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Braised Whole Cauliflower alla Diavola
We give a whole head of cauliflower the pot-roast treatment by cooking it in a Dutch oven with a spicy tomato, garlic and green olive braising liquid that becomes a flavorful sauce. When the cauliflower is almost fully tender, we dust it with pecorino and return it to the oven to brown. When it emerges 15 minutes later, it is tender enough that portions can easily be scooped from the whole head with a spoon. Or, if you prefer, cut it into wedges and set them on a bed of sauce on a platter. Accompany with creamy polenta or warm, crusty bread.
4-6
Servings
Tip
Don’t forget to trim base of the cauliflower and remove any leaves. When testing the cauliflower for doneness, make sure to insert a skewer straight down in the center, as the core is the densest part and the last to finish cooking.
1¾ hours
35 minutes active
Ingredients
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3
tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
-
6
medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Directions
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01Heat the oven to 425°F with a rack in the lower-middle position. In a Dutch oven over medium, combine the oil, garlic, pepper flakes, oregano and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced to a couple tablespoons, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with juices, the olives, ½ cup water and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, then remove from the heat.
Reviews
May 31, 2026
Best Whole Cauliflower Recipe
I have tried several recipes for whole cauliflower (and cauliflower steaks) and this one is the winner by a several miles!! It does have a pizza aromas (I agree with Larissa) and flavor! It is spectacularly delicious. It is a great recipe for a dinner party because you can attend to other things while it is baking--and it comes out of the oven perfect! I also agree with Larissa that it can be served right from the pot. I used a Dutch oven that is nice enough for serving. I served it with polenta but you can also dip crusty bread into it and make a delightful mess. Thank you!!
September 19, 2025
Tastes like pizza
This was surprisingly good. It makes your kitchen smell like pizza, and it tastes like pizza. I didn’t even bother serving it: just break up the cauliflower in the pot and scoop out chunks with a baguette. One tip: make sure the cauliflower is trimmed so it lays flat. That way it can cook evenly at the end with the cheese.
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