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.
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
- 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.
- 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 to 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.
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.
Step 2. Pat it dry between layers of a clean kitchen or paper towel.
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.
Step 4. Roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender and golden brown, and even charred in some places.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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📖 Recipe
Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower
- 2 teaspoons olive oil avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
Protein-Rich Green Sauce:
- ½ cup hummus store-bought or homemade
- ¼ cup cannellini beans Great Northern, navy, or baby lima beans
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green herbs plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoon chopped tarragon or green herbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green herbs
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice plus more to taste
Optional toppings:
- Hemp seeds
- Chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Top the parchment paper with a wire rack. (Or use a medium rimmed nonstick baking sheet.)
- Prepare cauliflower: Rinse the cauliflower. Slice the bottom of the core off the cauliflower, leaving the main core intact. It should sit evenly on the baking sheet. Trim the larger leaves so that the top and most of the sides of the cauliflower are exposed. Leave the other leaves as they are delicious once roasted.
- Steam: Add about 3 inches water to a large pot. Bring the water to a boil and place the cauliflower inside the pot, head side up. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 7 minutes. Remove the cauliflower with a slotted spoon or spider and pat it dry. Place it stem side down on the prepared baking sheet to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Marinate: Mix the olive oil, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Remove the rack and place the cauliflower on the parchment paper. Brush the cauliflower with all the marinade until evenly coated. Use your hands to rub the cauliflower with the marinade.
- Roast for about 35 minutes, or until tender and golden brown, and even charred in some places.
- Blend sauce: Meanwhile, 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.
- Pour sauce over cauliflower and serve with a grain of your choice.
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Becks
Always wanted to try a whole roasty and this was straightforward and flavoursome, the sauce added an extra element in flavour. Have made this a few times now and it’s becoming a fave, thank you
Nisha Melvani
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you.
Primla Goddard
Love the hummus and white bean sauce that compliments the roasted cauliflower!
A great idea for cauliflower!
Nisha Melvani
Thank you! It's versatile so try it with other dishes including pasta!
Amina Sirry
Super easy. The sauce is just delicious!
Nisha Melvani
Thank you. I'm glad you like the sauce!
Primla Goddard
This dish takes an hour but it’s well worth it !
The hummus and white beans sauce goes so well with the roasted cauliflower and is packed full of nutrients. Love this recipe ❤️
Nisha Melvani
Fortunately, most of the hour is spent waiting for the cauliflower to roast, so I typically get my laundry folded in that time:) The sauce is also delicious with pasta for a quicker meal. Thanks for leaving a comment. Have a great evening.
Neena Chandiramani
Excellent cauliflower with an exciting selection of added ingredients!
Nisha Melvani
Thank you. It takes cauliflower to the next level.