Description
Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Mushroom Sauce elevates a simple vegetable into a luxurious culinary experience. Rich, earthy mushroom sauce envelops the caramelized cauliflower, creating a comforting dish that satisfies with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ¼ tsp dried)
- ¼ cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Set oven to 450°F (230°C), creating an optimal roasting environment for the cauliflower.
- Cauliflower Prepping: Carefully trim leaves and stem to ensure a stable base, rinse thoroughly, and pat completely dry. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning centrally for even heat distribution.
- Seasoning and Roasting: Generously drizzle olive oil over the entire cauliflower, massaging to achieve complete coverage. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then roast until a rich golden-brown develops and the vegetable becomes fork-tender, approximately 50-70 minutes depending on size.
- Mushroom Sauce Creation: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onions until translucent. Introduce mushrooms, cooking until beautifully caramelized and moisture dissipates. Incorporate garlic and thyme, allowing flavors to bloom for one minute.
- Sauce Refinement: Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, reducing liquid by half. Gently introduce cream, simmering to achieve a luxurious consistency. Fold in Parmesan cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the sauce’s depth.
- Plating and Serving: Carefully transfer roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Cascade warm mushroom sauce over the vegetable, allowing it to gracefully drape the sides. Slice into elegant wedges and accompany with additional sauce for an indulgent presentation.
Notes
- Monitor cauliflower closely during roasting to prevent burning, checking every 15-20 minutes and rotating baking sheet for even golden-brown coloration.
- Pat cauliflower completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add small amounts of broth or water to maintain desired creamy texture without losing flavor intensity.
- For vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil, cream with coconut milk, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast for similar rich, complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg