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Roast Cauliflower with Zucchini Cheese Sauce

This impressive dish transforms a humble cauliflower into an elegant side by roasting it whole and topping it with a unique cheese sauce that incorporates zucchini for extra nutrients and creaminess. Perfect for special dinners or when you want to elevate your vegetable game.

Paolina baker
Updated on Monday 25 November 2024
A serving of roasted cauliflower topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with herbs on a white plate.
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A serving of roasted cauliflower topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with herbs on a white plate. Pin it
A serving of roasted cauliflower topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with herbs on a white plate. | Quickierecipe.com

Golden Cauliflower Dream Dinner

Let me share this gorgeous Roast Cauliflower with Zucchini Cheese Sauce recipe with you. It's one of those dishes that looks as amazing as it tastes with a perfectly roasted cauliflower head drowned in the creamiest cheesy sauce. Perfect for when you want something special yet healthy whether it's family dinner or entertaining friends.

Why This Recipe Shines

Y'all this isn't your ordinary cauliflower dish. That crispy golden outside paired with the velvety zucchini cheese sauce is pure magic. It's fancy enough for company but simple enough for everyday and trust me even the veggie skeptics will love this one. Plus that hidden zucchini adds extra nutrition without anyone knowing.

What You Need

  • The Star: One beautiful whole cauliflower trimmed and ready.
  • Good Oil: Extra virgin olive oil for that golden finish.
  • Basic Magic: Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sauce Base: Four medium zucchini peeled and grated.
  • Extra Flavor: Half an onion grated fine.
  • Perfect Texture: Half cup veggie stock.
  • Cheese Please: One cup grated cheese your choice.
  • Extra Fancy: Half cup parmesan plus more for top.
A plate of roasted cauliflower topped with a creamy herb sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. Pin it
A plate of roasted cauliflower topped with a creamy herb sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. | Quickierecipe.com

Let's Get Cooking

Start With Cauliflower
Heat that oven to 400°F oil and season your cauliflower roast it until golden about 40 minutes.
Make The Base
Cook your grated zucchini and onion until the moisture's gone about 10 minutes.
Blend It Up
Pop that zucchini mix in your blender add some stock make it smooth.
Cheese Time
Back in the pan add all that cheese stir until it's perfectly melty.
Put It Together
Pour that amazing sauce over your roasted cauliflower add extra parmesan serve it hot.

Make It Your Way

Want to make it vegan? Try nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese. Love it spicy? Add some chili flakes. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary are amazing too. Sometimes I roast individual florets for easier serving and different cheeses make it fun to experiment.

Tips For Best Results

Make sure that cauliflower gets plenty of oil and seasoning for the perfect roast. Keep your oven nice and hot for that beautiful color. When making the sauce add your stock slowly to get just the right texture. Serve it right away while everything's hot and crispy.

A plated serving of roasted cauliflower drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with herbs. Pin it
A plated serving of roasted cauliflower drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with herbs. | Quickierecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why roast the cauliflower whole?

Roasting whole creates a beautiful presentation and allows the outside to caramelize while the inside stays tender.

Why add zucchini to cheese sauce?

The zucchini adds nutrition and creates a silky texture while cutting down on the amount of cheese needed.

Can I cut the cauliflower before roasting?

Yes, though cooking time will be shorter and you'll lose the dramatic presentation of the whole head.

Why peel the zucchini?

Peeling prevents any green bits in the sauce, creating a smoother, more cheese-like appearance.

Can I make this ahead?

The sauce can be made ahead and reheated. The cauliflower is best roasted just before serving.

Cauliflower with Zucchini Cheese Sauce

A whole cauliflower roasted until golden, topped with a unique cheese sauce made with zucchini. An elegant vegetable side dish.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Modern European

Yield: 6 Servings (1 cauliflower)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 whole cauliflower head.
02 Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling.
03 Salt and pepper.
04 4 zucchini.
05 1/2 onion, grated.
06 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable stock.
07 1 cup (100g) grated cheese.
08 1/2 cup (50g) grated parmesan, plus extra for serving.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 200°C. Remove leaves. Place in baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Season with salt. Bake 40 minutes until blackened.

Step 02

Peel and grate zucchini. Heat oil in saucepan. Cook zucchini and onion 10 minutes. Cook until moisture evaporates. Blend with some stock. Return to pan. Add both cheeses. Whisk until melted. Add more stock if needed.

Step 03

Place cauliflower on plate. Pour over sauce. Drizzle with oil. Add extra parmesan.

Notes

  1. Makes impressive presentation.
  2. Sauce can be made ahead.
  3. Peeling zucchini keeps sauce color neutral.
  4. Add stock gradually to control sauce thickness.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish.
  • Box grater.
  • Blender.
  • Saucepan.
  • Whisk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cheese, parmesan).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 245
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12g
  • Protein: 15g