Roasted Cauliflower Bowl (Printable Version)

Herb-roasted cauliflower with fluffy rice, 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 black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat 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 evenly coated.
03 - Spread seasoned cauliflower on prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and tender.
04 - In a saucepan, combine rinsed rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add additional water in small amounts to reach desired consistency.
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 over assembled bowls and serve immediately.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The roasted cauliflower gets crispy edges and a smoky sweetness that makes vegetables feel indulgent rather than obligatory.
  • It comes together in under an hour and actually tastes better than most restaurant bowls without the price tag.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled in minutes, so busy weeknights suddenly feel manageable.
02 -
  • Don't skip tossing the cauliflower halfway through roasting; the pieces that stay in contact with the pan get bitter, while the others stay soft.
  • The tahini sauce thickens as it sits, so make it slightly thinner than you think you want it; you can always add a splash of water to loosen it back up.
03 -
  • Pat the cauliflower florets dry with a paper towel before tossing in oil; any moisture steams instead of roasting.
  • If you're meal prepping, keep the components separate and assemble only what you're eating that day so nothing gets soggy or wilted.
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