Braised Cauliflower

Looking for a delicious and easy vegetable dish? Try braised cauliflower in tomato sauce! This healthy, flavorful recipe makes a perfect side or vegetarian main course for any occasion.

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s both easy and elegant then you’re going to love this braised cauliflower.  When it comes to vegetables cauliflower is a hardworking multitasker, you can rice it, roast it, mash it or throw it in a salad but have you ever braised it?

Whether you’re looking for a comforting, yet light vegetarian main, or a healthy vegetable side, this braised cauliflower in tomato sauce is an absolute winner. The cauliflower absorbs the rich, flavors of the tomato sauce, creating a dish that can do double duty as both a main course and a side. Healthy and easy to make, it’s a vegetable-centric dish that’s perfect for either a weeknight dinner or a special meal.

Braised Cauliflower

Braising isn’t just for meat; it’s also a fantastic way to prepare vegetables.  The process involves slowly cooking the vegetables in a small amount of liquid or sauce, which helps them become meltingly tender. It’s a method that’s particularly ideal for vegetables like cauliflower, which easily absorb flavors (in this case a tomato sauce) as they cook.  It only takes a few minutes of prep time but results in a pretty irresistible dish that can be served in a number of ways.  Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient Notes:

(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.  As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Cauliflower – You’ll need a medium to large head of cauliflower.
• Canned Tomatoes – I like to use San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavor if possible but any canned tomatoes will do.
• Olive Oil – Use your favorite extra-virgin olive oil.
• Garlic – A few cloves of garlic gives the sauce great flavor.
• Red Pepper – A pinch of red pepper flakes brings a bit of heat to the tomato sauce.
• Olives (optional) - Use kalamata olive for the best flavor.
• Capers (optional) - Briny capers add a bright pop of flavor to the sauce.
• Parsley – A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley is used to finish the cauliflower.

How to Make Braised Cauliflower:

(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe.  Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

1. Start by pulsing the canned tomatoes in a food processor until chunky (or alternatively you can crush the tomatoes in a bowl by hand).
2. In a pot large enough to hold the cauliflower, heat the olive oil, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook just until fragrant.
3. Add the cauliflower to the pot and pour the tomatoes over the top and around the sides.
4. Let the sauce come to a simmer; turn down the heat, cover and let cook at a bare simmer until tender spooning the sauce over the top of the cauliflower about halfway through.
5. Carefully transfer the cauliflower onto a serving platter. Spoon the tomato sauce over the top and around the cauliflower.
6. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions:

This braised cauliflower in tomato sauce is incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are a few ideas:

• Pair it with your favorite main and serve as a side.
• Serve as a vegetarian main with a salad as a side.
• Cut the cauliflower into florets and toss with your favorite pasta as a main.

More Cauliflower Recipes:

• Pesto Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Cauliflower Tabbouleh
• Cauliflower Fried Rice