Loaded Roasted Cauliflower is the best side dish to go along with just about any meal. Bacon, cheese, and green onions make this loaded cauliflower irresistible!
Loaded Roasted Cauliflower
I’ve learned that the trick to getting my kids (and myself) to eat their vegetables is turning them into delicious dishes like loaded roasted cauliflower!
Kids and adults alike can’t resist this loaded cauliflower recipe! The ranch flavor mixed with the bacon and cheddar is a total home run combination. When I say loaded, I mean this cauliflower is absolutely packed with flavor!
I most often make this as a side dish with some simple grilled chicken made with my favorite marinade. But it would go well with just about anything!
Just keep in mind you may have to double this recipe, because you’ll all be asking for more.
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Loaded Cauliflower
Loaded Roasted Cauliflower is the perfect side dish to add some flavor to your plate. And it’s so easy to make so it won’t add any stress to a busy night!
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 heads cauliflower
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 green onions
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- Salt to taste
The Following Tools Will Be Helpful When Making These!
How to Make Loaded Roasted Cauliflower
Don’t forget to download the full printable recipe below so you can print it out and use it whenever you feel like making this delicious recipe!
- The first step in making roasted loaded cauliflower is to make and cool your bacon. Cook it until crisp in a skillet or in your oven and leave it to cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve ¼ cup of the bacon grease and set it aside.
- Next, preheat your oven to 425 degrees and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Rinse your cauliflower, let it dry, and chop it into small bite-sized pieces.
- Add the cauliflower, garlic powder, black pepper, and bacon grease to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine and coat the cauliflower.
- Spread the cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet and bake it for 20-22 minutes in the oven.
- Flip the cauliflower halfway through cooking.
- When it’s finished baking, remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle it with the cheese.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven again and top with chopped bacon bits, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of ranch dressing before serving.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- Depending on the size that you cut your cauliflower, it may need a couple more minutes to get tender in the oven. If you cut small bite-sized pieces, it should only take about 20 minutes, but you’ll still want to poke them with a fork to check if they are ready.
- Bacon grease is the best in this recipe because it brings so much flavor! However, if you want a healthier option or you forgot to reserve your bacon grease, you can substitute any oil of your choosing to coat your cauliflower. As long as it’s fully coated it should work fine.
- Hot tip, cauliflower makes the best “mashed potato” like mixture. I almost always take my leftovers from this recipe and mash them up until smooth for mashed cauliflower the next day! It is so delicious and a great way to use up your leftovers.
Storage
Store your loaded cauliflower in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days!
More Easy Vegetable recipes
- Creamy Asparagus Soup
- Crock Pot Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Fresh Homemade Pico de Gallo
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob in Less than 15 Minutes!
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Loaded Roasted Cauliflower
Loaded Roasted Cauliflower is the best side dish to go along with just about any meal. Bacon, cheese, and green onions make this loaded cauliflower irresistible!
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 heads cauliflower
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 green onions
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- The first step in making roasted loaded cauliflower is to make and cool your bacon. Cook it until crisp in a skillet or in your oven and leave it to cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve ¼ cup of the bacon grease and set it aside.
- Next, preheat your oven to 425 degrees and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Rinse your cauliflower, let it dry, and chop it into small bite-sized pieces.
- Add the cauliflower, garlic powder, black pepper, and bacon grease to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine and coat the cauliflower.
- Spread the cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet and bake it for 20-22 minutes in the oven.
- Flip the cauliflower halfway through cooking.
- When it’s finished baking, remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle it with the cheese.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven again and top with chopped bacon bits, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of ranch dressing before serving.
Michele Tripple is a renowned author and expert in the fields of parenting, relationships, and personal development. With her degree in marriage and family studies, her experience as a Family Life Educator, and over a decade of experience as a professional writer, Michele has authored books that provide practical advice and insights into improving family dynamics and personal growth. Her work is celebrated for its blend of research-driven information and relatable, real-world applications. Michele has been a keynote speaker at conferences and has contributed to numerous publications and media outlets, solidifying her reputation as an authoritative voice in her field and helping families build relationships.