the cob.
First, you want to make sure that the corn is fresh.
Old, stale corn will not taste as good and will be more difficult to roast.
Second, you need to control the heat.
Roasting corn on too high of a heat will cause it to burn, while not roasting it enough will result in lackluster flavor.
Aim for a medium-high heat and roast the corn for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is slightly charred and tender.
Once you have mastered the basics of roasted corn on the cob, there are endless ways to elevate this dish.
Try adding some spice with chili powder or cumin, or go for a sweeter flavor with honey or maple syrup.
You can also top your roasted corn with cheese, bacon, or anything else you can think of.
9 – Dinner Rolls
There’s nothing quite like a warm, freshly baked dinner roll.
They’re perfect for sopping up gravy or dipping in soup, and they just make the meal feel more complete.
But let’s be honest, store-bought rolls just don’t compare to homemade.
And once you’ve had a taste of homemade, you’ll never go back.
What makes homemade dinner rolls so much better? It all comes down to taste and texture.
Homemade rolls are fluffy and tender, with just the right amount of crust.
They’re also infinitely customizable – you can add herbs, cheese, or even fruit to the dough to give them an extra boost of flavor.
If you’re not used to baking with yeast, don’t worry – it’s really not that difficult.
Just make sure to follow the recipe closely and give the dough enough time to rise.
And if your rolls don’t turn out perfectly the first time, don’t despair – practice makes perfect.
10 – Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a dish that typically consists of various kinds of fruit, often mixed with vegetables and/or a dressing.
The dish can be served as either an appetizer or a main course, and can be made with fresh or canned fruits.
Fruit salad is a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit any taste.
For those who prefer a sweeter salad, using fruits like pineapple, grapes, and mandarin oranges will create a dish that is both flavorful and refreshing.
Those who prefer a more savory salad may want to consider adding in some diced avocado or using a dressing with herbs such as mint or basil.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating the perfect fruit salad.
The key is to experiment and find what combination of fruits, vegetables, and dressings best suits your taste.
With a little bit of creativity, you can turn this simple dish into a work of art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great side dishes that go well with roasted cauliflower.
These side dishes range from other vegetables to starches and even salads.
There are many ways to roast cauliflower, so it can be a versatile dish to make for any meal.
I hope this blog post has given you some ideas on what to serve with roasted cauliflower the next time you make it.
What to Serve with Roasted Cauliflower? 10 Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 – Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
- 2 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar
- 3 – Quinoa Salad with Cranberries and Almonds
- 4 – Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- 5 – Green Beans Almondine
- 6 – Macaroni and Cheese
- 7 – Mashed Potatoes
- 8 – Corn On The Cob
- 9 – Dinner Rolls
- 10 – Fruit Salad
Instructions
- Select your favorite sides from the list above.
- Prepare the side dish according to the recipe instructions.
- If you’re short on time, some of these can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of IntroChicago.com, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!