20 Easy Healthy Cauliflower Recipes Disguised as Comfort Food

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updated May 14, 2020

Healthy Cauliflower Recipes Vegetarian — Half Baked Harvest

Super palatable and versatile, cauliflower is easily one of the most well-liked vegetables. You can prepare it a variety of ways, whether you want to grill it whole, turn into a low-cal, low-carb grain alternative, or use it in a flavorful stir-fry. It also happens to be the anchor ingredient in plenty of cold-weather favorites, from comforting soups to sides. And luckily for us, it's chock-full of healthy ingredients. Since it's both a foodie favorite and something that even the pickiest of eaters will happily devour, we're spotlighting our favorite healthy cauliflower recipes. They're so delicious it's hard to believe they're healthy (they are, we promise).

Scroll through to see which of these healthy cauliflower recipes looks tastiest to you, and then get cooking.

01 of 20

Vegan Cauliflower Stuffing

Healthy Cauliflower Recipes — Food Faith Fitness

Vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and Paleo, Food Faith Fitness's cauliflower stuffing is going to get you in the mood for fall. It has all the yummy flavors of traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, but it's made from almost all veggies, making it a lot more healthy. And though you should definitely keep this recipe handy when the holiday sneaks up on us, it's also just a delicious side dish to accompany your weeknight mains.

02 of 20

Warm Cauliflower and Dukkah Salad

Easy Cauliflower Recipes — The First Mess

If you want a filling, warm salad that won't leave you hangry, try this pistachio and cauliflower recipe from The First Mess. You just roast the cauliflower florets with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Once they're golden-brown, you throw them in a saucepan to sauté with some garlic and lemon juice. Next up, make the dukkah, which is basically just ground up pistachios with coriander, cumin, sesame, and chili. For the salad, add sliced nectarines, avocado, and mint.

03 of 20

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Low-Cal Cauliflower Recipes — A Couple Cooks

Next time you're having some serious cravings for fried rice but you still want to be healthy, try this recipe from A Couple Cooks. It's vegetarian and gluten-free, but you'll want in on this regardless of whether you have any dietary restrictions or not. It's full of healthy ingredients like protein-rich cashews and edamame, ginger, green onions, garlic, carrots, and, of course, cauliflower.

04 of 20

Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower

Low-Carb Cauliflower Recipes — Salt and Wind

Inspired by buffalo chicken wings, these buffalo roasted cauliflower florets from Salt and Wind are a serious crowd-pleaser. Serve them up with the blue cheese dip to balance out the extra kick of spice. This yummy appetizer dip only requires about 10 minutes of your hands-on time, too, so you won't have to spend too much time in the kitchen.

05 of 20

Cauliflower Shawarma Wraps

Roasted Cauliflower Recipes — A Couple Cooks

This cauliflower shawarma wrap recipe is a game-changer, especially if you love Mediterranean flavors. This delicious recipe from A Couple Cooks is worth a save for those busy weeknight meals or last-minute lunches since it's so easy to whip up after a long day.

06 of 20

Charred Cauliflower With Garlic Tahini Sauce

Cauliflower Appetizer Recipes — Salt and Wind

Introducing your new favorite appetizer, side dish, and movie night snack. The trick to this charred cauliflower recipe from Salt and Wind is to partially cook the head by steaming it and then char it under a broiler. The smoky flavors are unforgettable, especially when paired with the garlicky tahini dipping sauce.

07 of 20

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Chimichurri

Healthy Cauliflower Appetizer Recipes — Joyful Healthy Eats

If you love the idea of charred cauliflower and want a few recipe options to prepare it that way, here's another delicious one from Joyful Healthy Eats. With this roasted cauliflower steaks recipe, you'll roast them until they're a little past golden-brown for an extra-crispy texture and slightly smoky taste. Then, douse the cauliflower steaks in an aromatic chimichurri sauce. In total, one serving is just 106 calories.

08 of 20

Colorful Chickpea and Cauliflower Salad

This beautiful, colorful cauliflower salad from Wu Haus is as photogenic as it is tasty and healthy. Complete with chopped radicchio, scallions, parsley, spicy chickpeas, cauliflower florets, and a light mustard lemon dressing, this is a meal you'll want over and over again. It's smoky, spicy crispy, tender, and citrusy all at once.

