Make Ahead

Roasted Cauliflower with Gremolata Bread Crumbs

October  3, 2010
4.6
8 Ratings
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Roasting the cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness, and the bits that turn dark brown are irresistible. Topped with crispy panko swirled with fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon zest, this cauliflower is a lovely side dish—even for people who think they don't like the knobby white veggie. - TheThinChef —TheThinChef

Test Kitchen Notes

Before TheThinChef came along, roasted cauliflower and gremolata happily co-existed, never feeling any need to mingle. But now that we've tasted them together, they're going to be seeing a lot more of each other in our kitchens. The lemon and garlic scented panko add snap and complexity to the sweet, caramelized cauliflower -- and together you have a side dish that you could easily double or triple for a large party, and even make ahead. In fact, we like this best at room temperature, which has an added benefit: if you wait until the cauliflower is cool to sprinkle the bread crumbs on top, they'll stay good and crisp! - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 large heads cauliflower
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Trim tough stem and core from cauliflower and discard. Using a paring knife, cut cauliflower into smaller spears. Place in a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; toss to combine.
  3. Spread cauliflower out on 2 large, rimmed baking sheets. Roast until edges start to brown, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add panko and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir to coat in oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until bread crumbs are golden. Add lemon zest and garlic and toss until mixture is very fragrant and bread crumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Place in a medium bowl and add parsley, stirring to combine. Set aside.
  5. Remove cauliflower from oven and place on serving platter. Top with bread crumbs and serve immediately.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Madeline Spiker
    Madeline Spiker
  • laura
    laura
  • Ms. T
    Ms. T
  • Nick
    Nick
  • Jasmin Richie
    Jasmin Richie

70 Reviews

Mms512 December 2, 2023
I just discovered food52, and this is my first recipe to try. I was looking for a fresh take on a healthy side for dinner, and this was perfect! So tasty, my kids liked it, and it was simple. 5 stars!
 
Gardener January 6, 2022
This is spectacular in its simplicity and flavor. Five stars.
 
Madeline S. January 14, 2020
It was really good, simple, side. Easy to do.
 
laura February 10, 2019
This is a keeper! Great flavor and texture, and the whole family ate it up though I could never get them to try cauliflower. Next time I might roast for a bit longer to get even more caramelized, but this is truly delicious as is!
 
Merry January 31, 2019
Tried this tonight and made one addition that turned it into a perfect meal - a substantial smear of hummus on the plate before adding the cauliflower and bread crumbs. Delicious!
 
Aimee February 2, 2018
Yum! I always add turmeric, paprika, and cumin to the roasted caulis. Psyched to try the topping for an extra kick!
 
Ms. T. January 8, 2018
Yum! Finally tried this last night and it took our standard roast cauliflower (a staple in our house) from good to scrumptious. I now want to put these gremolata bread crumbs on EVERYTHING I eat :)
 
Nick October 19, 2017
Solid recipe. I always add crushed red pepper and red wine vinegar when pulling the cauliflower out of the oven.
 
Jasmin R. May 19, 2016
Just made this. It was a PERFECT pairing with the chicken risotto I made. Like everyone said, so simple and good. I like that it's not covered in butter, cheese, cream or any other heavy stuff, but you can do that too if you want.
 
Meagan C. January 23, 2015
Really wonderful recipe! I was out of panko so I subbed crushed homemade ciabbatta croutons I had from the night before. Delicious!
 
denise&food January 5, 2015
Very good. Great way to make it a little more special.
 
Clover88 January 5, 2015
I often make roasted cauliflower but the addition of the gremolata bread crumbs made it taste more piquant. Thx!
 
Cialina N. September 22, 2014
SO delicious.
I ended up roasting closer to 25 minutes just to get my cauliflower pieces browner. I didn't have panko bread crumbs and substituted with regular bread crumbs. Still came out fine, but I'm definitely going to get panko next time for the extra crisp!
 
diZeng June 25, 2014
Just tried this tonight, was great! definitely will make again. Thank you!
 
Muse October 9, 2013
Absolutely delicious! Will definitely add this to my Thanksgiving repertoire! Peace, Light and Love.
 
luvcookbooks October 7, 2013
Made this with purple cauliflower. It stayed purple through roasting and looked lovely on the table. Also killer delicious. I made the gremolata with mint from the garden (no parsley) and it was good. Thanks!
 
Sabine G. August 2, 2013
Just made these tonight! Fantastic! I usually just roast my cauliflower but the bread crumbs with lemon and garlic bring it to a whole new level! Thank you!
 
LiliCoopr April 5, 2013
Just finished eating this, so easy and so good! I used normal breadrumbs and more parsley, yum yum.
 
_lotus February 21, 2013
I don't go in big for cauliflower, but this was good! Paired it with the cardamom chicken tonight.
 
Nomnomnom January 15, 2013
Just made this again last night. This one is a winner in our home!
 
darksideofthespoon January 15, 2013
I make something like this all the time, only instead of lemon zest, I use preserved lemon rind. Amazing.
 
darksideofthespoon January 15, 2013
Oh, and an egg yolk broiled softly on top of the breadcrumbs!
 
mdm January 11, 2013
delicious, thank you!
 
student E. December 27, 2012
yum! my mom got the second food52 cookbook for christmas, so we made this as part of christmas dinner. a huge hit! the cauliflower needed more olive oil and i increased the garlic (we like a lot of garlic in our family!). such a nice change from plain roasted cauliflower!
 
ECMotherwell November 6, 2012
I also did a cauliflower/broccoli mix -- yum!!! I cannot wait to make and eat this again. :)
 
Cakes July 21, 2012
I made this last night and it was a huge hit. I added broccoli. I usually just roast my cauliflower and broccoli with olive oil, maldon and lemon juice. The gremolata bread crumbs were a great addition and my kids loved it! Thanks!
 
