If you are in the mood to cook something extra special at home, you’ll love this harissa-crusted, whole-roasted cauliflower.

The whole harissa roasted cauliflower makes for a truly beautiful centrepiece at the table, taking on a gorgeous copper red crust.

To accompany the cauliflower, we have a herby apricot couscous, garlicky spring greens and a slightly sweet lemon tahini sauce. Gorgeous!
This recipe is all about staying home and revelling in the pleasure of a special meal you went that extra mile to prepare before enjoying from the comfort of your own dining table.

Here's how to make this deliciously different dish.
Ingredients
For the whole roasted cauliflower
- 2 heads cauliflower, leaves and base of stem removed.
- 250g (8.8 oz) thick set yogurt
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 90g (3.2 oz) harissa paste
- Salt and pepper
For the spring greens
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped
- 50g (1.8 oz) spring greens, sliced
- 50g (1.8 oz) kale, sliced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
For the lemon tahini sauce
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 5g (0.2 oz) fresh parsley, de-stalked and finely chopped
- Pinch salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp thick set yogurt
- 2 tsp honey
For the herby couscous
- 150g (5.3 oz) couscous
- 20g (0.7 oz) dried apricots roughly chopped
- Half a stock cube
- 5g (0.2 oz) fresh parsley, de-stalked and finely chopped
- 165ml (5.6 fl oz) boiling water
Instructions
To make the whole roasted cauliflower
Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F). In a large bowl, add the harissa, yogurt, 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Mix well.

Pop a cauliflower head top down into the bowl and rotate until well covered on all sides.


Spread the remaining oil on a large non-stick baking tray large enough to accommodate your cauliflowers. Place the cauliflower heads, stalk side down on the tray and place in the oven to roast for 30 minutes.


Remove from the oven and brush on any remaining harissa yogurt.

Turn the heat up to 220C (200C fan, 425F), return to the oven and roast for a final 15-25 minutes until the crust is set and considerably deeper in colour.

When your cauliflowers are close to completing their second stint in the oven, it's time to prepare your side dishes.
To make the wilted greens
Warm the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat.

Add the garlic, spring greens and kale with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Fry gently 2-3 minutes until hot and glossy.

Turn off the heat and put the lid on the pan to wilt until you're ready to serve.

To make the lemon tahini sauce
Put the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper into a small bowl.

Mix well, then add the yogurt and honey.

Mix again, taste to check the seasoning, then cover until ready to serve.

To make the herby couscous
Put the couscous, apricot pieces, parsley and a crumbled stock cube in a heatproof bowl.

Add the boiling water.

Mix well.

Cover and leave for 5 minutes
To serve
Once your cauliflowers are fully roasted, leave them to cool and firm up for 10 minutes, then cut into wedges.

Fluff up the couscous with a fork, then serve a large spoonful to each plate. Add 2-3 wedges of cauliflower and the wilted greens.

Drizzle with the lemon tahini sauce and serve.

