Sauteed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions & Spinach Recipe
A flavorful and healthy dish featuring sautéed cauliflower rice combined with caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and crumbled feta cheese. This quick and nutritious recipe balances savory and tangy flavors with a hint of thyme and balsamic vinegar, perfect as a light main or a side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced into half-circles
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups cauliflower rice
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
Pantry Items
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Dairy
- 1 ounce (about 3 tablespoons) crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Cover the skillet and continue cooking until the onions turn golden brown, stirring occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Deepen onion flavor: Pour in 1/4 cup water and sprinkle in dried thyme. Cover the skillet again and cook the onions until they develop a deep golden brown color, about 15 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, ground pepper, and an additional 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Cook the cauliflower rice: Add the cauliflower rice to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower begins to soften, approximately 5 minutes.
- Wilt spinach and finish: Add the fresh spinach leaves and crumbled feta cheese, stirring gently until the spinach is just wilted. Finally, stir in the minced flat-leaf parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Using a nonstick skillet helps prevent the onions from burning while caramelizing.
- If cauliflower rice is not available, you can pulse fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until rice-sized.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, after adding feta as it can be salty.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or can be served as a vegetarian main.
- For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
Keywords: sautéed cauliflower, caramelized onions, spinach recipe, healthy side dish, Mediterranean vegetables, vegetarian cauliflower recipe
