Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon is delicious and easy! Sharp Irish white cheddar cheese is melted all over roasted cauliflower and crispy bacon. This recipe will serve 4 to 6.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Who doesn’t love a simple side dish?

In this incredibly flavorful and addictive side, seasoned roasted cauliflower is topped with crispy bacon, melty Irish sharp white cheddar and served sprinkled with snipped fresh chives.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Prepare to fall in love.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon ingredients

TO Make This Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower You Will Need:

  • center cut bacon – If using a different (more fatty) bacon, you will need to use only 2 to 3 tablespoon bacon fat.
  • cauliflower florets – I like to buy precut cauliflower to save time.
  • warm bacon fat – Reserved from cooking the bacon.
  • kosher salt – Enhances the flavors in this recipe.
  • freshly ground black pepper – For distinct bite and flavor.
  • garlic powder – Adds flavor that’s sweeter yet milder than fresh garlic.
  • onion powder – Lends bold oniony flavor.
  • Irish sharp white cheddar – I use Kerrygold (not sponsored).
  • chives – Adds bright mild onion flavor.

chopped bacon in skillet

Preheat your oven to 450°F (or 230℃) and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Add 6 slices of diced center cut bacon to a 10-inch skillet.

cook until crispy

Cook 8 to 10 minutes over medium to medium-low heat, stirring often, until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon, leaving the bacon in the skillet, to a paper towel lined plate and set off to the side.

add cauliflower florets in bowl with bacon fat and seasonings

Make The Roasted Cauliflower:

Add 1-1/2 pounds of cauliflower florets to a large mixing bowl. Add the bacon fat from the skillet, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

toss well to combine

Use a rubber spatula to toss well until evenly coated.

add to a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer

Transfer the seasoned cauliflower to the prepared pan and spread in an even layer.

roasted cauliflower

Roast the cauliflower on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway to ensure even cooking and browning.

scoot to the center and sprinkle with 2/3 of the bacon

Once roasted, scoot them into the center of the sheet pan and sprinkle with 2/3 of the crispy bacon pieces. If the broccoli sticks, let it cool for a few minutes and it should unstick itself.

sprinkle with Irish cheddar

Sprinkle the cauliflower and bacon with about 4 ounces (more or less to your preference) of freshly grated Irish sharp white cheddar cheese.

return back to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes

Place the pan back into the oven until melted, about 2-3 minutes or so.

scoop and transfer to a serving dish

Drool.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Transfer the cheesy cauliflower and bacon to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Serve immediately.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

The Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower definitely rounds out a steak dinner, but the cauliflower works next to pretty much anything. I love them. A lot.

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Enjoy! And if you give this Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon
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Yield: 4 servings

Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon

This Roasted Cheddar Cauliflower with Bacon is delicious and easy! Sharp Irish white cheddar cheese is melted all over roasted cauliflower and crispy bacon.
This recipe will serve 4.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 slices center cut bacon, chopped
  • 1½ pounds cauliflower florets
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons reserved bacon fat, warm
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more or less to taste
  • 4 ounces Irish sharp white cheddar, freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 450°F (or 230℃).
  • In a large bowl add the cauliflower florets with bacon fat, salt, garlic and onion powder and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
  • Scatter the florets on a metal, rimmed sheet pan in an even layer. Roast the cauliflower on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway to ensure even cooking and browning.
  • Once roasted, scoot them into the center of the sheet pan and sprinkle with 2/3 of the crispy bacon pieces. If the broccoli sticks, let it cool for a few minutes and it should unstick itself. Sprinkle the cauliflower and bacon with the cheese. Place the pan back into the oven until melted, about 2-3 minutes or so.
  • Transfer the cheesy to a serving dish and sprinkle with snipped fresh chives and extra freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 714mg, Potassium: 545mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 318IU, Vitamin C: 82mg, Calcium: 241mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Laurie McNamara
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American

This recipe was originally posted on May 19, 2011 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.