If you'd like to print this harissa roasted cauliflower recipe to try later, just click PRINT on the recipe card below.
Harissa roasted cauliflower (whole cauliflower)
Ingredients
For the whole roasted cauliflower
- 2 heads cauliflower leaves and base of stem removed.
- 250 g (8.8 oz) thick set yogurt
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 90 g (3.2 oz) harissa paste
- pinch salt and pepper
For the spring greens
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced or finely chopped
- 50 g (1.8 oz) spring greens sliced
- 50 g (1.8 oz) kale sliced
- pinch of salt and pepper
For the lemon tahini sauce
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 lemon juice only
- 2 cloves garlic minced or finely chopped
- 5 g (0.2 oz) fresh parsley de-stalked and finely chopped
- pinch salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp thick set yogurt
- 2 tsp honey
For the herby couscous
- 150 g (5.3 oz) couscous
- 20 g (0.7 oz) dried apricots roughly chopped
- 0.5 stock cube
- 3 g (0.1 oz) fresh parsley de-stalked and finely chopped
- 165 ml (5.6 floz) boiling water
Instructions
To make the whole roasted cauliflower
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F). In a large bowl, add the harissa, yogurt, 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Pop a cauliflower head top down into the bowl and rotate until well covered on all sides.
- Spread the remaining oil on a large non-stick baking tray large enough to accommodate your cauliflowers. Place the cauliflower heads, stalk side down on the tray and place in the oven to roast for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush on any remaining harissa yogurt.
- Turn the heat up to 220C (200C fan, 425F), return to the oven and roast for a final 15-25 minutes until the crust is set and considerably deeper in colour.
- When your cauliflowers are close to completing their second stint in the oven, it's time to prepare your side dishes.
To make the wilted greens
- Warm the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat.
- Add the garlic, spring greens and kale with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry gently 2-3 minutes until hot and glossy.
- Turn off the heat and put the lid on the pan to wilt until you're ready to serve.
To make the lemon tahini sauce
- Mix the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Add the yogurt and honey and mix again.
- Taste to check the seasoning, then cover until ready to serve.
To make the herby couscous
- Put the couscous, apricot pieces, parsley and a crumbled stock cube in a heatproof bowl.
- Add the boiling water and mix well then cover and leave for 5 minutes.
To serve
- Once your cauliflowers are fully roasted, leave them to cool and firm up for 10 minutes, then cut into wedges.
- Fluff up the couscous with a fork, then serve a large spoonful to each plate. Add 2-3 wedges of cauliflower and the wilted greens.
- Drizzle with the lemon tahini sauce and serve.
Video
Nutrition
And that's it, a delicious stay-in meal. What do you think?
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Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
This looks so delicious and flavoursome!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This is a really delicious recipe - I hope you enjoy it if you give it a go. It's a favourite meal in our house
Melissa Sanchez says
I absolutely love COUSCOUS, I love cauliflower too but I am always looking for ways to make it tastier and more appealing to my kids and family. thank you for posting this recipe yummy!!
Emily Leary says
Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you like it!
Chloé Arnold says
YUMMMM This looks divine! I love cauliflower
Emily Leary says
Thanks so much! :)
Kara says
Would never have considered roasting cauliflower but will certainly give it a try
Emily Leary says
Let me know how it goes - I don't think you'll be disappointed!
stacey says
Love, love love seasoned roasted cauliflower. Theres something about the crunchy texture that makes my mouth happy.
Emily Leary says
I know just what you mean! We love this delicious meal in our house and my mum was very impressed when she came to visit!
Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels says
Oh wow, this looks absolutely delicious - I am definitely going to have a go at making it. Kaz
Emily Leary says
Hi Kaz. Thank you - let me know how it goes! I don't think you're going to be disappointed!
Eva Katona says
Oh wow love this! I’ve been thinking about making throws for ages - and I really like the sound of the spices you used here. Bookmarking it :))
Emily Leary says
Awesome. I hope you get a chance to make it soon!
Helen says
This looks and sounds so delicious! Green beans are a go-to veg in our house so the herby beans would go down a treat. I don't think I've had harissa before, is it spicy?
Emily Leary says
It's a blend of chilli, garlic and spices so it can be hot, yes, but it's quite mild in this recipe as it's mixed with the yogurt.
Lyosha says
The dish looks so festive! I definitely i see it as as central piece. Also if you ask me you can never go wrong with Cauliflower. ever. Bookmarking, pinning and cooking it soon
Emily Leary says
Awesome. Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Erica D Ardali says
This dish seems so exotic! It would be fun meal to break up the week
Emily Leary says
Thanks! I hope that you enjoy this delicious dish! My mum was very impressed when she cam for a visit recently!
Faneshia says
Cauliflower never looked sooo good! I will definitely use this as a side dish with some nice chicken!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Let me know how it goes!
Courtney says
Omg can we say yum?!?! I just love cauliflower! I will definitely be giving this recipe a try
Emily Leary says
Yes, we can all definitely say yum! I love cauliflower too and this delicious dish is a great hit with my friends and family. I hope you enjoy it too!
Nati says
I want to make this!! It looks amazing and we all love cauliflowers at home! I'm not sure where to find harissa paste in my country though? any suggestions?
Emily Leary says
You can make it by blitzing red chillis and lots of garlic with spices and cooking down. This recipe on BBC Good Food looks good. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1977657/harissa
Lynne Harper says
This looks delicious and I love the way you have added pictures alongside the recipe so you know if it all looks correct :)
Emily Leary says
Thank you so much! I do hope you decide to give this recipe a go - it's as delicious as it looks!
Jasmine Hewitt says
i've never tried making anything like this, but it looks awesome.! i hate cutting u cauliflower so this is a great alternative
Emily Leary says
Thank you! It's worth the effort to make this super tasty dish and yes, you won't have to cut up the cauliflower! Enjoy!
Preet says
My kids would absolutely love these. This would disappear in no time at our house! This is my kind of weekend treat.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I hope you all enjoy this tasty dish!
Pati Robins says
oh my this looks oh so tasty !! i honestly cannot wait to try it
Emily Leary says
Thanks! This is a fab way to serve cauliflower - enjoy!
Christa says
