Italian · Dinner

Cauliflower Risotto

Cauliflower rice cooked like risotto with onion, stock and peas, then stirred creamy with Parmesan and butter. Four servings in 30 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 30 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Don't Make These Mistakes

Pulse the cauliflower in short bursts; a blender run too long turns it to a paste.

If the mixture looks wet after the second addition of stock, simmer it for another minute or two uncovered.

Taste before you season, since the Parmesan brings plenty of salt.

How to Make Cauliflower Risotto

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  1. Heat the oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

  2. Add the cauliflower and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in half the stock and simmer, stirring now and then, for 4 minutes, until it has mostly been absorbed.

  3. Add the remaining stock and the peas and cook for 4 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender and the mixture is creamy but not soupy.

  4. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the Parmesan, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Taste, adjust the seasoning and scatter with the parsley.

Why the Method Works

Do not add all the stock at once. That is the rule of risotto, and it holds here too, because cauliflower rice releases its own water as it cooks and turns to soup if it is drowned. Add the stock in two halves and watch the pan.

Rice the cauliflower by grating it on the coarse side of a box grater, or pulse it in a food processor in short bursts until it looks like rice. Cook it for about 10 minutes, in all, and stop at tender. It goes from firm to mushy quickly. The creaminess comes from Parmesan and a spoonful of butter stirred in off the heat, with the cauliflower itself giving the rest of the body.

Peas add sweetness and colour at the end. Lemon and parsley lift the richness. Serve it straight away, because it thickens as it stands, and loosen leftovers with a splash of stock when you reheat them.

Leftovers, Reheating and Keeping

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of stock.

Changing the Recipe

  • An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.

What to Serve Alongside

  • A rocket salad
  • Roasted tomatoes
  • Grilled chicken or fish

Still Wondering?

How long does Cauliflower Risotto take to make?

About 30 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Cauliflower Risotto?

Pulse the cauliflower in short bursts; a blender run too long turns it to a paste. If the mixture looks wet after the second addition of stock, simmer it for another minute or two uncovered. Taste before you season, since the Parmesan brings plenty of salt.

What should I serve with Cauliflower Risotto?

A rocket salad; Roasted tomatoes; Grilled chicken or fish.

How should Cauliflower Risotto be stored?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of stock.

Is Cauliflower Risotto suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Cauliflower Risotto?

About 190 kcal per serving, with 9 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate and 10 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutrition per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

190Calories
9gProtein
16gCarbs
10gFat
5gFibre
6gSugar
380mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.