The #1 Roasted Cauliflower Recipe You Should Be Making

Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower is your solution to the weeknight side-dish woes. This roasted cauliflower is deliciously seasoned with a combination of ancho chile and smoked paprika that gives a deep, earthy flavor that you can’t achieve with regular chili powder.  The oven temperature is high enough to give a light char to the edges of the cauliflower while ensuring a tender inside, adding a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the spice blend. The lime zest and fresh cilantro at the end finish it off with bright flavors and a kick of antioxidants. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to cut down on prep time in the kitchen, how to change the flavors in this recipe and ideas to turn this into a plant-based main dish. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• To enhance the flavor of the dish, try using a variety of chile powders. Some of our favorite options include Kashmiri, ancho and guajillo.
• For quicker preparation, you can buy precut cauliflower florets.
• Top the roasted cauliflower with cotija cheese and toasted pumpkin or squash seeds for added taste and texture.
• This recipe would make a delicious filling for veggie tacos or burritos.

Nutrition Notes

• When you hear “eat the rainbow,” cauliflower isn’t typically on your color wheel, but it is brimming with nutrients that benefit your health. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and contains compounds called glucosinolates which may help prevent the development of cancer. It is also rich in fiber, which is great for your gut health and digestive system. 
• The chile spice blend in this recipe—ancho chili powder, smoked paprika and cayenne—is not only flavorful, but also health-promoting. Chiles, even when dried, contain a compound called capsaicin, which has been shown to be beneficial for good heart health and reducing inflammation. When eaten regularly, dried spices can positively impact health, so feel free to add more to your weekly meals. Using these spices helps add flavor without increasing the sodium content.