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Home » Food Photos » By Meal » Dinner Ideas » Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower

Published: Mar 14, 2013 · Modified: Oct 16, 2020 by greenlitebitescom · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

I’ve been really trying to get in the habit of cooking extra specifically for the leftover potential. It makes 1-2 dinners that much easier throughout the week. So when cauliflower was on sale I picked up 2 heads and roasted them both a few days ago. Last night I used the leftovers to make a fun, cheesy side dish that, surprisingly, everyone loved!

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - final plate

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower The idea is simple: take cooked cauliflower, smash it flat, add some cheese, and re-roast.

The result is a tasty, cheesy, poppable vegetable side dish! And a nice twist from plain, old cauliflower.

Here’s what we did...

  • Leftover head of cooked (roasted) cauliflower (my batch was about 350g)
  • 2 oz Monterey jack cheese, grated
  • Dried parsley for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place a cauliflower floret on a cutting board.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - before smash

Using a mallet, give it one good whack to flatten it slightly.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - after smash

Note: This is a great task for the kids, but be prepared for a mess as small cauliflower pieces fly everywhere.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - kid smash

The mess is totally worth it though. 🙂

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, lay out the cauliflower, top with a bit of cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - before baking

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese just starts to brown.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - after baking

When they came out the 7-year-old wasn’t impressed, as you can see by the tongue...

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - unimpressed

But after one bite, he changed his tune.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - impressed

Little Bean took a bite and didn’t seem to mind it...

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - toddler eating

But overall, he wasn’t into dinner. Here’s his reaction when I told him he had to eat some chicken or he wouldn’t get any snacks later.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - crying toddler eating

Thankfully, Big Brother was there to cheer him up.

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - kids at dinner 1

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - kids at dinner 2

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - kids at dinner 3

Using Leftovers: Cheesy Smashed Cauliflower  - kids at dinner 4

Sorry, I had to share them all. They are just too stinkin’ cute! Trying to raise kids to be good eaters may be hard, stressful and sometimes seem impossible but, in my opinion, it’s a fight worth fighting.

Approx Nutritional Information per serving
Servings Amt per Serving
4 About 5 cauliflower florets
Calories Fat Fiber WWPs
65 5g 1g old: 1.5 new: 2
Sugar Sat Fat Carbs Protein
0g 3g 2g 4g
« My Certosa-Inspired Cabbage Salad
The 6-Ingredient, Family-Approved, Pork Loin Dinner »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy says

    June 18, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    Awe. Your boys are so cute. The recipe looks great!

    Reply
  2. Morey says

    April 03, 2013 at 11:25 am

    I've got leftover cauliflower sitting in my frig right now. I think this will make a great side tonight!

    Reply
  3. Anita says

    April 01, 2013 at 8:15 am

    What a great idea. I love cauliflower and will definitely try this recipe. It must be very tasty.

    Reply
  4. Jane C says

    March 17, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    This sounds amazing. Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies and I'm always trying out new recipes with it. Gina from Skinnytaste has been the source of a lot of my fav cauliflower creations. I'll be adding this one to the list, it would be a hit at my house! Roasted cauliflower + cheese, what's not to love?

    Reply
  5. Jessica says

    March 16, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Brilliant. I love cauliflower! Gotta try this. This is going to be epic. 😀

    Reply
  6. roni says

    March 15, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Jan - I haven't yet but it's on my list of things to try. 🙂

    Reply
  7. roni says

    March 15, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Margaret - What a great idea! Thanks!!

    Reply
  8. Jan Norton says

    March 15, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Love your little helpers. Have you ever made "pizza" crust using cauliflower? I have seen recipes - they look really good. Not tried but will be soon.

    Reply
  9. margaret says

    March 15, 2013 at 6:14 am

    try plastic wrap to keep flying cauliflower under control

    Reply
  10. Krista says

    March 14, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Genius idea! Can hardly wait to make this.

    Your boys remind me of when mine were little. So cute and funny and such a handful at times, especially when they'd tag team up.

    Reply
  11. jaki says

    March 14, 2013 at 10:43 am

    roni these kids of yours are gorgeous. recipe looks ingenious. personally i'd leave off the cheese. thanks for the idea though!

    Reply

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