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    Delmarvalicious Dishes » Recipes

    Lemon Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone

    Published: Jan 5, 2022 · Modified: Nov 15, 2024 by Lynne Kenton · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Lemon Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone is an easy yet impressive appetizer! This naturally gluten-free dish is savory, salty, and sweet!

     

    A white platter features roasted cauliflower, complemented by vibrant lemon slices and glistening pomegranate seeds. Nearby, a small bowl of pomegranate seeds and a lemon rest on a wooden surface alongside a spoon and textured white cloth.

     
    I got my inspiration for this recipe from a trip to New York City with girlfriends. We had a very similar appetizer at La Pecora Bianca in Bryant Park. La Pecora served their roasted cauliflower with golden raisins and slivered almonds. I changed my recipe to include honey in the mascarpone and pomegranate arils which are full of antioxidants. This roasted cauliflower has become one of my favorite recipes to serve during the holidays! 

    If you are looking for another easy appetizer, try this Savory Roasted Sweet Potato and Mushroom Tart. This recipe uses a puff pastry, goat cheese, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms for a light and tasty handheld appetizer. Or, try these Crispy Honey Old Bay Wings. These wings are always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for football games! 

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe
    •  

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Simple ingredients. This recipe uses basic ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. 
    • Different! This recipe thinks outside of the box! 
    • Naturally gluten-free. There is always someone who is eating gluten-free when I am hosting. This recipe is naturally gluten-free so you can please everyone!  

    Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients

    The ingredients to make the roasted cauliflower are pantry staples! Here is what you will need:

    A flat lay of ingredients: roasted cauliflower florets on a plate, a bowl of pomegranate seeds, honey in a glass, salt and black pepper in a dish, a tub of mascarpone cheese, a lemon, and extra virgin olive oil on a plate. A red cloth is visible.
    • Cauliflower florets are tossed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt, and black pepper and then roasted until soft.
    • Lemon juice and lemon slices for roasted with the cauliflower for some extra tang. 
    • Mascarpone cheese and honey are whisked together for a light and creamy cheese base. 
    • Pomegranate seeds top the mascarpone cheese and add a slight sweetness and pop of color to the appetizer.

    Substitutions

    • Mascarpone cheese is somewhat of a seasonal food item. If you can't find mascarpone cheese at your local grocery store, substitute ricotta or cream cheese. 
    • Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, or turnips can be substituted for the cauliflower. These vegetables have a similar taste and texture to cauliflower when roasted. 
    • Substitute the pomegranate arils with golden raisins. 
    • The honey can be substituted with agave nectar or maple syrup. 

    Variations

    • To make it spicy, add some red pepper flakes to the cauliflower. 
    • For extra flavor, add fresh herbs such as fresh thyme or rosemary to the whipped cheese. 
    • For more lemon, add lemon zest to the whipped mascarpone. 
    • To make the cheese even smoother, add a little bit of extra virgin olive oil or truffle oil for extra flavor! 

    Step-by-Step Instructions

     

    Roasted cauliflower florets are neatly spread on a foil-lined baking sheet, ready for the oven. A hint of a red kitchen towel peeks into view from the top right corner, adding a cozy touch to this culinary preparation.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the cauliflower with the extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and add to the baking tray. Roast for 10 minutes. 

    A baking sheet lined with foil contains raw cauliflower florets and a few lemon wedges, prepared for roasting. The roasted cauliflower florets are spread out evenly across the tray, ready to turn golden and delicious in the oven.

    Step 2: Remove cauliflower from the oven and toss with the juice from 1 lemon. Add lemon slices to the cauliflower and roast for an additional 10 minutes for a total time of 20 minutes in the oven. 

    A bowl of creamy oatmeal is placed on a wooden surface, partially wrapped in a red cloth. A whole lemon sits alongside, adding a contrast of color, while roasted cauliflower complements the scene with its subtle, nutty aroma.

    Step 3: While the cauliflower is roasting, add the mascarpone cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whisk the cheese at a medium speed until smooth and fluffy about 2 minutes. Add the honey, salt, and pepper to the cheese and whisk together until combined. 

    A white platter features roasted cauliflower, complemented by vibrant lemon slices and glistening pomegranate seeds. Nearby, a small bowl of pomegranate seeds and a lemon rest on a wooden surface alongside a spoon and textured white cloth.

    Step 4: Spread the whipped mascarpone cheese onto a flat serving tray or plate. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and top with the roasted cauliflower and lemon slices. Serve warm. 

    Equipment

    • A stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer
    • Rimmed baking sheet 

    Top tip

    Make sure that the mascarpone cheese comes to room temperature before whisking. This will help the cheese to whisk evenly and avoid clumps. 

     

    A close-up reveals a plate of perfectly roasted cauliflower crowned with pomegranate seeds and creamy sauce. A vibrant lemon is softly blurred in the background, while a fork holds a floret, showcasing its delectable toppings.

    FAQ

    How should I serve this Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone?

    Serve the Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone warm as an appetizer. You can add crostini alongside to make handheld cauliflower toasts. 

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make the whipped mascarpone cheese ahead of time! Simply whisk the cheese ingredients together and spread out onto a serving tray. Refrigerate the serving tray until ready to serve. When ready to serve, roast the lemon cauliflower and then top over the mascarpone cheese. I do not recommend making the cauliflower ahead of time. 

    How can I prevent the cauliflower from becoming soggy while it roasts?

    To prevent the cauliflower from becoming soggy while roasting, make sure that the cauliflower is completely dry after you rinse it off before chopping. Spread cauliflower florets in a single layer on the baking sheet being careful not to overcrowd the baking dish. Roast the cauliflower until it is lightly golden brown in color. 

    Related

    Looking for more appetizer ideas? Try one of these recipes:

    • A platter of parmesan bread bites with pizza sauce.
      Air Fryer Parmesan Bread Bites (Copycat Domino's)
    • Air Fryer Potato Wedges (Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat)
    • Roasted Indian Cauliflower (Easy Air Fryer Recipe)
    • Biscoff Cookie Butter Chex Mix placed in a large mixing bowl with extra cookies and cookie butter.
      Biscoff Cookie Butter Chex Mix (Muddy Buddy Snack)

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lemon Roasted Cauliflower:

    • A saute pan full of cooked, bright green beans with cherry tomatoes and topped with bacon.
      Easy and Fresh Green Beans Side Dish (for a crowd)
    • A serving bowl full of pasta mixed with kale and tomatoes. Parmesan and fresh herbs surround the bowl.
      Easy Sun-Dried Tomato and Kale Pasta Salad
    • A roasted turkey on a tray, surrounded by lemon slices and fresh herbs like parsley and rosemary, garnished for presentation. The turkey is golden-brown and placed on a textured metal serving dish.
      Juicy Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey (Smoker Recipe)
    • Tray of air fryer chicken tenders with sauces.
      Naked Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Tysons Chicken) 

     

    📖 Recipe

    Roasted Cauliflower
    Print Recipe

    Lemon Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone

    Lemon Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Mascarpone is an easy yet impressive appetizer! This naturally gluten-free dish is savory, salty, and sweet!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 229kcal
    Author: Lynne Kenton

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
    • Rimmed Baking Sheet

    Ingredients

    Roasted Cauliflower

    • 1 Head of Cauliflower chopped into bite size pieces
    • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 2 Lemons
    • Seeds from a Pomegranate

    Whipped Mascarpone

    • 8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese
    • 2 tablespoons Honey
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil. Toss cauliflower with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Bake cauliflower for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and toss cauliflower. Add the juice from one lemon and slices from the other lemon. Cook for 10 additional minutes until cauliflower begins to brown.
    • Add mascarpone cheese, honey, salt, and pepper to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Mix together until light and creamy.
    • Spread whipped mascarpone cheese onto a serving dish. Place cauliflower chunks and lemon slices on top. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8g | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 292mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

     

     

     

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    Lynne Kenton of Delmarvalicious Dishes with ice cream cone

    Hi, I am Lynne and I am happy you are here! I love being in the kitchen welcoming friends and family. At Delmarvalicious Dishes, you will find simple meals, handheld snacks and a mix of coffee and cocktails!

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