Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers

Sweet roasted cauliflower and tangy lemon team up with Parmesan cheese and briny capers in a flavorful side dish that’s sure to impress. Pair this easy side with roasted chicken or fish, or serve over whole-grain pasta for a delicious vegetarian main course.

overhead view of Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers served on a white plate
Photo:

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

This savory Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers is one of our all-time favorite recipes, and we think you’ll love it too!  We roast the cauliflower with fresh lemon segments that pack a tangy punch when combined with Parmesan cheese and briny capers. Besides delivering big flavor, this easy side dish offers plenty of health benefits. The combination of cauliflower, citrus and Parmesan cheese helps support a healthy immune system, overall bone health and a healthy gut. Read on for our top tips and advice to make this easy roasted cauliflower dish one of your favorites as well.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • After you segment the lemon, give the membrane a good squeeze to extract the juice. Although you won’t need it here, fresh lemon juice is nice to have on hand for salad dressings or anything else that needs a tangy flavor. Lemon juice can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • We suggest grating Parmesan cheese from a block rather than buying pre-grated cheese. A good Parmesan cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano will offer the best flavor. A microplane grater is the best tool to use to finely grate Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Notes

  • Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that’s loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It also contains sulforaphane and glucosinolates, two compounds that may aid in cancer prevention. 
  • Lemons are a citrus fruit that offers plenty of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps support gut health. The vitamin C you get from lemons also helps your body make collagen for your skin, helps your body absorb iron and supports your immune system.
  • Parmesan cheese is typically made using animal rennet, but you can find vegetarian Parmesan made without animal rennet. If you're vegetarian, be sure to select Parmesan cheese that is labeled vegetarian.
overhead view of the ingredients to make Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers

Photographer: Jake SternquistFood Stylist: Annie ProbstProp Stylist: Joseph Wanek

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Ingredients

  • 1 lemon

  • 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into bite-size florets

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed

Directions

  1. Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

  2. With a sharp knife, remove skin and white pith from lemon and discard. Working over a small bowl, cut the lemon segments from their surrounding membranes, letting the segments drop into the bowl. Drain the juice from the segments and reserve for another use.

    overhead image of lemon slices in a bowl

    Photographer: Jake SternquistFood Stylist: Annie ProbstProp Stylist: Joseph Wanek

  3. Toss the lemon segments, cauliflower, 2 tablespoons oil and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper on the baking sheet and spread evenly. Roast, stirring once, until starting to soften and brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

    overhead image of cauliflower on a baking sheet

    Photographer: Jake SternquistFood Stylist: Annie ProbstProp Stylist: Joseph Wanek

  4. Sprinkle ½ cup Parmesan and 2 tablespoons capers over the cauliflower; stir to combine. Serve garnished with more Parmesan, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I make Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers ahead?

    We recommend serving this right away. That said, don’t throw away the leftovers! They can be used as a sandwich filling or a topping for salad.

  • What do I serve with Roasted Lemon-Parmesan Cauliflower with Capers?

    This versatile dish pairs well with grilled or roasted chicken, pork or fish. Turn it into a plant-based main dish by serving it over cooked pasta, or tossing it with your favorite cooked whole grain.

EatingWell.com, September 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

203 Calories
8g Fat
33g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 203
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 9g 34%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 9g 19%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Vitamin A 36µg
Vitamin C 198mg 219%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 8%
Folate 134µg
Vitamin K 38µg
Sodium 519mg 23%
Calcium 201mg 15%
Iron 2mg 12%
Magnesium 54mg 13%
Potassium 909mg 19%
Zinc 1mg 11%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a freelance recipe developer, tester and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working as a freelancer in the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.

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