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Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Pesto Sauce

This roasted cauliflower steak recipe is the perfect vegetarian alternative to beef that even meat lovers will enjoy! These thickly sliced and deliciously seasoned cauliflower steaks are roasted to perfection and then topped with the best homemade pesto sauce. This is an amazing dish for a summer cookout!

baking sheet with parchment paper and roasted cauliflower with pesto.

Why I Love These Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower might just be my favorite vegetable. You can make everything from pizza crust to rice, all with a simple head of cauliflower! This amazing veggie is so versatile and it’s so simple to prepare. All you need is a little bit of seasoning to create a vibrant dish!

This cauliflower steak recipe has made it to the top of a long list of favorites! There may be all kinds of low-carb vegetables, but none of them really compare to cauliflower. Vegetarians, vegans, and even steak lovers can unite to enjoy the perfect cauliflower steak

This grilled cauliflower steak is an excellent option for summer, but this recipe holds up in the winter too. I’d suggest making this dish for a summer cookout and adding a dollop of the homemade pesto recipe I’m sharing with you today! It’ll be a truly succulent meal that’ll impress even the toughest of critics.

Key Ingredients for Cauliflower Steak

cauliflower steak with pesto sauce 1172x2000
  • Cauliflower A head of cauliflower is the secret weapon of a low-carb kitchen. Your taste buds and body will thank you for the benefits it provides.
  • Olive oil is a great source of vitamin E and vitamin K.
  • Paprika, garlic powder, and salt add spice and good flavors to this veggie steak.
  • Optional: If you want to add more topping options, parmesan cheese melts nicely over a warm cauliflower steak.

Ingredients for Homemade Pesto Sauce

  • Spinach– baby or regular.
  • Olive oil– extra virgin.
  • Pine nuts– fresh.
  • Parmesan Cheese– grated.
  • Lemon Juice– freshly squeezed.
  • Garlic– fresh clove.
  • Salt and Pepper

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to Make This Cauliflower Steak with Pesto Sauce

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cut Cauliflower

Cut the cauliflower into 1-inch thick steaks.

raw cauliflower steak slices on a wooden cutting board

Step 3: Set Cauliflower Steak Aside

Place cauliflower steaks onto a baking sheet.

raw cauliflower steak slices on a baking tray.

Step 4: Drizzle Oil

Drizzle each steak with olive oil.

Step 5: Season

Sprinkle the steaks with half of the amount of garlic powder, paprika, and salt mixture.

cauliflower steak with spices and olive oil on a baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the tops are browned.

roasted cauliflower steak with spices and olive oil on a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 7: Flip and Season

Remove from the oven, and gently flip each steak. Drizzle the other side with olive oil and sprinkle with spices.

roasted cauliflower slices on parchment paper and a baking tray.

Step 8: Bake Again

Place back in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes

a baking tray with parchment paper and roasted cauliflower steak.

Step 9: Make Pesto

For pesto, just blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

blended pesto in a food processor.

Step 10: Serve

Serve with pesto sauce and enjoy!

a baking sheet with a bowl of pesto sauce and a spoon with baked cauliflower steak.

Recipe FAQs

How do you cut cauliflower for cauliflower steak?

Start by cutting the cauliflower down the middle and then continue to cut each half into thick steak-like slices. You can use the leftover florets in a smoothie, cauliflower rice, or for tomorrow’s dinner!

What brings out the flavor in cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a mild veggie, so what brings out the flavor is the way you cook it and season it. All you need are simple seasonings and high heat and then the cauliflower will transform!

How do I make sure my cauliflower doesn’t get mushy?

Make sure it doesn’t get mushy by spreading out your cauliflower steaks on your cooking surface, whether it’s on a sheet pan or the grill. Don’t crowd the pan or the cauliflower steaks will start to steam and therefore get mushy.

a silver fork on a grey plate with roasted cauliflower steak and pesto on it.

Serving Suggestions for Cauliflower Steak

Additional Cauliflower Recipes To Try

Cauliflower Ingredient Recipes to Try

If you tried this Cauliflower Steak with Spinach Pesto or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

a silver fork on a grey plate with roasted cauliflower steak and pesto on it.

Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Pesto Sauce

These thickly sliced and deliciously seasoned cauliflower steaks are roasted to perfection and then topped with the best homemade pesto sauce. This is an amazing dish for a summer cookout!
5 from 2 votes
Rate Print Save Pin
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Meals, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Allergy: Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings4
Calories: 485kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Pesto Sauce

  • 2 cups spinach
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • cup pine nuts
  • cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut cauliflower into 1” thick steaks.
    1 head cauliflower
    raw cauliflower steak slices on a wooden cutting board
  • Place cauliflower steaks onto a baking sheet.
    raw cauliflower steak slices on a baking tray.
  • Drizzle each steak with olive oil.
    3 Tbsp olive oil
    cauliflower steak with spices and olive oil on a baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle steaks with half of the amount of garlic powder/paprika/salt mix.
    1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt
    spices atop roasted cauliflower with olive oil on a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the tops are browned. 
    roasted cauliflower steak with spices and olive oil on a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Remove from the oven, and gently flip each steak. Drizzle the other side with olive oil and sprinkle with spices.
    1 tsp paprika, ½ cup olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp salt
    roasted cauliflower slices on parchment paper and a baking tray.
  • Place back in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes.
    a baking tray with parchment paper and roasted cauliflower steak.
  • For pesto, just blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
    2 cups spinach, ⅓ cup pine nuts, ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese,, 2 tsp lemon juice, salt and pepper,
    blended pesto in a food processor.
  • Serve with pesto sauce and enjoy!
    a baking sheet with a bowl of pesto sauce and a spoon with baked cauliflower steak.

Notes

Don’t crowd the pan or the cauliflower steaks will start to steam and therefore get mushy.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 772mg | Potassium: 609mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1514IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @allweeat_com or tag #allweeat!
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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