Yummy Cauliflower Bowls

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Vegan bowl packed with shawarma cauliflower, crispy chickpeas, and tahini. 50-minute dish, great for 4 servings or prep ahead.
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Updated on Sun, 27 Apr 2025 10:42:43 GMT
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Fresh and Flavorful Cauliflower Bowls | chefmelt.com

Middle Eastern food has this amazing way of turning basic stuff into something special. These Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls do just that - they take plain cauliflower and make it amazing with tasty spices and smooth tahini sauce. After tweaking this many times, I've found the real trick is getting the cauliflower nicely browned while keeping those chickpeas super crunchy.

I made these bowls for some friends last week who usually don't go for veggie meals. They couldn't believe how filling and tasty they were. What's my trick? Taking enough time to roast the cauliflower until it gets those golden edges.

Key Ingredients and Their Purpose

  • Cauliflower: Gets a meat-like texture when roasted right
  • Chickpeas: Add protein and that awesome crunch
  • Curry powder: Brings warmth and richness to the spice mix
  • Fresh herbs: Add brightness to the tahini sauce
  • Tahini: Makes a smooth sauce that pulls everything together

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Nailing the Roasting
Cut cauliflower pieces the same size so they cook evenly. Don't cram them on the baking sheet. Turn the pan around halfway through cooking. Watch for dark golden edges on your cauliflower.
Getting the Sauce Right
Make sure your tahini isn't cold from the fridge. Slowly add water while you mix. Keep tasting and adjusting as you go. Have extra water nearby if it gets too thick.
Putting It All Together
Start with warm rice for nice temperature differences. Build your layers thoughtfully so it looks good. Add the fresh stuff at the end. Pour sauce on just before eating.

While playing around with this recipe, I found that letting the hot roasted stuff cool a bit before adding everything else actually makes the flavors pop more and keeps the fresh ingredients from getting soggy.

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Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls Recipe | chefmelt.com

These Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls hit that perfect spot between healthy and yummy. The way the spiced cauliflower browns, plus the crunchy chickpeas and rich tahini sauce, makes a bowl that's good for you but also something you'll really want to eat.

Building Your Perfect Bowl

Getting these bowls right comes down to smart assembly:
Put heavier ingredients first, lighter ones on top
Mix up the colors to make it look appetizing
Keep wet stuff separate if making meals ahead
Play with hot and cold elements for more interest

Fixing Common Problems

From my kitchen tests, here's how to fix issues:
If cauliflower gets steamy instead of crispy: Use a bigger pan or cook less at once
If chickpeas aren't crunchy: Make sure they're super dry and spread out
If tahini sauce tastes too bitter: Add more lemon and a tiny bit of honey
If rice clumps together: Wash it well before cooking and fluff with fork after

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Easy Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls Recipe | chefmelt.com

Changing With The Seasons

This basic dish works great with seasonal changes:
Spring: Throw in some roasted asparagus and fresh peas
Summer: Add grilled zucchini and lots of fresh herbs
Fall: Mix with roasted butternut squash
Winter: Include roasted root veggies for heartiness

Perfect For Meal Prepping

Keep everything fresh all week long:
Store roasted stuff apart from fresh ingredients
Put sauce in little containers
Cook extra veggies for fast meals later
Keep herbs in water like you would flowers

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Healthy Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls | chefmelt.com

What's so great about these Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls is how flexible they are and how good the ingredients are for you. Whether you want a filling plant-based dinner or just want to eat more veggies, these bowls pack both nutrition and flavor into every bite.

Good vegetarian cooking is all about building up flavors and making interesting textures. From the browned cauliflower to the crispy chickpeas and creamy sauce, each part works together to make a meal you'll remember that leaves you feeling good and satisfied.

This dish shows that eating healthy can still be super tasty. The warm spices, roasted veggies, and creamy sauce come together in a bowl that's both good for you and really delicious, making it perfect to add to your regular meal lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these bowls ahead?
Sure, store each part separately in the fridge for about 3 days.
→ What grains can I use instead of rice?
Swap rice for quinoa, couscous, or any grain you like.
→ Is this naturally gluten-free?
Yep, follow the instructions as they are, and you're good to go.
→ How do I make the tahini sauce thinner?
Mix in some warm water till it's as thin as you want.
→ What’s the best way to keep leftovers?
Use sealed containers and store parts separately for 3 days.

Cauliflower Bowls

Golden roasted cauliflower and chickpeas tossed in shawarma spices. Serve over grains with fresh herbs and smooth tahini sauce.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Spice Blend

01 1/2 tsp black pepper
02 1 tsp kosher salt
03 1 tsp ground cumin
04 2 tsp paprika
05 1 Tbsp curry powder

→ Bowl Base

06 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into pieces
07 3 Tbsp olive oil, extra-virgin
08 2 cups of cooked basmati rice (white)
09 1 (15-oz) can of chickpeas, rinsed and dried

→ Green Tahini Blend

10 1/4 tsp ground cumin
11 1/4 tsp each black pepper and kosher salt
12 1/2 cup parsley leaves, fresh
13 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, fresh
14 1/4 cup tahini
15 1/2 tsp garlic, finely minced
16 2 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 425°F to preheat.

Step 02

Toss the chickpeas in oil with some of the spices, then do the same for the cauliflower. Spread them out on separate pans.

Step 03

Roast cauliflower for 35-40 minutes and chickpeas for around 30 minutes. Stir both midway to keep them from sticking.

Step 04

Add all ingredients for the Green Tahini Blend into a blender with 1/3 cup of warm water. Whizz until it’s creamy.

Step 05

Scoop in the rice first, then pile on the roasted bits, add extras if you like, and drizzle with the sauce.

Notes

  1. Perfect for prepping meals ahead of time
  2. Good to eat within 3 days if kept in the fridge
  3. Don’t reheat sauce, just the rest

Tools You'll Need

  • Roasting trays
  • Bowls for mixing
  • A good blender

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes sesame (from tahini)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 402
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 46 g
  • Protein: 11 g