Roasted Cauliflower Bowl (Printable)

Herb-roasted cauliflower served over rice with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Roasted Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
04 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

09 - 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice, rinsed
10 - 2 cups water
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
14 - 1 cup shredded carrots
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens

→ Tahini Sauce

17 - 1/4 cup tahini
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
19 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
20 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
21 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
22 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
23 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until all florets are evenly coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
03 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until cauliflower is golden brown and tender at the edges.
04 - Place rinsed rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
05 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, olive oil, maple syrup, and garlic powder until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency by adding additional water as needed.
06 - Divide cooked rice among serving bowls. Layer spinach, roasted cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and red onion on top of rice.
07 - Drizzle tahini sauce generously over each bowl and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets crispy and slightly charred in all the right places, nothing soggy or steamed about it.
  • You can throw this together with whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it genuinely flexible instead of precious.
  • That tahini sauce is a game-changer—tangy, creamy, and it ties everything together like magic.
02 -
  • Don't crowd your baking sheet with cauliflower or it steams instead of roasts—give each piece space and you'll be rewarded with crispy exteriors.
  • The tahini sauce thickens as it cools, so make it a little thinner than your target consistency and it'll be perfect once plated.
03 -
  • Pat your cauliflower florets dry before tossing with oil—moisture is the enemy of crispiness, and dry florets roast instead of steam.
  • Taste your tahini sauce before you plate; lemon juice strength varies, so you might need slightly more to cut through the nuttiness.
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