Hey hey – how are you? We’re coming off what feels like weekend #157 in a row of doing nothing! Our social lives kind of stop during the season that shall not be named, when it’s freezing and there’s giant piles of snow everywhere, plus our pediatrician told us that due to the severity of this year’s flu season, if we don’t HAVE to take the boys out to public places right now then we shouldn’t. But, I’m also just a total wimp when it comes to the cold. Give me a warm spring or summer day though, and the opportunities are endless.
Speaking of endless opportunities, let’s talk about cauliflower. Muwahahaha! I wonder if cauliflower’s recent trendiness has backfired on the already LPVOTP (least popular vegetable on the platter,) similar to kale’s rise to the top over the past few years. Are you sick of hearing about it yet?
My eyes would roll more frequently if I hadn’t witnessed my husband and kids eating cauliflower both totally unnoticed AND with enthusiasm almost weekly over the past couple of years. What makes this somewhat bland and boring vegetable so great is the reason why it’s so often overlooked – it sort of tastes like nothing…yet morphs into anything!
- Saute shredded cauliflower then serve in place of rice or hash browns.
- Steam and blend then use instead of heavy cream in soups and sauces.
- Swap for white potatoes in potato salad (TRY IT!)
- Obviously roast it – there is nothing like roasted cauliflower!
Not only is cauliflower a gluten-free, low-calorie, nutrient-dense food with 2 grams of protein in every 1 cup serving, but it takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with.
Most often I cut white rice with cauliflower rice in stir fries, mince cauliflower in the food processor then saute with ground beef for taco night (this also works super well with minced mushrooms FYI,) or steam then blend cauliflower into soups to achieve a thick and luxurious texture without adding dairy, as Lincoln’s allergic.
If you’re looking for more ideas, today I’m sharing 10 cauliflower recipes you’ll actually want to eat! First let’s review the ways to prepare cauliflower, other then chopping it into florets:
- Use the grating attachment on your food processor to turn cauliflower florets into “rice”.
- Add cauliflower florets into the bowl of your food processor fitted with the s-blade then pulse to mince.
- Cut a cauliflower head into quarters then grate on the large side of a box grater.
- Buy pre-made cauliflower crumbles.
What’s your favorite way to transform cauliflower into something craveable?
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice
Think you won’t like cauliflower rice? Saute it in garlic then bury it under a blanket of parmesan cheese. That should do the trick. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice is a quick and easy weeknight supper that swaps the crusty rolls sausage and peppers are normally stuffed into with flavorful cauliflower rice. (I promise you that is NOT an oxymoron!)
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Cauliflower Fried Rice is the recipe that started my cauliflower rice obsession. I’d been searching for a way to swap gluten-free grains for something plant-based and decided to give cauliflower a whirl. Spoiler alert – it worked!! Lincoln LOVES this dish, though I usually cut it with a bit of cooked white rice, otherwise it’s too much fiber for him.
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder (Low-Carb Alternative to Baked Potato Soup)
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder, a low-carb alternative to Baked Potato Soup, is still one of the most popular soup recipes on IGE six years after I posted it. Not only because it’s a lower-carb, lower-guilt way to enjoy the flavors of Baked Potato Soup, but because it’s insanely delicious too.
Cauliflower “Faux-tato” Salad
Cauliflower “Faux-tato” Salad is one of my favorite fake-out dishes to date. Simply swap cooked white potatoes with steamed cauliflower florets then toss with your favorite potato salad fixin’s. I love reading the reviews on this recipe from readers who have tried it.
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Meatball Bowls with Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo and Cauli-Rice
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Meatball Bowls with Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo and Cauli-Rice is a party in a bowl. Cauliflower takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with and in this recipe I drizzled sauteed cauliflower rice with plenty of lime and fresh cilantro. Super refreshing and healthy.
Cauliflower Gratin
Ok, ok – if you’re still not sold on cauliflower – smother it in cheese. Usually works for me! Cauliflower Gratin is a lower-carb alternative to mac and cheese and is wonderfully cheesy and decadent. A fabulous side dish for any weeknight or holiday dinner.
Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup
Back in the DAY I ate Panera’s Potato Cream Cheese Soup like, 4 days a week. Wish I was kidding. Since it’s not gluten-free, nor on the menu anymore, I made a semi-copycat recipe, swapping shredded potatoes for shredded cauliflower. Did I mention Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup is ready in just 30 minutes?
Very-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl
There is no better way to start your day then with a Very-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl. This vegetarian breakfast is PACKED with healthy vegetables and eggs – you won’t miss the bacon.
Creamy (No Cream!) Sweet Corn and Potato Chowder
Like I said, steamed then blended cauliflower is a DEAD RINGER for heavy cream, and it’s what makes my Creamy (No Cream!) Sweet Corn and Potato Chowder so thick and luxurious. You would never ever know this soup is made without dairy. It’s such a treat!
Sweet Chili Coconut-Lime Grilled Chicken with Coconut-Lime Cauliflower Rice
Sweet Chili Coconut-Lime Grilled Chicken with Coconut-Lime Cauliflower Rice is one of YOUR favorite cauliflower recipes. I think flavoring cauliflower rice with lime and coconut milk has something to do with it. Served with sweet chili coconut-lime chicken (either grilled or sauteed,) this is a healthy, feel-good meal that’s packed with flavor.
Hi Kristin! I’ve been following you for years and LOVE your blog. As someone who is not gluten free, I also thought you made a very smooth transition from your previous recipes to all gluten free and not alienating your non-gfree followers (or at least not me ha). I also met and married a boy from Iowa (we live in Seattle) and boy that Iowa pride is strong and contagious — I am an honorary Hawkeye! I have one quick question, since I am looking to start a blog about Seattle. I don’t want to pepper you with blog how-to questions, but am curious what program you use to design your icons (for example, the recipe title over the picture). I think they are so cute and just am wondering where to start! Thanks in advance, and congrats on your baby girl on the way!
Hi Katie! My developer handles all that kind of stuff (I am totally clueless too!) Her name is Kristin Falkner and I can’t recommend her enough! https://www.kristinfalkner.com/
All of these recipes=YUM!! There are so many delicious recipes to make with cauliflower!
Thanks Kelli!!
All great points regarding cauliflower, even kale about rise and fall of their trendiness, and yes it is bland! But as you write, that can be good as a base to dress it up, I’ve just run out of “dresses” so very happy that you shared these 10, thank you!
Yep, totally get that!! Hope you find a new dish or two to love!
Funny-I’ve ALWAYS loved cauliflower? (Different strokes? I still can’t get on the Brussels sprouts train no matter how hard I try?). The sausage & peppers and cilantro chicken meatball versions on this list are MY FAVORITE! Can’t wait to try the cream cheese soup!
Not brussels sprouts!?! I just love them so much. ❤️? I know what you mean though. ? I hope you love the soup!
I love that the sausage and pepper recipe was top on the list I’m planning to make it tonight and stopped by just to grab the recipe. You made the search extra easy today!
Perfect timing! Hope you loved the dish, Ashley!
My husband HATES cauliflower and it makes me all kinds of sad!
Dangit!! Have you tried hiding it in taco meat or ground beef for spaghetti?
Please tell me more about how you would hide in in taco meat or ground beef? Living in the Midwest we eat lots of ground beef recipes. Also, how are you keeping your boys busy staying in? We are doing the same and I am starting to go crazy!
I just add the riced/crumbled cauliflower to the skillet at the same time as the raw ground beef and let it all cook together – easy as that!! And we are totally going BANANAS over here – lots of legos, drawing, chasing, and yes…movies! Survival until spring. ?
I just started a low-carb diet (gotta lose some weight and break my addiction to carbs), so this post is coming at the *perfect* time for me. Thank you!
Love when that happens! (Perfect timing, not having to cut carbs ?) I hope these recipes help you out!
The link for no cream corn & potato chowder is missing.
Got it added for you, Donna – thanks for the heads up!
I’m having a serious moment with cauliflower. Especially roasted cauliflower. Give me all the cauliflower and garlic white pizza!!!
ummm, YUM!! That sounds so delicious!!