SJR June 11, 2012
I made this last evening. It was very good, but nothing spectacular - it's just a basic way to roast cauliflower....
 
betty888 April 29, 2012
I made this for a tapas party this weekend. It was super easy to make and very tasty. The only thing I wish I had done differently was to serve it in a wide, shallow bowl. I used a deeper bowl and there wasn't as much surface area for the breadcrumb topping-- so didn't use all of the gremolata. It would have been better with a bit more on the top. That said, delicious.
 
flossy August 3, 2011
perfect! made it for a party and was so easy to make earlier in the day and then wait to combine the cauliflower and bread crumbs. lots of raves, too.
 
Hummusit April 3, 2011
Sorry, that was supposed to be - "you really CAN'T skimp on the oil"....
 
Hummusit April 3, 2011
hmmm... one one hand, my daughter actually ate cauliflower!!! on the other hand you really can skimp on the oil, making this a calorie-rich(er) recipe.
 
Vstarr71 February 2, 2011
Soooo good and sooooo easy! How can something so simple be so satisfying?
 
seasonista November 28, 2010
I made this for Thanksgiving dinner. Delicious! Stood up to that heavy, decadent meal, and stood out for being lighter than the average side. Thank you!
 
KOKelley November 20, 2010
This was the first recipe I tried off Food52 (I just found it!!) and it was delicious. The panko+zest+garlic mixture was so deliciously fragrant when cooking I almost fell over. Thanks for sharing!
 
Miss V. November 20, 2010
I made this last month, and it's been on my mind at various times. Today was rainy and cold in San Francisco. A quick stop at the grocery for fresh cauliflower again yielded a scrumptious dinner. This time it was warm, comforting and lovely for a finally-arrived Autumn. Thanks!
 
VanessaS November 19, 2010
I made this tonight and it was amazing - definetely going to make for Thanksgiving!
 
HandRocksLadle November 14, 2010
I loved this recipe! I roast vegetables all the time, but never cauliflower. This is definitely going in the regular rotation.
 
sue_ann_canvasser November 7, 2010
I love the panko combination and would like to use it over or on grilled chicken or shrimp.
 
megbennington November 3, 2010
I made this last weekend and it was phenomenal! Thank you for sharing!!
 
Jeanette's H. November 2, 2010
This sounds like a nice twist on roasted cauliflower. I like the crunch and lemon.
 
Claudia1 October 23, 2010
I made this tonight and it was a HUGE hit! absolutely delicious!!!
 
ellenl October 22, 2010
I've been reading your recipe since you first posted it. I will be making it soon. Congratulations!
 
Bevi October 20, 2010
Congrats! I can't wait to make this!
 
Kelsey B. October 20, 2010
Congratulations - great recipe!
 
ashleychasesdinner October 20, 2010
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you. Great job!!
 
lapadia October 20, 2010
Congratulations on your winning recipe! I am looking forward to making it soon.
 
TiggyBee October 20, 2010
Congrats on your lovely and winning recipe!! Can't wait to try it!!
 
TheThinChef October 20, 2010
Thanks everyone for the super nice feedback. It's so appreciated!
 
gingerroot October 20, 2010
Congrats!! I can't wait to try this.
 
drbabs October 20, 2010
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
 
lapadia October 19, 2010
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
 
Rebecca October 17, 2010
I made it tonight and we loved it!!!
 
nannydeb October 17, 2010
I made this for dinner last night and we really enjoyed it. My husband asked for the leftovers to eat with his dinner tonight!
 
TheThinChef October 20, 2010
Desirable leftovers is a very high compliment :) Thanks, nannydeb!
 
Carol0813 October 16, 2010
This is a delicious dish. I've been roasting cauliflower for several years but your panko/lemon zest gremolata is a fabulous addition. I also appreciate the limited amount of olive oil you use both to roast the cauliflower and in toasting the panko. I much prefer it to the amount of oil I used to use when roasting this or any vegetable. The flavor of the vegetable really comes through so nicely this way. I loved this so much I voted for your recipe. Hope you win!
 
TasteFood October 16, 2010
Congratulations on your recipe. I am making it for a dinner party tonight!
 
PaulaK October 15, 2010
This recipe looks delicious! I can't wait to try it. In fact, I think I'll head to the supermarket right now and make this for lunch. Congratulations, TheThinChef, on becoming a finalist. I am voting for your recipe.
 
TheThinChef October 15, 2010
Thanks, PaulaK! Hope you enjoy!
 
ChefJune October 14, 2010
I love this recipe. Funny... I make cauliflower in a similar way all the time, but I couldn't think of a single thing to enter in the Cauliflower contest.
 
TheThinChef October 15, 2010
It's as simple as could be, but delicious, huh? :)
 
ashleychasesdinner October 14, 2010
Congratulations on being a finalist! Great job
 
TheThinChef October 14, 2010
Thanks, everyone, for such kind words.
 
Oui, C. October 14, 2010
There are so few ways that I really like cauliflower, but I can already tell that that this recipe will qualify for inclusion on that short, but distinguished list. Congrats! - S
 
Cupcake921 October 14, 2010
This looks fabulous, and I love that it is healthy and yummy! Congrats!
 
gingerroot October 14, 2010
Looks delicious! Congratulations on being a finalist!
 
cheese1227 October 14, 2010
Such a simple solution! Thanks.
 
mrslarkin October 14, 2010
Congrats!! I wish I was eating this right now.
 
TheThinChef October 14, 2010
Oh my goodness, I am so excited!
 
drbabs October 14, 2010
What a great recipe--congratulations on being a finalist!
 
lastnightsdinner October 14, 2010
Yay! What a great dish - congrats on being named a finalist!