Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

By Ann Fulton

A short list of ingredients and quick cooking time add to the appeal of this flavorful, low-carb side dish. Pre-riced cauliflower offers a convenient shortcut!
Jump to Recipe

A short list of ingredients and quick cooking time add to the appeal of this flavorful, low-carb side dish. Pre-riced cauliflower offers a convenient shortcut!

 

When I was a kid, noodles meant spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni or occasionally ziti, and rice meant plain old white (sometimes the minute variety). These days, a plethora of vegetables like sweet potatoes, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower pull double duty as noodles and rice. What gives?

Spiralized or riced vegetables offer low-carb appeal and provide an excellent way to incorporate more veggies into our diets. The taste and texture are not exact replicas of their starchier counterparts, but these alternatives can be pretty darn tasty when prepared with the right technique.

When I shared my recipe for Zucchini Noodles in Rustic Tomato Sauce last summer, I was slightly hesitant because the recipe works best with a spiralizer, a kitchen gadget I knew many people would not have. But I received lots of positive feedback, and many readers have since asked for more delicious recipes featuring vegetables.

As an added convenience, in the last year or so grocery store produce sections have begun offering all sorts of ready-to-go noodle and rice stand-ins. Though zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice have been the most popular and versatile to date, I recently spied butternut squash, carrot, and red beet noodles. Any firm produce that can be grated or spiralized seems to be fair game!

Of course, the convenience adds a few dollars to the price, but the prepared veggies offer a way to taste test and experiment. If you’d like to save money over time, a spiralizer can be purchased. (A recent retail price for a basic Paderno spiralizer, a brand I like, was $22.95.)

A short list of ingredients and quick cooking time add to the appeal of this flavorful, low-carb side dish. Pre-riced cauliflower offers a convenient shortcut! 

Though crumbly cauliflower florets don’t translate so well as noodles, they have proven to be extremely versatile when grated into rice-like pieces. For those who prefer to save a few dollars, this can be done quite quickly with a food processor (or less quickly and slightly more messily with a hand grater).

Cauliflower recipes for pizza crusts and breadsticks have become mainstream, and I’ve seen variations on tortillas, tabouleh, tater tots — even sushi rolls. Perhaps the easiest way to incorporate it into the weekly meal rotation, however, is as a simple side dish. And just like ordinary white or brown rice, a few well-chosen ingredients can add great flavor.

Parmesan Cauliflower Rice
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
  • 5 cups of raw cauliflower “rice” (about 20 ounces of rice from 1 medium head of cauliflower)
  • 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional garnishes: fresh minced parsley or chives; a sprinkle of paprika
Instructions
  1. If not using pre-riced cauliflower, chop the cauliflower into large florets and then put through the feed tube of a food processor fitted with the grating attachment. Alternatively, the cauliflower can be grated with a box grater. Measure 5 cups; save the rest for another use. (If you end up with a mere cup or so leftover, it will fit in the pan size mentioned below. Just add an extra teaspoon or two of oil. You may increase the garlic by 1 clove, if desired, and very slightly round the 1/2 cup of Parmesan.)
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet (12-inch diameter works well) over medium heat. Add the garlic, and sauté just until aromatic, about 30-60 seconds. You don’t want it to burn. Immediately add the cauliflower, stir to coat with the oil mixture, and increase the heat to medium-high. Season the cauliflower lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté until tender, about 6-8 minutes. (Tip: I like the cauliflower to be browned in spots, so I press it into an even layer, let it sear for a minute or two or until golden brown in spots, and then stir and repeat until tender but not mushy.)
  3. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and add another pinch of salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or paprika, if desired. Leftovers can be gently reheated in the microwave or oven.
More On YouTube More on Instagram
Tried this recipe?Post a picture on instagram and we will repost it! Mention @fountainavenuekitchen or tag #fountainavenuekitchen!
The Fountain Avenue Kitchen https://fountainavenuekitchen.com/

Leave a Reply

Make it? Rate the recipe:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Joanne

    I do a Garlic Lemon version of this, but I use a LOT of olive oil as well as butter and I cook it until it is browned… it takes a while. If it is not well done, the lemon is too overpowering and it tastes terrible. When it comes out right though? I can eat it like OATMEAL. SO GOOD!

    If I’m cooking the BIG BAG of pre-riced cauliflower, I will use 1 & 1/2 lemons.

    Works best with freshly riced cauliflower though.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Joanne, I bet your garlic lemon version is wonderful. All that extra olive oil and butter would certainly balance a good dose of lemon juice and taste lovely. Feel free to share the specifics for those who may like to try!

      Reply
  2. Pam Post author

    I made this because I’m trying to eat healthier, but it’s being added to the rotation because it’s easy and delicious! Great recipe!

    Reply
  3. Kim Post author

    I made this last night, adding a small amount of broccoli that needed to be used. It was wonderful. The Parmesan and garlic added just the right amount of flavor. Thank you!

    Reply