What to Serve with Whole Roasted Cauliflower (17 Easy Sides)

So, you’ve decided to roast a head of cauliflower.

Nice!

It’s one of the most delicious ways to cook the vegetable, and it only takes about 40 minutes.

But what do you serve with it?

There are many options for what to serve with whole roasted cauliflower. If you want to keep it simple, you can serve it with a salad or some roasted vegetables. If you want something more filling, you can serve it with some rice or quinoa. You could also serve it with a delicious sauce or gravy.

I’ve got 17 easy side dishes that will complement your whole roasted cauliflower beautifully—and they’ll make you look like a total pro in the kitchen.

From classics like pasta salad and potato wedges (yes!) to more creative options like grilled asparagus or roasted beets with feta cheese, I’ve got something for everyone here.

What to Serve with Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Read on for 17 quick and easy sides for whole-roasted cauliflower:

1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are my favorite vegetable and they make a great side to roasted cauliflower.

They’re naturally sweet, so they add some sweetness to the dish.

And they’re easy to cook, which is nice because you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen when you’re cooking for someone else.

2. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are delicious!

See Also: 15 Sauces for Mashed Potatoes I Can’t Resist

They have a creamy texture that goes well with anything that’s served with gravy.

It’s also a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes from another meal, so if you’ve got some extra mashed potatoes in your fridge (like from Thanksgiving), this is a great way to use them up!

3. Green Beans

Green beans (See Also: best canned green beans recipes) are delicious and nutritious—and they’re easy to find in the store.

They’re also a great way to add more vegetables to your diet.

If you want something a little more seasonal, try frozen green beans!

They’ll be just as tasty and easy to cook as fresh ones (you just have to remember to put them in the microwave for about 5 minutes before roasting).

You can also try edamame or broccoli florets as a side dish for your cauliflower if you’re looking for something else that’s healthy and delicious!

4. Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob offers sweet kernels of goodness that pair well with any meal—and especially this one!

You can grill it in the oven or cook it on an outdoor grill if you don’t have access to an indoor oven (or if you just want to make sure your corn gets extra crispy!).

5. Honey Glazed Carrots

I love serving whole roasted cauliflower with these honey glazed carrots because the sweetness of the carrots complements the savory cauliflower.

The two flavors go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Plus, they’re both delicious and nutritious so they’ll make you feel good about eating them!

6. Peas

For a more traditional side dish, I like to serve whole roasted cauliflower with peas.

They’re a great source of protein and are also full of vitamins and minerals, so they help keep you healthy (without even trying!).

They also taste delicious with my honey glazed carrots and whole roasted cauliflower!

7. Broccoli

I love broccoli.

It’s one of my favorite vegetables, and I like to think of it as a great addition to any meal.

I’m not alone in this, either—broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables in the world!

There are so many ways to prepare it, too: raw, steamed, roasted… and more!

When paired with cauliflower, the two veggies complement each other perfectly.

The texture of cauliflower is similar to that of broccoli’s stem and floret layers, which makes for awesome texture contrast when you bite into them together on your fork or spoon.

8. Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is a great way to get in some extra nutrients without having to worry about cooking time!

All you have to do is cut up your cauliflower into small pieces (the size of rice grains), and then pulse it in a food processor until it resembles grains of rice.

There are lots of ways you can flavor this dish—we like to add salt and pepper, but feel free to experiment with whatever spices sound good to you!

9. Quinoa Salad

Another option is quinoa salad.

Quinoa is high in protein and easy to digest, so it’s great for people who are trying to lose weight or eat healthier overall.

You can top this salad with whatever veggies sound good (I recommend shredded carrots or thinly sliced cucumbers), plus add some chicken or tofu if you want more protein!

10. Kale Salad

I love serving this kale salad with whole roasted cauliflower because it’s so simple and healthy, but also because it’s full of flavor.

The kale gets super crispy in the oven, and that crunch is a perfect counterpoint to the soft and creamy cauliflower.

11. Farro Salad

I also love serving this farro salad with whole roasted cauliflower because it’s hearty and filling—but not heavy.

The farro gives you that satisfying “stick-to-your-ribs” feeling without weighing you down or giving you a food baby afterwards.

12. Potato Salad

Potato Salad is a classic side dish, and one that goes perfectly with whole roasted cauliflower.

It’s easy to make and can be served warm or cold, so it’s perfect for both summer and winter meals.

13. Pasta Salad

I also like to serve a pasta salad with my whole roasted cauliflower because it’s got a nice, tangy flavor that I think complements the cauliflower well.

It’s also a great way to get in some veggies without making a separate side dish, which is something I’m always looking for when trying to make my meals more healthy!

14. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is another great option for serving with whole roasted cauliflower because it has a similar texture and crunch as the cauliflower itself.

It also adds a light, fresh flavor that can help balance out the heavier taste of the cauliflower itself.

15. Couscous Salad

If you’re looking for a healthy side to serve with your whole roasted cauliflower, consider couscous salad.

Couscous is a versatile grain that can be served warm or cold and paired with any number of ingredients.

It’s also easy to make, so you can whip it up in minutes when the mood strikes!

1. To make couscous salad, simply cook 1 cup of whole wheat couscous according to package directions.
2. Then add one 15-ounce can of chickpeas and one 15-ounce can of black beans (drained), along with half an onion (chopped), half a red bell pepper (chopped), two cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
3. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.

16. Three Bean Salad

If you want something that’s a little more hearty, try this three bean salad.

It’s got a lot of protein and fiber, so it’ll help keep you feeling full longer than just couscous alone would.

Plus, it has bold flavors from all those different types of beans—each one adds something special to the mix!

This can also be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge until you’re ready for guests.

17. Fruit Salad

I like to serve this with whole roasted cauliflower because it’s a healthy alternative to a traditional side, and it’s so easy to make!

Just chop up some fruit that you love—bananas, strawberries, mangoes, peaches—and mix them with some yogurt or cottage cheese.

I also like to add fresh mint for its fragrant flavor.

The yogurt or cottage cheese will help keep you full longer and give you extra protein in your meal.

This makes it a perfect side dish for an afternoon snack or a light dinner like whole roasted cauliflower!