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Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl (Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)

Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl (Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)


  • Author: Julia Walton
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bowls
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Turn a humble head of cauliflower into a crave-worthy shawarma-style bowl with this easy sheet pan dinner. Spiced roasted cauliflower and chickpeas are piled over fluffy rice with fresh veggies and a tangy lemon-garlic yogurt sauce for a satisfying vegetarian meal. It’s a quick dinner idea that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and anyone looking for healthy dinner recipes, easy recipes, and simple food ideas the whole family can customize.


Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower cut into bite-size florets

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas drained and rinsed

1 medium red onion cut into wedges

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 cloves garlic minced

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

2 cups cooked basmati rice or other cooked rice

1 cup chopped cucumber

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons tahini

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice for sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil for sauce

1 small garlic clove grated

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt for sauce

2 to 3 tablespoons water to thin the sauce


Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Add the cauliflower florets, drained chickpeas, and red onion wedges to a large mixing bowl.

3. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and lemon juice, then add the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.

4. Toss until the cauliflower, chickpeas, and onions are evenly coated in the oil and spices. If anything looks dry, add a small drizzle of extra olive oil.

5. Spread the mixture out on the prepared sheet pan in an even layer, leaving a little space between pieces so they roast instead of steam.

6. Roast for 22 to 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the cauliflower is deeply golden on the edges, the onions are softened and caramelized, and the chickpeas are lightly crisp.

7. While the vegetables roast, whisk together the sauce in a small bowl: Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice for the sauce, olive oil for the sauce, grated garlic, kosher salt for the sauce, and enough water to thin to a creamy, drizzleable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

8. Prepare the fresh toppings by chopping the cucumber, halving the cherry tomatoes, and chopping the parsley. Warm the cooked rice if needed.

9. To assemble, add a scoop of warm rice to each bowl. Top with a generous portion of the roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, and onions, then add the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and parsley.

10. Drizzle each bowl with the lemon-garlic yogurt sauce and finish with an extra squeeze of lemon or a pinch of cayenne if you like more heat. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor and texture, avoid overcrowding the sheet pan—if the cauliflower and chickpeas are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of roasting and you’ll miss out on those delicious crispy, caramelized edges.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sheet Pan
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 9
  • Sodium: 620
  • Fat: 26
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 52
  • Fiber: 9
  • Protein: 14
  • Cholesterol: 10

Keywords: cauliflower shawarma bowl, easy sheet pan dinner, vegetarian dinner, healthy dinner, bowl recipe, quick dinner, weeknight dinner ideas, sheet pan recipe