5.0 from 60 votes
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
A flavorful and easy Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe seasoned all over and served with tahini sauce drizzled on top. It's our favorite vegetable side dish.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 325 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 head cauliflower , 2lbs
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Tahini Sauce:
- 1/4 cup Tahini
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice , fresh squeezed
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-2 Tablespoon cold water , if needed, to thin sauce
Garnish:
- 2 Tablespoons Pepitas
- 2 teaspoons fresh mint leaves
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- pinch Sea salt or flake salt
Optional for Serving:
- Arugula leaves tossed in olive oil , salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prep Cauliflower: Remove outer leaves away from the cauliflower and carefully cut the bottom so it’s flat, but be careful that it remains whole. Wash and dry thoroughly and carefully, with paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Make seasoning: In a small bowl combine olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt.
- Season Cauliflower: Starting with the core up, drizzle seasoning all over, using a pastry brush to spread it around. Turn it head side up and season the top.
- Roast: Add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of an oven-safe pan. Place cauliflower on pan. Apply lid (or cover the pan with aluminum foil) and cook for 45 minutes. Remove lid and cook for 10-15 more minutes, until browned on top.
- Tahini Sauce: Mix the sauce ingredients together and set aside. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Garnish: Add a layer of arugula, if using, to a serving dish. Use a large spatula (or two—one on each side) to carefully lift the cauliflower from the pot and place on serving dish. Drizzle tahini sauce over it, and garnish with pepitas, chopped mint, crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of flake salt.
- To serve, cut it into wedges, like slices of cake, or cut into cauliflower steaks.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Air Fryer Instructions: Follow the instructions above for preparing and seasoning the head of cauliflower. Place uncooked cauliflower in air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees F for about 40 minutes. Every air fryer is a little different, so keep an eye on it so it doesn't overcook.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
325kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
Monounsaturated Fat
19g
Sodium
341mg
(14%)
Potassium
546mg
(16%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
263IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
76mg
(84%)
Calcium
61mg
(6%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 325kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Sodium | 341mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 546mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 263IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 76mg | 84% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.