16 Best Sauces For Cauliflower (With Recipe Ideas)

Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that can really benefit from the right sauce.

It’s all too easy to end up with mushy, flavorless cauliflower after roasting—unless you choose your sauces wisely.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of my favorite sauces for cauliflower, which you can use on virtually any recipe, from roasted cauliflower florets to steaks and beyond.

Whether you’re looking for something creamy or tangy, spicy or sweet, these sauces have got it all covered!

1. Easy Cauliflower With Cheese Sauce

So creamy and delicious!

I’m a cauliflower hater but this dish changed my mind.

10 minutes is no lie – it really did come together very quickly.

The rosemary in place of the parsley was amazing too, just make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

All in all, love this recipe.

—Adrian Robles, Riverside, California

2. Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Sriracha Dipping Sauce

These crispy cauliflower bites were a perfect healthy snack for the family.

The seasoning salt was key as it added just enough flavor to make them extra tasty!

I made them slightly bigger than bite-sized so that everyone could enjoy one without feeling like they had mini Babybel cheeses on their plate.

But if you want smaller servings, decrease the size of each floret.

Also, while we all thought the dipping sauce was delicious and creamy, some may find it too spicy.

For those folks, I’d recommend cutting back on the sriracha or adding more honey to sweeten it up a bit more

—Val Martinelli, Boise City, Idaho

3. Fried Cauliflower in Garlic and Ginger Sauce

I love how flavorful this dish is!

The combination of garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce elevates traditional fried cauliflower to a whole new level.

I switch up the type of flour I use; sometimes it’s rice flour or buckwheat flour which makes for a different delicious taste.

My family loves adding cut-up bell peppers when frying – they take on the flavor beautifully without adding too many extra calories!

—Julie Jones, Port Angeles, Washington

4. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Dijon Sauce

This roasted cauliflower is definitely a winner!

I increase the salt and pepper, get rid of the flour all together, add some garlic powder and onion powder to the seasoning mix.

Plus I like to grate fresh parmesan cheese on top when its done roasting.

My family can’t get enough of it!

—Kristina Garza, Miami, Florida

5. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

I have made this dish twice and had rave reviews.

It’s a beautiful presentation that is surprisingly easy.

The Lemon Butter Caper Sauce really brings it all together nicely.

My only thing is maybe to cut the cauliflower in half (or quarters) so there’s more surface area, as my caramelization was limited on the sides of each head.

—Connie Quill, Woodland Park, Colorado

6. Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

Simple and tasty!

I was thrilled to find an Alfredo recipe that didn’t include heavy cream and calories, yet still had great flavor.

With a few adjustments – like adding a hint of Dijon mustard and some oregano – the recipe turned into something even more special.

This will become a staple in my house!

—Adam White, Munroe Falls, Ohio

7. Roasted Cauliflower in Peanut Sauce

This was a delicious, flavorful meal.

The peanut sauce was the star of the dish – it’s fragrant and creamy without being overwhelmingly spicy.

I roasted my cauliflower a little longer than recommended and added extra chili flakes to kick up the heat factor.

It was really easy to prepare, didn’t require any hard-to-find ingredients, and hit all of the flavor notes perfectly!

—Luke Westbrook, Grand Rapids, Michigan

8. Cauliflower Gnocchi with Thyme Butter Sauce

The baked cauliflower gnocchi was delightful.

The creamy thyme butter sauce was a great compliment.

I used almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, which had more stretch to it and made the gnocchi even lighter and fluffier than before.

The addition of Parmesan cheese just brought it together perfectly; I will definitely be making this dish again!

—Yvonne Kursinsky, Austin, Texas

9. Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Beetroot Sauce

I made this for my family and it was a hit!

It’s so flavorful, even the picky eaters enjoyed it.

The creaminess of the beetroot sauce balanced well with the roasted cauliflower.

We used a bit more olive oil to enhance the flavor while roasting, but overall it was delicious.

—Kendall Karimi, Berkeley, California

10. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

This recipe made an impressive centerpiece during my last dinner party.

The guests were impressed by its presentation and flavor, especially the roasted red pepper sauce which highlighted the sweet spices of both cinnamon and paprika.

I roasted it a bit longer to get more of that caramelized flavor I love so much.

This is definitely one for the recipe box – everyone enjoyed it!

—David Simonsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

11. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan Cream Sauce

This dish was delicious.

I recommend toasting the breadcrumbs before combining them with olive oil and seasonings, as this made for a nice crisp crust.

The sauce was so delicious; definitely double that recipe!

We served it as a side dish but could easily make an entree by crumbling some cooked bacon inside or topping it off with some grilled chicken.

—Augusta Rose, Beverly Hills, California

12. Cauliflower Poppers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

These poppers were amazing!

Between the smoky paprika, honey mustard dipping sauce, and freshly-chopped cauliflower they tasted awesome.

I added a sprinkle of cayenne to the breading mix for some extra kick.

I also reduced the amount of oil used to fry them—it was still enough for adequate frying without sacrificing any crispiness.

This is totally my go-to appetizer now – love it!

—Ashley Scarpuzzi, Bohemia, New York

13. Cauliflower with spiced pepper sauce

Delicious!

This spiced pepper sauce really elevates cauliflower to the next level.

I like that it’s balanced with a bit of sweetness from the peppers, tanginess from the vinegar and warmth from the smoked paprika.

Next time, I’d reduce the oil and add some sort of acidity to brighten up this dish further – citrus juice would be nice.

—Carol Fountain, Austin, Texas

14. Cauliflower with Mornay Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216595063319508418/

Absolutely delicious!

I added sautéed mushrooms to the mornay sauce and used white cheddar for some extra flavor.

The combination of cauliflower and cheese is simply out of this world, especially when you add a bit of Gruyere and nutmeg.

Perfect for an everyday meal or one that can impress friends!

—Lisa Stegmayer, Racine, Wisconsin

15. Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

This roasted cauliflower is out of this world.

I love that it only takes 3 ingredients to get a delicious side dish!

It’s great as an appetizer or in a salad too, which adds versatility to the recipe.

As far as improvements go, I like adding more herbs and some pepper flakes to the tahini sauce for extra flavor dimension.

—Jefferson Phillips, Poughkeepsie, NY

16. Cauliflower in Puttanesca Sauce

This is so good – it tastes like I’m eating in a tiny Italian restaurant!

It’s surprisingly fast to make and has delicious deep flavors.

I doubled up the amounts of oregano, red pepper flakes, olives, capers, and cauliflower for more intensity and served over spaghetti squash instead.

Perfectly hearty enough to serve as an impressive vegan main dish for guests.

—Joseph Hasler, San Diego, California

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