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Vegan parmesan roasted cauliflower on a large plate beside fresh lemon slices and garlic cloves

Roasted Cauliflower

This easy Oven-Roasted Cauliflower is baked with a flavorful seasoning blend until the edges are perfectly crispy and caramelized. Topped with melty vegan parmesan cheese and served with a citrusy tahini dressing, meet your new favorite veggie side dish!

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword how to cook cauliflower, lemon tahini dressing, roasted cauliflower with parmesan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 162 kcal
Author Kelly

Ingredients

For the Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

  • 1 large head of cauliflower , trimmed and cut into evenly-sized florets
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or any neutral tasting oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice , about 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt or kosher salt , or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , or to taste
  • ¼ cup shredded vegan Parmesan cheese , optional. May use regular if not dairy-free - may also sub with 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for paleo / Whole30
  • Fresh chopped parsley , for garnish
  • Lemon wedge , for serving

For the Lemon Tahini Dressing (optional, for serving)

  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 - 1 tablespoons water plus more as needed
  • sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  2. Add the cauliflower to large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and add garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt and black pepper to taste. Spread evenly onto the baking sheet in a single layer, being careful not to overlap.

    A glass mixing bowl full of raw cauliflower florets coated with the seasoning blend
  3. Roast the cauliflower for about 35-40 minutes, or until the florets are tender-crisp and just starting to brown/char around the edges, rotating the pan and stirring/tossing the cauliflower halfway through.

    Freshly-baked cauliflower florets on a metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  4. Meanwhile, make the tahini dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, oil, salt and garlic until combined. Add ½ tablespoon of water and mix again until smooth (add more water as needed until desired consistency). Adjust seasonings to taste, adding more salt or tahini as needed. Set aside until ready to serve.
    A bowl of lemon tahini dressing on a countertop beside fresh parsley and olive oil
  5. After 35-40 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle with optional cheese (or nutritional yeast), if using, and toss to coat. Return to oven and roast until the cheese is melted, about 1-2 minutes. Once done, taste the cauliflower and adjust seasonings to taste, adding more salt or black pepper as needed.

  6. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and transfer to a bowl or a platter. Drizzle a spoonful of tahini sauce over the cauliflower and serve with remaining sauce for dipping, plus extra lemon if desired.

    Vegan parmesan roasted cauliflower on a large plate beside fresh lemon slices and garlic cloves

Recipe Notes

  • Nutritional info has been calculated without the cheese or tahini dressing.
  • To Store & Reheat: Refrigerate leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until hot.
  • To Freeze & Reheat: Place cooled cauliflower on a large baking sheet and freeze for at least 20 minutes. Transfer to a large resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, place frozen cauliflower in a single layer in Air Fryer basket. Heat each batch at 365°F for 7-9 minutes, or until desired crispiness is reached.
Nutrition Facts
Roasted Cauliflower
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 162 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 4g8%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.