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    Home » Recipes » Savory

    Creamy Lemon-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

    August 24, 2020 by Chenée Lewis

    54 shares

    This is a recipe that has been in my rotation for years! I love roasted veggies, and cauliflower is a big fave of mine. The way it gets all caramelized and crunchy, and it's so carb-friendly!

    Creamy Keto Lemon-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe | Chenée Today
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    *This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

    If you like this roasted cauliflower, check out my Puff Pastry Pizza, my New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, and my Spicy Shrimp Macaroni Salad Recipe!

    Creamy Roasted Cauliflower

    This creamy roasted cauliflower side dish is perfect as an easy alternative to mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or pasta. But I don't serve it as an alternative to anything -- it's one of my favorite side dishes in its own right.

    This creamy roasted cauliflower recipe begins with a simple roasted cauliflower technique. You'll just toss your cauliflower florets with some oil, garlic, and seasonings. While they're getting crispy and brown in the oven, you'll prep a quick two-ingredient creamy dressing.

    The combination of lemon and cream cheese gives this roasted cauliflower dish so much flavor! Finally, I like to top it all off with some chopped green onions, just to add even more flavor. The fresh, aromatic flavor of the green onions works perfectly with the lemon.

    You've got to try this roasted cauliflower recipe for your next dinner or lunch! And if you love cheesy recipes, you'll want to check out my Cottage Cheese Alfredo!

    Jump to:
    • Creamy Roasted Cauliflower
    • Ingredients
    • Step by Step
    • Equipment
    • Tips for the best creamy roasted cauliflower
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    This is one of the easiest dishes I make! It only takes a few ingredients:

    • cauliflower florets - I usually just pick up a bag or two of fresh cauliflower florets from the produce section and cut some of them so that they're evenly bite-size. That makes this recipe even easier with minimal prep. But if you aren't able to find the pre-cut florets, feel free to pick up a head of cauliflower, wash and dry it, and chop it into bite-size florets.
    • extra-virgin olive oil - helps to get the edges of your cauliflower nice and brown, and adds some delicious flavor!
    • fresh chopped garlic - Fresh garlic is a must! In this recipe it gets browned and crispy, so it adds little bits of flavor. I like to make it easier by using this amazing garlic press!
    • red pepper flakes - I love to add a little spice whenever I'm roasting veggies, and this roasted cauliflower is no exception! But
    • salt and pepper
    • cream cheese - the tart flavor of the cream cheese coats every bit of the cauliflower and gives it such a rich, creamy texture! This is the key to this recipe!
    • fresh squeezed lemon juice - brightens up this roasted cauliflower and thins out the cream cheese a bit to allow it to spread over the cauliflower.
    • scallions/green onions - adds another layer of crunch and flavor to top this dish.

    Step by Step

    1. First, you'll toss your cauliflower with your oil, garlic, and seasonings. This quick step preps the cauliflower for maximum flavor as it roasts.
    2. Then, roasted your cauliflower on a lined baking sheet until they're nice and browned -- or if you're like me, a little longer so that the edges are charred a bit!
    3. While your cauliflower is roasting, heat the cream cheese and lemon juice in the microwave.
    4. Finally, toss the roasted cauliflower with the lemon cream cheese mixture and top with chopped green onions to serve!

    Equipment

    This is a basic roasted veggie recipe, so you'll definitely need a sheet pan and a silicone liner or parchment paper to line your pan. Other than that, just a garlic press and a mixing bowl to toss your roasted cauliflower with your creamy lemon topping is all you need!

    Tips for the best creamy roasted cauliflower

    Line your baking sheet with parchment, or (even better) a silicone baking mat. Lining your pan is essential to prevent sticking and make clean-up a lot easier. Plus, using a silicone baking mat like this one helps everything cook more evenly.

    Season lightly at first, then add a little more salt and pepper as your last step. This dish is easy to season after it's cooked, so to avoid oversalting, just salt it lightly before roasting and then once you've tasted your finished product, add more salt and pepper if needed.

