Every year, a new “it” food emerges. People make all kinds of innovative recipes with the trendy food until the next one arrives. Right now, that food is cauliflower. That’s huge considering cauliflower was the vegetable everyone considered boring, bland, and blah. Now the wallflower is the belle of the ball. We can’t get enough of cauliflower!
It shouldn’t surprise anyone to hear that cruciferous veggies like broccoli and brussels sprouts are healthy but it may surprise people to learn that cauliflower is also considered a superfood. Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C as well as phytochemicals that help balance hormones. It is also a great way to cut carbs since it can be used in place of rice, potatoes and even pizza crust.
Cauliflower is extremely versatile, able to be cooked in its natural form or transformed into so many different shapes and textures. It also comes in beautiful jewel tones of orange and purple. The mild flavor is mild makes it perfect for all types of cuisines and flavor profiles. If you haven’t gotten caught up in the cauliflower whirlwind, it’s time to try these 15 delicious cauliflower recipes and see what all the fuss is about!
1. One Pot Spiralized Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower)
Recipe by:Alissandra Maffucci
Here’s a twist on an Indian classic dish. This One Pot Spiralized Aloo Gobi has spiralized potato noodles rather than cubes and tender cauliflower. The cashew cream and tomato sauce create a fragrant sauce that is savory, rich and delicious.
2. Buffalo Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps
Recipe by:Bianca Scartabello
Lettuce wraps are a great way to have light summer sandwiches. Spice it up by making these Buffalo Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps. They have grape tomatoes and avocado with some creamy tahini to cool things down.
3. Cauliflower Fried Rice
Recipe by:Bianca Scartabello
The beauty of Cauliflower Fried Rice is the fact that you are eating all veggies even though it feels like a grain. Add whatever chopped veggies you like and season with soy sauce and sesame oil Then eat as much fried “rice” as you want – because it is guilt-free!
4. Cauliflower Chickpea Patties
Recipe by: Dora Daily
These Cauliflower Chickpea Patties are simple, flavorful and super tasty They make a great topping for salads or just eaten as a quick snack. They also have incredible burgers written all over them.
5. Cauliflower Cacciatore
Recipe by: Rhea Parsons
Cacciatore is “hunter’s stew” but the only thing you’ll be hunting for is a place to hide this Cauliflower Cacciatore before everyone eats it. With bell peppers, mushrooms, chickpeas and capers, cauliflower adds a new twist to this Italian classic dish.
6. Sticky Peanut Cauliflower Wings
Recipe by:Laura Hemmington
Sticky, salty, spiced and totally addictive: these Sticky Peanut Cauliflower ‘Wings’ might be a side dish, but this is one recipe that will have everyone overlooking the main meal at dinner; and once served, these tempting morsels don’t hang around for long on the table (never mind even making it to a plate).
7. Cauliflower With Purple Sweet Potatoes – Ranga Alu Diye Phulkopi
Recipe by:Rinku Bhattacharya
This is a colorful variation of the classic Bengali Alu Phulkopi. Cauliflower is paired with beautiful purple sweet potatoes and green peas. Bengali spices add warm, fragrant flavor for a memorable dish.
8. Spicy Cauliflower Chickpea Burger
Recipe by:Sophia DeSantis
What happens when two mildly flavored foods meet together with some Buffalo Sauce? Magic, that’s what. This Spicy Cauliflower Chickpea Burger is filled with veggies, smothered with Buffalo sauce and piled with amazing toppings. Open wide because you want the whole thing in your mouth!
9. Insanely Good Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cashew Cauliflower Cream
Recipe by: Molly Patrick
These Baked Sweet Potatoes are topped with lots of veggies for a superfood-filled meal. The cashew cauliflower cream that gets drizzled on top is insanely good. You’ll never think about sour cream again.
10. Creamy Cauliflower Gratin
Recipe by: Rhea Parsons
Everyone loves potatoes made au gratin, but that can be heavy. A lighter way to enjoy those same flavors and textures is to make this Creamy Cauliflower Gratin instead. You still get that rich and creamy dish you always loved. For that extra-special something, use purple and orange cauliflower for bright, beautiful colors!
11. Cauliflower Pilau ‘Rice’
Recipe by: Becky Cotter
Making rice out of cauliflower is easy and a good way to eat lots of rice but not get all the carbs and calories. This Cauliflower Pilau “Rice” is filled with onions, raisins and lots of fragrant Indian spices for a lovely dish.
12. Orecchiette With Cauliflower, Breadcrumbs and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Recipe by: Sara Day
You can feel better about eating a lot of pasta when you make it with a lot of healthy vegetables like cauliflower. These Orecchiette also have tangy sun-dried tomatoes and toasted breadcrumbs for a nutty crunch.
13. Curry Roasted Cauliflower
Recipe by: Jesse Lane
It doesn’t get more simple or more perfect than this Curry Roasted Cauliflower. Roasting brings out an intense flavor from the cauliflower and the curry spices add a warm, fragrant kick. Best of all, it’s ready to eat in less than half an hour.
14. Cauliflower and Walnut Based Veggie Ground ‘Meat’ (No Gluten or Soy Crumbles Here!)
Recipe by: Anja Cass
This Cauliflower and Walnut Based Veggie Ground “Meat” is a 100 percent plant-based vegan meat substitute that you can use as taco meat, pizza topping, in Bolognese sauce, in lasagna, and many more recipes. If you are looking for a ground meat alternative that doesn’t rely on vital wheat gluten or soy crumbles, then this tasty cauliflower and walnut mixture is perfect.
15. Slow Cooker Ginger and Cauliflower Curry
Recipe by:Bianca Scartabello
When it’s too hot to cook, turn to your slow cooker. Just put in all the ingredients, turn it on and hours later, you’ll have this Ginger and Cauliflower Curry ready to eat. It has layers of flavor and will look like you slaved over it for hours. Only you will know the truth.
With all these incredible and delicious recipes, cauliflower will never be lacking for attention again. Spend your summer getting to know this quiet but amazing vegetable.
Lead Image Photo: Sticky Peanut Cauliflower Wings
