Easy Whole Roasted Cauliflower

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Easy Whole Roasted Cauliflower with a high-protein green goddess vegan sauce that transforms cauliflower into a balanced and satisfying meal. An enticing main dish that looks and tastes amazing.

One whole roasted cauliflower on a white plate topped with a green sauce, chopped pistachios, hemp seeds, and parsley.

Adding protein to cauliflower has never been easier! This healthy blender green dressing is packed with protein from hummus and white beans, and transforms whole roasted cauliflower into a healthy and delicious main. Serve with a grain of your choice for a complete meal.

This recipe is very versatile. Use store-bought or homemade hummus, any variety of white beans, and fresh herbs you have on hand. You can also skip the sauce and make the marinated whole roasted cauliflower for a delicious side dish.

This was inspired by my Crispy Cauliflower Steaks & Pesto Pasta on this site, as well as these Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with a healthy Green Goddess Dressing.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🌿 Substitutions
📖 Instructions
💡 Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Paprika, turmeric, and oil in small white bowl with one medium head cauliflower and a gray silicone brush. — Ingredients for the whole roasted cauliflower.

Cauliflower is high in phytonutrients, which help regulate inflammation, and have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition, they are what give cauliflower their unique smell! Plus, cauliflower is high in water and fiber, keeping you hydrated and regular (in bowel movement). Water and fiber also make us feel full quickly, which is why this meal so satisfying.
Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory compounds making this dish more nutritious. It also adds an attractive orange hue to the cauliflower when mixed with paprika. It has a strong earthy taste that magnifies the flavors of other spices.
Oil serves as a vehicle for the spices, adding flavor and crispiness to the cauliflower.

Hummus, nutritional yeast, white beans, tamari, chopped tarragon, chives, and parsley in bowls, one half lemon on a gray table. — Ingredients for the high-protein green sauce.

White beans add protein, fiber, iron and more texture to the sauce. Any variety of white bans will work.
Tamari or soy sauce adds flavor and umami to the green dressing.
Nutritional yeast adds protein, vitamins and minerals (including vitamin B₁₂), and an umami cheesy flavor the the sauce.
Tarragon has a mild licorice taste that takes this dressing to the next level. It is blended with chives, and parsley, which packs in a ton of flavor. However, you can use any herbs you have on hand.

See recipe card for quantities.

🌿 Substitutions

White beans - use cannellini, Great Northern, navy and baby lima beans
Tarragon, parsley, chives - Use an equal amount of fresh herbs you already have on hand. Basil, cilantro, and scallions (green and light green parts) all work well.
Nutritional yeast - you can omit this ingredient as needed
Tamari - use gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free meal, or use soy sauce instead as needed

Visit my Veggie Bowls Recipes page for more pantry-friendly, easy-to-make veggie bowls, served with a delicious dressing or sauce.

📖 Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450ºF.

One medium head cauliflower in a spider coming out of a stainless steel saucepan with water.

Step 1. Slice the bottom of the core off the cauliflower, leaving the main core intact. Steam the cauliflower inside a pot with 3 inches water, head side up, for 8 minutes. Remove it with a slotted spoon or spider.

One head steamed cauliflower between layers of a beige towel being dried.

Step 2. Pat it dry between layers of a clean kitchen or paper towel.

One orange colored marinated head of cauliflower next to an empty bowl of orange colored marinade and a silicone brush.

Step 3. Mix the olive oil, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Brush the cauliflower with all the marinade until evenly coated. Use your hands to rub the cauliflower with the marinade.

Whole orange roasted cauliflower on a mesh rack.

Step 4. Roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender and golden brown, and even charred in some places.

Vibrant green sauce in a white bowl with hemp seeds on top.

Step 5. Blend the hummus, white beans, nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, tamari, lemon juice, and ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons water. Add salt to taste.

Black fork with a piece of cauliflower covered in green sauce and pistachio sprinkles.

Step 6. Pour sauce over cauliflower and serve with a grain of your choice. Top with hemp seeds and chopped nuts for additional protein.

💡 Expert Tips

Leave the leaves when trimming the core. They become crisp on the oven like kale chips.
Dry the cauliflower and set aside to cool on a wire rack before marinating. The dryer the cauliflower, the more crispy it will get in the oven.
Refrigerate any remaining sauce or cauliflower in separate airtight containers for up to 5 days.
Serve the sauce warm or chilled. It also tastes delicious with pasta, on veggie bowls, or with. any roasted veggie.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What is nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, which means yeast cells are killed during processing and no longer active. It has a nutty, cheesy, and savory umami flavor. It's commonly used as vegan cheese substitute.
Nutritional yeast comes in the form of powder or flakes, and is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B₁₂.

Do you need to steam the cauliflower before roasting?

Steaming the cauliflower before roasting makes it more tender and delicious. The heat from the water vapor penetrates the florets, collapsing their cell walls which partially soften its fibrous structure. Do not boil the cauliflower as this destroys and leaches several nutrients.

Is roasted cauliflower high in carbs?

Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium. A one-cup serving contains only 25 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber.
The green goddess sauce in this recipe adds protein and heart healthy fat to cauliflower, transforming it into a main dish.