Roasted Cauliflower Bowl (Printable)

Herb-roasted cauliflower over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini dressing.

# What You 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 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 Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted cauliflower gets crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, and honestly it tastes nothing like you're being virtuous about vegetables.
  • Everything can be prepped while the oven does the heavy lifting, so you're not scrambling at dinner time.
  • That tahini sauce is smooth, tangy, and somehow makes plain rice taste like you actually know what you're doing in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet or the cauliflower will steam instead of roast; give each floret breathing room so it develops that golden crust.
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or gets too thick, whisk in water a little at a time; it's more forgiving than you think.
03 -
  • Pat the cauliflower dry after cutting it so the oil actually crisps the exterior instead of steaming it.
  • Taste your tahini sauce before drizzling it onto bowls; acid and salt levels differ between brands of tahini, so adjust to your preference.
Go Back