09 of 20

Roasted Cauliflower With Romesco

Who says that cauliflower is only good enough to be a side dish? This roasted cauliflower recipe from Wu Haus will convince you to put it under the main category, especially considering how beautifully it can be presented. The cauliflower is super easy to roast, and while the romesco sauce might require a bit more attention (and it's so worth it). It has a delightful red pepper flavor, made even more delicious by the paprika, garlic, almonds, and chili flakes.

10 of 20

Spicy Korean Cauliflower Cups

Vegan Cauliflower Recipes — Minimalist Baker

Do you love spicy Korean wings? How about lettuce cups? Then try this cauliflower recipe from Minimalist Baker for the best of both worlds. They're super big in flavor, very filling, and also easy to customize if you want to tone this up or down at all. Enjoy it as your main, serve it up as an appetizer, or eat them for a quick lunch.

11 of 20

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Bowl

Cauliflower Lunch Recipes — The Modern Proper

This pretty cauliflower hummus bowl from The Modern Proper will fill you up on all the right things. Though it looks and tastes like a beautiful gourmet meal, it's actually pretty simple to make at home. You just need chickpeas, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, cayenne, mint, carrots, and some fresh ground pepper.

12 of 20

Cauliflower, Rosemary, and Lemon Soup

Cauliflower Soup Recipes — The First Mess

Prefer your cauliflower in liquid form? Try this cauliflower soup recipe from The First Mess. It has the perfect balance of flavors, complete with musky cauliflowers and sweet caramelized onions, along with citrusy, refreshing lemon and aromatic rosemary. It's creamy and satisfying without being overpowering.

13 of 20

Spicy Cauliflower Bites

Spicy, cheesy, crispy—what else could we ask for in a veggie-based dish? This roasted cauliflower recipe from Half Baked Harvest is simply delicious. Even better, the recipe creator includes a corresponding recipe for homemade tahini ranch, making all your dipping dreams come true in one bite.

14 of 20

Twice-Baked Potatoes Stuffed With Cauliflower

Healthy Cauliflower Side Dish — The First Mess

These twice-baked potatoes from The First Mess are stuffed with cauliflower florets and chickpeas and then doused in a tangy spicy buffalo sauce. Pack one for lunch, eat it for dinner on a busy weeknight, or enjoy it as a side dish alongside your protein main. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will come back for seconds, so make sure you have enough to go around.

15 of 20

Coconut Cauliflower Curry

Healthy Cauliflower Recipes - cauliflower curry — A Couple Cooks

Spice up your weeknight with A Couple Cooks's cauliflower curry recipe. It's super easy to make and tastes totally indulgent. Best of all, it's ready in 25 minutes!

16 of 20

Cauliflower Sauce

Need to switch up your pasta routine? Try making this cauliflower sauce from A Couple Cooks. It's a lighter version of Alfredo, and you'll be surprised how delicious it is. Pair with your favorite whole wheat pasta for a nutritious dinner that feels indulgent.

Cook your pasta to al dente. The sauce is looser than normal pasta sauce, and it won't look very appetizing with mushy pasta.

17 of 20

Cauliflower Cous Cous

You've probably tried cauliflower rice before, but have you tried cauliflower cous cous? This recipe from Feed Me Phoebe has you pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor and then sautée it with turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost. It's the grain-free side you've been missing.

18 of 20

Vegan Breakfast Sausage Tartines With Scrambled Cauliflower

We love this vegan breakfast alternative. Instead of eggs, this recipe from Feed Me Phoebe scrambles cauliflower crumbles. Tempeh creates a breakfast "sausage", and everything is placed on top of toast. How easy is that!

19 of 20

Protein Cauliflower Oats

You don't generally associate cauliflower with something sweet, but after you try these cauliflower oats from Food Faith Fitness, you'll be convinced. Top with peanut butter and sautéed strawberries for healthy fats and antioxidants.

20 of 20

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Your favorite Chipotle side just got healthier thanks to Food Faith Fitness's cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe. It's super easy to make (it's ready in just 20 minutes!), packed full of flavor, and low-carb. What's not to love?