    Serve warm OR cold! I like to enjoy this creamy roasted cauliflower warm as a side dish, but I've also had it chilled as a picnic side dish -- it can be a delicious, low-carb alternative to pasta salad or potato salad!

    Related Recipes

    If you like this creamy lemon-garlic roasted cauliflower, you will definitely want to try my broccoli, tomato, and feta salad or this delicious Big Mac salad! And for a yummy keto meal, try this keto curry!

    Lemon lovers will definitely want to check out my Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust, my Lemon Dump Cake, or my Ricotta Lemon Pasta!

    Another delicious recipe that comes together so easily and is low in carbs is my rotisserie chicken salad! It starts with a store-bought rotisserie chicken, and in minutes you'll have a fantastic meal that's full of flavor! Give it a try for your next lunch or easy dinner!

    And for another easy way to cook cauliflower, check this post to find out how long to boil cauliflower!

    📖 Recipe

    Creamy Keto Lemon-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe | Chenée Today

    Creamy Lemon-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

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    An easy recipe for spicy keto roasted cauliflower with garlic and spices, baked and tossed in lemon and cream cheese and topped with green onions. Serve warm or chilled as a salad!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Brunch, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 246kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • ¾ sheet baking pan
    • silicone baking mat
    • parchment paper
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowls
    • garlic press

    Ingredients

    • 10 oz cauliflower florets - roughly chopped
    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic - chopped or pressed through a garlic press
    • sea salt
    • fresh cracked black pepper
    • 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - to taste
    • 4 oz cream cheese - softened
    • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 2 green onions - sliced, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
    • Combine cauliflower florets, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a bowl and toss to coat.
    • Spread cauliflower mixture on prepared sheet pan and season lightly with salt and pepper.
    • Place in preheated oven and roast until cauliflower is well browned, about 30 minutes.
    • Heat lemon juice and cream cheese in microwave for about 45 seconds until warm; mix until smooth.
    • Toss warm roasted cauliflower with lemon-cream cheese mixture and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve warm or chill until ready to serve.
    Last Step!Click here to leave a review and a star rating! It helps spread the word and allows me to keep sharing free recipes! 🥰

    Notes

    Line your baking sheet with parchment, or (even better) a silicone baking mat. Lining your pan is essential to prevent sticking and make clean-up a lot easier. Plus, using a silicone baking mat like this one helps everything cook more evenly.
    Season lightly at first, then add a little more salt and pepper as your last step. This dish is easy to season after it's cooked, so to avoid oversalting, just salt it lightly before roasting and then once you've tasted your finished product, add more salt and pepper if needed.
    Serve warm OR cold! I like to enjoy this creamy roasted cauliflower warm as a side dish, but I've also had it chilled as a picnic side dish -- it can be a delicious, low-carb alternative to pasta salad or potato salad!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 246 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 23 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 42 mg | Sodium: 144 mg | Potassium: 384 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 3 g | Calcium: 64 mg | Iron: 1 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this creamy roasted cauliflower recipe for later!

    Last Updated on March 17, 2025 by Chenée Lewis

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    54 shares

    Comments

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    1. Robin says

      September 02, 2020 at 1:54 am

      5 stars
      I love the simplicity and ease of this recipe. I will be trying it soon!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis says

        September 02, 2020 at 5:05 am

        Thanks! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    2. Amber Woodruff says

      September 02, 2020 at 1:43 am

      Ohh! I need to try this ASAP!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis says

        September 02, 2020 at 5:06 am

        Definitely! let me know how you like it 🙂

        Reply
    3. Shani Walker says

      September 02, 2020 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      Made this beside some BBQ as a potato salad alternative - this was so tasty and a creative way to eat my veggies! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis says

        September 02, 2020 at 5:06 am

        Awesome! It's great as a BBQ side dish.

        Reply
    4. Maya Hawkins-Nelson says

      September 01, 2020 at 4:18 pm

      These cauliflower florets look great and so unlike any other cauliflower recipe I've seen! I will definitely be giving these a try!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis says

        September 02, 2020 at 5:06 am

        Thanks! I really enjoy cooking cauliflower this way.

        Reply

    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking and cooking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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