Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are topped with a toasted walnut and parsley pesto! This recipe is completely and utterly delicious! Make it for lunch, dinner or as a side dish! 

So this was lunch yesterday.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com

Thick slices of cauliflower are seared and then roasted and smothered in a homemade parsley pesto. Yes, please. It’s low carb, healthy and so garlicky you’ll taste it for days. Just kidding… one to two days tops. But needless to say, I was the only one eating this because my husband and girls left as quickly as possible once the smell of a healthy, roasted vegetable was in the air. I kid. Sort of.

This weekend we did a lot of much needed spring cleaning. I cleaned my office, hung new curtains and organized my gazillon props and dishes. Then Pat and I cleaned out our garage, emptied the last few boxes from when we moved *ahem* two years ago. I finally did something with the two wooden cilantro crates I’ve been storing. With my husband’s help and his sawzall… we cut, constructed and glued what seems to be a pretty cool photography back drop. I just need to figure out… to stain or not to stain?

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com ingredients

Back in early January the good people at California Walnuts sent me a big bag of walnuts. I’ve kept them tucked in my fridge until the thought of this recipe came to mind. So I literally didn’t have to go to the store for any of this, well I mean I bought this at the store, but not for any particular reason. I just had it on hand and wanted to empty my fridge before my early week grocery store trip.

Annnd it just happens to be #meatless Monday. Soo two birds one stone. Winning.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com walnuts

You’ll need a cup of shelled walnuts.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com toast walnuts

In a dry skillet add the nuts…

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com fragrant

Toast over medium heat, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and nutty smelling.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com toasted

Scoop the nuts into a bowl and set off to the side.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com slice

Slice the head of cauliflower into 1 inch or so “steaks”.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com sear

To the same skillet, add olive oil and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com roast

Once the cauliflower steaks are seared, transfer them to a rimmed sheet pan and roast in a 450 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com garlic, green onion, parmesan

Meanwhile add the chopped garlic, green onions, parsley and grated Parmesan cheese to a food processor.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com walnuts, pepper flakes

I almost forgot to add the toasted walnuts! Add those in after the garlic… they’ll need some time by the blades. Also add a couple pinches of red pepper flakes and a few grinds of fresh black pepper.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com olive oil

Blend until smooth while pouring in a steady stream of olive oil.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com kosher salt

Scrape down the sides, season with kosher salt to taste and blend until smooth or preferred consistency.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com toasted walnut and parsley pesto

This pesto is pretty versatile. Smother it on toasty warm bread, over pasta or my favorite food-to-mouth vehicle… a spoon.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com #recipe

Remove the roasted cauliflower steaks to a plate, spoon on the pesto and drizzle with a smidgen of olive oil.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto via www.SimplyScratch.com

These roasted cauliflower steaks can be a quick, light main dish or a great side to fish or chicken. It’s light and flavorful and those crispy cauli-bits that strayed away and turned all crispy and caramelized, work well as a little garnish on top.

Roasted cauliflower steaks and pesto for life.

 

Enjoy! And if you give this Roasted Cauliflower Steaks recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut + Parsley Pesto l www.SimplyScratch.com

My cookbook Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy is now available! CLICK HERE for details and THANK YOU in advance!

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Yield: 4 servings

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Toasted Walnut Parsley Pesto

Cauliflower "steaks" seared, roasted and smothered in fresh, parsley and toasted walnut pesto.

Ingredients

FOR THE CAULIFLOWER STEAKS:

  • 1 large head of cauliflower, sliced into four 1-inch "steaks"
  • olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE PESTO:

  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped
  • 5 green onions, light green and dark green parts only, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 450°.
  • In a dry skillet, add the walnuts and toast until fragrant over medium heat. About 8 minutes or so. Remove the toasted walnuts to a small bowl and set off to the side.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and in the same skillet at a tablespoon of olive oil and sear the cauliflower in batches of two until golden on both sides. About 4 to 5 minutes a side. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place the seared cauliflower onto a rimmed sheet pan. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and roast It iin a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, roughly chop up the four cloves of peeled garlic and add them to a food processor. Throw in the toasted walnuts, parsley, green onions, grated Parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper. Secure the lid and turn on the food processor.
  • Slowly pour in the olive oil, stopping and scraping down the sides and repeating until smooth.
  • Taste and season with salt.
  • Remove the roasted cauliflower steaks form the oven and serve with spoonfuls of the parsley pesto, any tiny remaining roasted cauliflower bits and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 296kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 538mg, Potassium: 709mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1501IU, Vitamin C: 92mg, Calcium: 235mg, Iron: 3mg

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