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    Delightful Mom Food / Recipes / Cooking Methods / Roasted / Roasted Cauliflower with Pesto and Almonds

    Last Updated April 7, 2022. Published October 26, 2021 Danielle Fahrenkrug | This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Roasted Cauliflower with Pesto and Almonds

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    Seriously you have to try this Almond Pesto Cauliflower (roasted cauliflower) recipe and I promise you will not be disappointed! It is flavorful, filling, nutritious, crunchy and meets all textures your pallet will swoon over! 

    pesto, cauliflower, almond slivers roasted together and served in a bowl

    Roasted cauliflower, almonds, and a basil pesto tossed together in a fragrant topping with crunchy toasted almond slivers will be your new favorite side dish! It is plant based, nourishing and made with vegan gluten-free ingredients.

    Roasted Cauliflower with Pesto and Almonds

    Cauliflower is delicious, crunchy, and packed full of nutty flavors. It is versatile too! Cauliflower is an incredible vegetable that can easily be turned in cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower rice fritters or tossed in burritos in place of rice.

    This easy sheet pan meal of roasted cauliflower mixed with pesto and crunchy almonds takes little time and makes the most savory side dish! Serve it to guests (and yourself) and you will all feel like you are dining at a fancy restaurant!

    cauliflower roasted and tossed with pesto and almond slivers on a fork

    Why this recipe is so great

    Can we all just agree that this recipe says “Hello Beautiful” all the way! Beautiful skin, beautiful nutrients, and beautiful plant-based ingredients!

    I love fresh pesto and I REALLY LOVE it combined with roasted cauliflower. The two married together is one of the most luxurious side dishes your lips will ever touch! This recipe is bold, nutty, and a chock-full of flavor!

    This is SUCH AN AMAZING side dish that you’ll probably rave about for years to come- it is just that good! Almond pesto roasted cauliflower will totally blow your mind because there are SO MANY BOLD flavors going on here!

    What ingredients go into this cauliflower recipe

    cauliflower sliced into steaks
    • 1 cauliflower head
    • fresh Italian sweet basil leaves packed
    • olive oil
    • Himalayan salt
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • fresh lemon juice to bring out flavor
    • almond slivers or almond slices
    • garlic cloves

    How to make roasted cauliflower pesto

    This roasted cauliflower recipe uses a whole head of cauliflower then cut it into slices or “steaks” Once it is sliced mix it with homemade pesto sauce. I like to use this kale pesto recipe or a basic basil pesto sauce without the dairy, cheese or pine nuts. We add toasted almonds for a nutty crunchy texture on top.

    Prepare the cauliflower

    Preheat the oven and grease a baking pan, then prepare the cauliflower. Wash the cauliflower and remove the stem. Slice it into even size “steaks”. It is fine if some break off into smaller pieces. It will break more after it cooks.

    Make the pesto sauce

    basil pesto sauce in a blender

    Add the pesto ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until slightly smooth, for about 45 seconds.

    Toss and roast the cauliflower florets

    basil pesto sauce over cauliflower slices

    Add the pesto sauce on top of the cauliflower steaks, reserving ¼ cup for serving.

    how to roast cauliflower

    Add the almond slivers on top and toss the ingredients together with your hands to coat the cauliflower with the pesto and almond slivers.

    easy healthy roasted cauliflower recipe

    Roast it all together at 400 degrees for 35 minutes to pure perfection, and flipping it at about halfway through cooking!

    Roasting Tips for Success

    Slice the cauliflower into almost equal sizes for even baking, and make sure they do not overlap on the baking sheet.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this fantastic cauliflower recipe as a side dish, with other roasted vegetables, or turn it into a cauliflower pasta recipe and serve it over gluten free noodles. Have extra cauliflower? Use it in this roasted cauliflower red pepper soup! Or serve it along side of meat such as:

    • Top sirloin steak
    • Pan seared chicken breast
    • Stuffed chicken
    • Blackened rockfish
    Roasted cauliflower with pesto and almond slivers in a bowl

    Related recipes

    • Easy Homemade Cauliflower Ice Cream Recipe
    • One-Pot Lemony Basil Pesto Pasta
    • Kale and Basil Pesto Recipe
    • Cauliflower Tabbouleh Salad
    • Cilantro Basil Pesto

    If you make this almond pesto roasted cauliflower recipe from Delightful Mom Food I would love to see your creations and share it! Follow along with me on INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and TWITTER to be featured and for more recipe inspiration! And don’t forget to rate the recipe in the recipe area and leave a comment below!

    pesto, cauliflower, almond slivers roasted together and served in a bowl

    Roasted Cauliflower with Pesto and Almonds (Paleo, Whole30)

    Roasted cauliflower, almonds, and a basil pesto tossed together in a fragrant topping with crunchy toasted almond slivers will be your new favorite side dish! It is plant based, nourishing and made with vegan gluten-free ingredients.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Halal, Hindu, Kosher, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 255kcal
    Author: Danielle Fahrenkrug

    Ingredients

    • 1 cauliflower head
    • 2 cups fresh Italian sweet basil leaves packed
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon toasted almond slivers
    • 2 garlic cloves minced

    Instructions

    Prepare the cauliflower

    • Preheat the oven to 400 Degrees F. Lightly grease a baking pan with cooking spray or olive oil.
    • Wash and slice the cauliflower by removing the bottom then slicing it vertical or chop into large chunks, or "steaks" that are even in size. Spread the chopped cauliflower on a baking pan.
      cauliflower sliced into steaks

    Make the pesto

    • In a blender add the basil, olive oil, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, garlic and 1 tablespoon of toasted almond slivers. Blend until slightly smooth for about 45 seconds.
      basil pesto sauce in a blender

    Mix and roast

    • Pour the pesto over the cauliflower leaving about ¼ cup for reserve.
      basil pesto sauce over cauliflower slices
    • Add ¼ cup of toasted almond slivers and toss the cauliflower with your hands to coat evenly then spread it evenly on the baking sheet.
      how to roast cauliflower
    • Bake for 35 minutes. Use the reserve pesto to top the roasted cauliflower before serving and garnish with extra almond slivers. Serve warm.
      easy healthy roasted cauliflower recipe

    Notes

    Slice the cauliflower into almost equal sizes for even baking, and make sure they do not overlap on the baking sheet.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5g | Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DelightfulMomFood or tag #DelightfulMomFood!
    Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Pesto
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    About Danielle Fahrenkrug

    Danielle Fahrenkrug is the writer and photographer behind Delightful Mom Food. She is a mama of two young boys and loves food, family, friends, and Jesus with a passion for wine, coffee, and cauliflower crusted pizza. Danielle is also the author for Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Baking Cookbook, Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cookbook, Dairy-Free Cookbook for Kids and is a certified health and nutrition life coach.

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    Comments

    1. diana says

      October 26, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Question on the roasted cauliflower. – Do you put any oil in the pan prior to putting in the cauliflower.

      Reply
      • Danielle Fahrenkrug says

        October 26, 2021 at 9:45 pm

        Hi Diana! Yes, lightly coat the pan with cooking spray or olive oil first. Thank you for asking!

        Reply

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    Danielle Fahrenkrug | Recipe Developer
    Hi, and welcome to Delightful Mom Food - I am thrilled you are here! Here you will find traditional recipes that I transform into healthier versions the whole family enjoys, because eating healthy should be delicious and mean you can still enjoy your favorite foods! I am a food photographer, writer, 3x cookbook author, and certified health and nutrition life coach.
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