Roasted Greek Cauliflower

Name: Roasted Greek Cauliflower
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (cut into florets); 1½ tablespoons olive oil (or similar); ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon paprika; ¼ teaspoon dried parsley (or dill); ¼ teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup chopped Castelvetrano olives; ½ cup chopped fresh parsley; ½ cup chopped scallions; ¼ cup olive oil; ½-¾ cup crumbled feta cheese (see notes)

Turn ordinary cauliflower into an extraordinary side dish with this Roasted Greek Cauliflower. Oven-roasted cauliflower, like these roasted green beans with pancetta, is the ideal base for boldly flavored toppings.

Serving spoon with roasted Greek cauliflower on a serving platter.

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This post was originally published in July 2022 and has been retested and updated with recipe refinements and new photos.

Cauliflower is an underrated vegetable. It just doesn't get the love it deserves. The secret to fabulous cauliflower is roasting it. Roasting brings out its delicious, mild, nutty taste, which pairs well with many other flavors, such as fresh herbs, briny olives, and tangy feta.

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Why you will love this cauliflower
Ingredient Notes
How to make Greek cauliflower
Recipe FAQs
Try these cauliflower recipes next
📖 Recipe Card
💬 Comments

Why you will love this cauliflower

This recipe takes just 35 minutes, making it an easy option any night of the week.
The herb and olive topping is unexpected but adds a wonderful freshness to this dish.
Everything is better with cheese, and feta adds a creamy, tangy flavor that is simply delicious with cauliflower.
This side dish pairs well with chicken, steak, or Pork Sausage Meatballs.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for roasted Greek cauliflower.

Cauliflower - Look for bright white heads that are compact and feel heavy. The leaves should be fresh and green, not wilted or browning.
Feta cheese - I always recommend buying a block of feta and crumbling it when ready to use. The blocks stay fresher and retain more moisture. French or Greek sheep's milk feta is my favorite. Goat cheese can be substituted if preferred.
Olives - I love using buttery Castelvetrano olives. Kalamata olives are also a great choice and will add a more briny punch of flavor.
Scallions and parsley add wonderful freshness.
Seasonings - The cauliflower is roasted with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Optional toppings - Pickled red onions and diced cucumber can be added for extra flavor, texture, and color.

How to make Greek cauliflower

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Toss the cauliflower florets with oil and seasonings and transfer to a preheated sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees until caramelized and tender.

Tossing cauliflower with spices in a mixing bowl.

Meanwhile, combine the olives, scallions, parsley (reserving some for garnish), and olive oil. Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter and top with the olive mixture, feta cheese, and remaining parsley.

I like serving this cauliflower with Greek yogurt mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Olive, scallion, and parsley mixture in a small bowl.

Platter of roasted cauliflower topped with feta cheese, olives, and herbs.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

For the best results, roast the cauliflower and chop the herbs right before serving.

Do I need to boil the cauliflower before roasting?

No, cauliflower does not need to be boiled before roasting. Boiling can cause it to become waterlogged, resulting in mushy cauliflower.

Why is my roasted cauliflower soggy?

Crowding the baking sheet can cause the cauliflower to steam instead of roasting. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer, leaving space between the florets so they can caramelize around the edges.