Cheddar Ranch Roasted Cauliflower

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

With the tangy flavors of cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning, this easy roasted cauliflower recipe is destined to become a new favorite side dish.

A pile of Cheddar Ranch Roasted Cauliflower on a white plate with a fork.

Did you know that I am sitting on a goldmine of keto recipes on this website? I am referring to older recipes that I created ages ago and have all but forgotten about. Occasionally I take a deep dive into the vault and re-discover the deliciousness.

Take this roasted cauliflower recipe with cheddar and ranch seasoning, for example. It has existed since 2015, but I haven’t thought about it several years. I make baked cauliflower all the time but I usually just season with salt and pepper. Why did I forget about this one?

Trust me, now that I’ve rediscovered it, I will never let it go missing again. It’s such a flavorful keto side dish that even those who profess to hate cauliflower will love it.

If you love cheesy side dishes, don’t miss my Zucchini Casserole or my Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash recipes!

A metal spatula lifting roasted cauliflower covered in melted cheese from a metal baking tray.

Why you need to try this recipe

When it comes to eating keto, many people find that they struggle with the sides. Grilling up some chicken or steak is the easy part, but what do you pair it with? I myself fall into the habit of making the same sides, like sautéed keto vegetables, over and over again.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much to shake things up a bit. If you’re tired of plain roasted cauliflower, tossing it with ranch seasoning and melting some cheese on top takes it up a notch.

Of course, I don’t use packaged ranch seasoning, as it often contains unhealthy additives like maltodextrin and MSG. I whip up my own by combining herbs and spices I always keep on hand, like dill, onion powder, and garlic powder. It’s super easy and has better flavor!

Ingredients you need

Top down image of ingredients for Cheddar Ranch Roasted Cauliflower.

Cauliflower: Fresh cauliflower is best as frozen can get a little mushy. Use a head of cauliflower and cut your florets or use a bag of precut florets.
Cheddar cheese: I like big shreds of cheese so I usually grate my own. I find it melts better and gives better coverage. You can use white or orange cheddar.
Olive oil: You can also use avocado oil.
Homemade ranch seasoning: Dried dill weed, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Step-by-step directions

A collage of 6 images showing how to make Keto Roasted Cauliflower.

1. Make the seasoning mix: In a large bowl, stir together the dill weed, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Prepare the cauliflower: Lay cauliflower in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil, then sprinkle with the ranch seasoning, tossing to coat.

3. Roast the cauliflower: Roast until cauliflower is tender and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Turn off the oven.

4. Add the cheese: Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes or so, until melted and bubbly.

A fork lifting a piece of roasted cauliflower covered in cheese out of a black bowl.

Expert tips

When roasting vegetables in the oven, I always recommend doing it on a metal pan with no parchment. While the clean up may be a little bit more time-consuming, the veggies get more browned and caramelized from the hot pan.

The trick to cleaning those pans is to boil some water and then pour it into the pan and let it sit. You can then scrub all the bits off very easily.

I prefer a sharp cheddar, either white or orange, for this recipe. The flavor stands up better to the cauliflower and ranch seasoning.

Close up shot of Cheddar Ranch Roasted Cauliflower on the baking tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my roasted cauliflower not crispy?

If your roasted cauliflower seems mushy and soft, without any browned edges, you likely over-crowded the pan. When the pieces are too close together, moisture can’t escape as easily, making the vegetables steam rather than roast.

I also find that parchment paper keeps the cauliflower from crisping nicely. I recommend cooking it directly on the metal pan, to get the undersides nicely browned and crisp.

Does roasted cauliflower have carbs?

Cauliflower has a few carbs, but it also has plenty of fiber and other vital nutrients. This roasted cauliflower recipe has 5.5g of carbs and 2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.5g net carbs per serving.

How do I store leftover roasted cauliflower?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Rewarm gently in the oven or microwave.

A white plate filled with roasted cauliflower covered in ranch seasoning and melted cheese.

More easy keto side dishes