Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

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The Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with Cheese recipe is a family favorite. First made by my Uncle Carmen. It is now a staple side dish at all family functions.

This side dish is so unbelievably delicious!  The breadcrumb topping gets a little crunchy while the cauliflower underneath is perfectly tender and flavorful!

Tempting sicilian baked cauliflower with cheese.

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Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with Cheese is fully of flavor and cheesy goodness. If you are not a fan of cauliflower, this roasted cauliflower recipe is so good it might just change your mind.

Also, this cheesy cauliflower dish is easy to change up to make your own special version that your fan will love. If you are on a keto or low carb recipe it is easy to tweak. Cauliflower is super healthy too, check out these nutritional stats.

If you’re looking for more cauliflower side dishes recipes, try these Parmesan Cauliflower Rice, Roasted Sweet and Spicy Cauliflower and Air Fried Cauliflower.

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A plate with the side dish.

Why We Love This Crispy Oven Baked Cauliflower Recipe

This cauliflower recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. It has a crispy top and all the cheese flavor that will make them fans of this dish.

  • Easy Ingredients: Six simple ingredients.
  • Family Friendly: Great for parties and holiday events.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy-free, etc…

Ingredient Notes for the Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Cauliflower florets, seasoning, cheese and oil.
  • Head of Cauliflower: Cut the whole cauliflower into bite-size cauliflower florets.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grate fresh for the best taste.
  • Seasoned Bread Crumbs: Italian seasoned bread crumbs are best.
  • Seasoning: Salt and pepper or try this Favorite Italian Seasoning Substitute which includes garlic powder and other great seasoning.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for this Veggie Side Dish

  • Frozen: Frozen Cauliflower can be great.
  • Vegetables: Add some broccoli to the dish.
  • Topping: Panko is great for the delicious easy cheesy side.

How to Make this Baked Cauliflower with Cheese Side Dish

This is a super easy-to-make healthy and delicious weeknight side dish for this cauliflower recipe.

These are the basic steps to make cheesy cauliflower bake. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Preparing your cauliflower, and seasoning blend.

Step 1: Cut

First, cut the cauliflower into florets.  Nice bite-size pieces. Place in a large bowl and add olive oil. Toss the cauliflower until coated evenly.  

Step 2: In a Casserole Dish

Next, pour water into an oven-proof casserole dish.  Then add cauliflower florets in a single layer.  Mix together breadcrumbs and add cheese.  Top cauliflower with breadcrumb mixture. 

Step 3: Bake

Then cover the casserole.  Bake the dish in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork-tender.  Remove the cover from the baking dish for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to get the crispy edges. 

roasting your cauliflower and topping with the bread crumbs and cheese.

Step 4: Finish the Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Finally, Top with additional cheese.

Recipe FAQs Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cheese

Yes. Make dairy free by using a vegan parmesan cheese.

Of course, feel free to use a different cheese instead such as an Italian Cheese blend, monterey Jack cheese, shredded cheddar cheese for the cheese sauce.

Indeed, this recipe is great for a crowd or even date night for two. Simply adjust the recipe card below to make the amount that you need. You make need to adjust the cooking time until the cauliflower is tender.

Yes. Cut the whole cauliflower and keep in a zip top bag in the fridge until ready to make.

This is one of those recipes that are best the day you make it. However, you can store the leftovers for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Reheat in the microwave, toaster oven or oven until warmed through.

Yes, fresh cauliflower is best, however, if you have frozen it will work. Roast the cauliflower as described in the recipe card below.

A casserole dish full of the finished dish.

Expert Tips for Making This Crispy Cauliflower Cheese Recipe

  • Add: Fresh garlic for even more flavor.
  • Add Heat: A little Cayenne Pepper will add a kick to the dish.
  • Short cut tip: Buy a bag of pre-cut fresh cauliflower. Instead of a cauliflower head.
  • Variation tip: Cauliflower and Broccoli mixed together.

What to Serve with Crispy Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Tempting sicilian baked cauliflower with cheese.
5 from 1 vote

Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Yield: 5 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
The Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with cheese recipe is a family favorite. First made by my Uncle Carmen. It is now a staple side dish at all family functions.
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Ingredients

  • 1 cauliflower, 1 medium head
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ¾ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ¾ cup water
  • 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning

Instructions

  • Cut cauliflower into bite size florets.
  • Place in large bowl and add olive oil. Toss until coated evenly.
  • Pour water into an oven-proof casserole dish. Add cauliflower.
  • Mix together breadcrumbs and cheese. Top cauliflower with breadcrumb mixture.
  • Cover casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender.
  • Remove cover for last 5-10 minutes of baking.
  • Top with additional cheese before serving.

Expert Tips

  • Add : Fresh garlic for even more flavor.
  • Add Heat: A little Cayenne Pepper will add a kick to the dish.
  • Short cut tip: Buy a bag of pre cut fresh cauliflower. Instead of a cauliflower head.
  • Variation tip: Cauliflower and Broccoli mixed together.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 540mg | Potassium: 438mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe.  I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.

10 thoughts on “Sicilian Baked Cauliflower with Cheese”

  1. I precooked the cauliflower till almost done then mixed it with butter instead and added the rest of the ingredients sprinkled more reg grated cheese on top. It was fast and tasted wonderful.
    PS: I don’t care at all for olive oil.

    Reply
    • I don’t see why Panko wouldn’t work. I think that’s an excellent idea! Just make sure you season it well — salt, pepper, garlic powder and maybe a little Italian seasoning. If you try it with Panko, I’d love to know how it turned out.

      Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  2. This is why I love the world of food blogging – to come across recipes like this! I am always looking for great sides – and your Uncle Carmen, I think, will become a mainstay. Don’t you love the way people can live on in their recipes and food?

    Reply
  3. We are big cauliflower eaters in our house – This simple preparation looks very good – I bet the topping gets kinda crunchy?

    Reply
    • Shirley, we think alike! I usually add garlic to just about everything I make! I love it! That’s a great suggestion!

      Thanks for stopping!

      Reply

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