Everything about this meals looks amazing! I can't wait to try the cauliflower and the apricot couscous. I eat couscous all the time but have never had it seasoned like this! And that red stove is gorgeous. I love it!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I really enjoyed coming up with the recipe for this tasty dish and my friends and family love it....and yes the stove is great!
leigh anne broders says
Yummy! This looks amazing and I bet it tastes great. I am definitely going to make this for our dinner party next week.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I'm really pleased to hear that you're going to make this delicious dish for your dinner party.I'd love to hear how it goes :)
Jaime Oliver says
oh Emily that looks utterly delicious, i love cauliflower but never know what else to do with it so thank you i will have to try this!
Emily Leary says
Thank you Jaime! Yes, do give this recipe a try - it's truly scrumptious. Let me know how it goes!
Ana Ojha says
This cauliflower recipe looks incredibly delicious in your pictures. My hubby loves cauliflower and will give it a try!
Emily Leary says
Thank you so much! I hope that you and your husband enjoy this recipe - it really is a delicious way to serve cauliflower!
Megan says
Oh my gosh I need to try this. I'm obsessed with cauliflower lately!
Emily Leary says
I hope that you'll love this delicious recipe if you give it a go!
Maureen says
I love the golden hue of the harissa paste on the Cauliflower, I can almost taste it. It looks like a perfect combo with the couscous and greens. Great Job!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! My friends and family loved this recipe - my mum was very impressed!
Ashley says
I've really been liking cauliflower lately and trying it in different ways. This sounds really good and like another recipe I will have to try out with it. Thanks for sharing!
Emily Leary says
I love cauliflower and this is a super tasty way to enjoy it. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do in our house. My mum was very impressed when she came for a visit!
Hollie Burgess says
Loving this, it looks so tasty!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This delicious recipe is a great hit in our house - it tastes every bit as good as it looks!
Sara Welch says
This is such a clever dish idea. I can just imagine what that perfect crunch feels like!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This is a really tasty way to enjoy cauliflower - I hope you enjoy it if you give it a go :)
Lyosha says
Looks very delicious and super festive! Great way to use Cauliflower as holiday dish. very posh! I am all in - I love pretty much any cauliflower
Emily Leary says
Thank you :) This recipe is truly delicious - Enjoy!
Tosha says
This is an amazing recipe. I’ve never cooked cauliflower but def wanna try soon thank u!
Emily Leary says
Thank you so much! We love this recipe in our house. I made it for my mum recently and she was very impressed - I hope you'll enjoy it too!
Maartje van Sandwijk says
This looks really good! You made me hungry now. Definitely trying this sometime...
Emily Leary says
Thanks! This recipe is so delicious - my friends and family love it! Enjoy :)
Tasha at Lady Boss Studio says
I love roasting cauliflower and lemon tahini dressings are my fav so I am definitely going to try this. It looks fabulous!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I'm so pleased that you like this recipe - I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
evelyn hernandez says
I love harrisa and use it a lot in our kitchen. It is great to see new recipes incorporate it as well. It is actually delicious!
Emily Leary says
I agree - harissa is delicious. I hope you'll try this recipe - it's a great way to enjoy roasted cauliflower!
Francesca Jacklin says
I love roasted cauliflower but this looks really good with the harissa
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This recipe is well worth the effort - it's delicious! Enjoy!
eli says
Cauliflower's one of my favorite things to eat but I'm not very creative with it. This gives me some pretty cool ideas!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I love it too - let me know if you give this tasty way of serving cauliflower a try!
Petra says
Really interested in trying this roasted cauliflower, it looks amazing! I will give it a go one weekend when I have plenty time on my hands..
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I hope you find this delicious recipe is well worth the extra effort - I don't think you'll be disappointed :)
Sara says
Oh this is a new take on something we already love. We'll definitely try this out this week!
Emily Leary says
That's great to hear! I'd love to know how it goes!
Monidipa Dutta says
The food looks great. And I would love to try out this recipe
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I love this way of serving cauliflower - let me know if you give it a go!
angel says
wow! this looks delicious! a great meat substitute. i love cauliflower with cheese sauce. i will have to try this recipe some time in the future.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This recipe was a sure fire hit in our house and definitely something I'll be making again (and again!) I hope you'll enjoy it too!
Micaela Levachyov says
I've been meaning to try roasting a whole cauliflower for ages. I should get up the courage and give this recipe a try!
Emily Leary says
You should definitely try this recipe - it's worth the effort! Let me know if you give it a go!
Yanna says
I can't remember the last time I ate cauliflower! Your recipe is so easy and I think I'm going to prepare this on weekend since my boyfriend is coming over. He'll love this!
Emily Leary says
I hope that you and your boyfriend enjoyed this delicious recipe if you gave it a go! Let me know how it went!
Sakshi says
This is such a crazy post. This dish looks so so heavenly. I am sure it is super filling too. Going the healthy way aye
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This is such a delicious way to serve cauliflower. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do in our house!
Kisha says
Yes! I will be making this. As a vegan/vegetarian, I'm always looking for new recipes. just hope I can find Harisssa in the regular grocery store. I've never heard of this ingredient before.
Emily Leary says
Harissa is so tasty and I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to find it in the USA! I'm so pleased that you like this recipe - enjoy!
Scott Gombar says
I love cauliflower. My wife thinks I am weird but I think it's the polish side of me. This looks really tasty. Thanks for sharing.
Emily Leary says
I love cauliflower too! Let me know if you decide to give this delicious recipe a go!
Alexandra says
Delicious! Wow! I love cauliflower, and I love the idea of whole-roasting it. These are just some of my favourite flavours right here. Thank you so much for sharing!
Alex || itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
Emily Leary says
So pleased you like this recipe! It's a great way to serve cauliflower - Enjoy!
Angela Fry says
Pinned for later. This looks AMAZING!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Chad says
I won't be able to write much because I AM PREPARING THIS NOW! LOOKS DELICIOUS, CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT!!!
Emily Leary says
Awesome!! I'm excited to hear what you think x
Candace says
I never roasted a cauliflower but this making me want to!
Emily Leary says
I hope you give this recipe a go - it's delicious, I promise!