15 Cauliflower Dishes You'll Be Raving About

Like its many brothers and sisters, cauliflower is a cultivar of the cruciferous vegetable species known as Brassica oleracea. This vegetable, whose name translates to "flowers of cabbage," emerged in Cyprus sometime between the 500s and 1500s after decades of selective breeding. The result is the whitish, round, tree-like superstar with tightly packed florets that has become the chameleon of the culinary world.

Thanks to its versatility, nutty flavor, slightly firm texture, and the creativity of clever human beings, this vegetable has been reimagined into virtually any base ingredient you can imagine, from rice to steak to pizza crust. Indeed, the humble cauliflower has likely attained this level of notoriety by its myriad health benefits, including being a low-calorie, high-fiber food source with abundant vitamin C, K, and folate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This is all great, but convincing even the pickiest eaters to consume cauliflower is the key. Sneaking it into recipes ranging from soups to pasta to side dishes takes some finesse. We scoured the Daily Meal archives to help locate some of the most delicious cauliflower recipes. Read on to see how to prepare cauliflower dishes that your whole dinner table will be raving about.

While the star of a taco salad is traditionally seasoned ground beef, what gives it great flavor are the spices used on the meat. These can easily be added to cauliflower and walnuts to create a meat-like substitute loaded with heat and savory richness. The key is the texture of the cauliflower and nuts, which should remain slightly chunky, not completely pulverized.

This recipe calls for a creamy dressing, but don't forget the acid. The nutty, umami-forward mock cauliflower will benefit from plenty of zest. Combine tomatillo salsa verde with dried ranch dressing, buttermilk, and a pinch of mayo for a luxurious spread.

Recipe: Vegan Cauliflower Taco Salad

This recipe utilizes the air fryer to create a crispy, crunchy facsimile for Buffalo chicken using cauliflower florets. Again, don't let the lack of an air fryer stop you from making this. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with a wire rack. You can continue baking the battered cauliflower as directed, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time to obtain the ideal chewy yet firm texture.

Amp up the flavor of these tacos by adding avocado and cotija cheese. If you prefer soft shell tortillas, double them so they don't dissolve under the moisture of the Buffalo sauce.

Recipe: Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

One of the things that makes cauliflower so extraordinary is its texture when it is cooked. It takes on an almost buttery mouthfeel without the need for added butter. This impossibly rich soup does not require much active effort. Once you sauté the aromatics, simply season, add the stock, pop in the cauliflower, and let it simmer to perfection.

Consider garnishing this soup with toasted slivered almonds or pepitas for extra nuttiness and crunch. The ideal accompaniment to this would be a savory garlic bread you can dunk into the velvety soup and a nice green salad with a roasted garlic or shallot vinaigrette.

Recipe: No-cream Cauliflower Soup

If you love mashed potatoes, you will not want to skip making this dish. It has all of that creamy richness of flavor with fewer calories. For a slight twist on this recipe, consider swapping the parmesan cheese with a smoked gouda. This will enhance the natural nuttiness of cauliflower while giving the dish a stretchiness that creates a comforting mouthfeel.

This dish can be served as a side with virtually any protein. You can also use it as a base for a Shepherd's pie or a casserole that features mashed potatoes. Lastly, turn them into croquettes served with a spicy Romesco sauce.

Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower

This casserole is a cruciferous vegetable and cheese lover's delight. The luscious sauce made with parmesan and cream cheeses will envelop the broccoli and cauliflower beautifully, and the bread crumbs form a crunchy topping that will become a culinary party in your mouth.

For an added burst of flavor, consider incorporating a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and half a teaspoon of umami-rich Worcestershire sauce into the cheese sauce. Serve this casserole alongside your favorite proteins, like roast chicken or pan-seared pork chops. Roasted potatoes or rice pilaf would be a simple accompaniment to sop up that rich sauce.

Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Mshat are Palestinian cauliflower fritters served as an appetizer or a hearty, savory breakfast with a minty yogurt sauce similar to tzatziki. Though this recipe incorporates some rich spices characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine, you can always add more spiciness with a hint of cayenne and some sweetness with a dash of cinnamon.

If you plan to make these for a dinner party, consider serving other Middle Eastern delicacies such as a tabbouleh salad, red lentil soup, and baked stuffed mullet with aromatics. And don't skip the flatbread sprinkled with plenty of zaatar to sop up the flavors.

Recipe: Mshat (Fried Cauliflower)

This simple Spanish-style tapas dish is equally delicious and served either hot or at room temperature. Allowing the roasted ingredients to marinate in the refrigerator overnight will give this even more depth of flavor. For a twist, add hot smoked paprika instead of the crushed red pepper and toss the roasted vegetables with just a squirt of lemon juice for brightness and zest.

To serve, pair this dish with other tapas-like recipes. Favorites include goat cheese tapenade stuffed tomatoes, garlic shrimp, sherry sautéed mushrooms, and grilled sardines. And don't forget to serve a Spanish rioja or albariño wine.

Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Olives