Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Arugula, Walnuts and Gruyère

Name: Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Arugula, Walnuts and Gruyère
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 3/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar; 5 ounces arugula; 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated; 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

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A healthy and full-flavored salad with roasted cauliflower, peppery arugula, crunchy walnuts, creamy Gruyère, and a red wine vinaigrette. Light enough to serve as a side salad and hearty enough to serve as a main course!

roasted cauliflower salad in a large white bowl with toasted walnuts on the table.

This roasted cauliflower salad recipe is hearty enough to eat as a main course, thanks to the addition of crunchy walnuts and creamy Gruyère. But it's light enough to have as a side salad as well.

The red wine vinaigrette is light and tangy, and beautifully complements the rich cheese and bitter arugula.

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⭐️ Why This Recipe Works
🧀 Ingredient Notes
📝 Variations & Substitutions
🔪 How To Make It
👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
🍽 Related Recipes
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Arugula, Walnuts and Gruyère

⭐️ Why This Recipe Works

Taste: Peppery arugula, toasted walnuts, nutty Gruyère, and a tangy and bright red wine vinaigrette make it a harmonious dish.
Texture: Crunchy, creamy, crisp, and tender
Healthy: This (naturally gluten-free) vegetarian salad is packed with cauliflower, arugula, and walnuts, making it high in both fiber, protein, and many nutrients.
Easy: Prep time is just 15 minutes
Great for weekly meal-prep
Beautiful addition to your holiday table

🧀 Ingredient Notes

Cauliflower - Rinse or soak your cauliflower florets and pat dry before roasting.
Red wine vinegar - Adds deep flavor and zippiness to our salad.
Arugula - Peppery greens that balance our the richness of nuts and cheese.
Gruyère cheese - A drier, nutty cheese similar to Parmesan.

cauliflower salad with walnuts on a white plate with fork and walnuts scattered around.

📝 Variations & Substitutions

Cheese. Substitute another nutty cheese, like Manchego or Parmesan.
Make vegan: Use your favorite plant-based cheese or omit it completely.
Vinegar. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used.
Greens. Fresh spinach or kale can replace the arugula.
Nuts. Use your favorite nut in place of walnuts.

🔪 How To Make It

Heat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar with the remaining salt and pepper, and then whisk in the remaining oil.

In a salad bowl, toss the arugula, cheese, nuts and warm cauliflower. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until well combined.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make ahead: The cauliflower can be roasted one day ahead of time. Just slip the roasted florets back into a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes right before serving. Assemble and dress the salad.
How to serve: This salad is best served warm but it can also be served chilled.
Garnish with quick pickled red onions for extra crunch and tanginess.
For a holiday table: Pair it with any holiday side dish, like my easy vegetarian mushroom stuffing or red skin mashed potatoes with garlic. And for a show-stopping holiday dessert, try my caramel nut tart!

Large arugula salad with cauliflower, walnuts, and cheese with a serving spoon.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy?

Make sure your cauliflower is not overcrowded on the baking sheet when roasting. In addition, using ample olive oil (or your preferred fat) and roasting at a higher heat will prevent mushy cauliflower.

Should cauliflower be washed before roasting?

The best practice is to give your cauliflower florets a good rinse or soak after chopping. Be sure to pat dry with a paper towel or dish towel before roasting to avoid excess moisture.

Is roasted cauliflower good reheated?

Roasted cauliflower is easy to reheat. Just slip the roasted florets back into a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15-20 minutes (until nice and crisp) right before serving.

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