Crispy roasted cauliflower sits on top of a creamy tahini and cauliflower puree with a hint of lemon inside of a crunchy pie crust. This tart is perfect for a picnic or as a vegetarian main course when paired with a dark leafy salad.
This recipe has been updated from the original February 2015 version in order to provide a better experience for our readers.
Cauliflower has become a bit of a star ingredient around here lately. Some of my favorite recipes are this Moroccan Cauliflower and Pumpkin Couscous Salad and this Honey Roasted Garlic, Parsnip, and Cauliflower Soup.
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Tart
I am not going to lie, this recipe is a little more hands-on than most of the other recipes on my site.
But it is worth it (especially if you love the flavors of roasted cauliflower and garlic).
You are going to need:
- pie crust: you can use either store bought or homemade depending on access and preference;
- cauliflower: use a medium sized cauliflower;
- onion: I use a brown onion in this recipe, but a red onion would also work, and would add some great color;
- garlic: don't bother peeling the garlic, it squeezes out of the skin easily once it has been roasted;
- smoked paprika;
- turmeric: I use freshly grated turmeric in this recipe, but you could also use ground turmeric;
- lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice is best, but the bottled stuff can be used in a pinch;
- tahini: make sure you check the ingredients of the tahini and mix the excess oil into the mixture before using in this recipe;
- almond milk: why not try making your own thick and creamy homemade nut milk
- Lemon zest and chopped parsley to serve.
For ease when living in the US I would use a premade pie crust as they were easily available at the store.
In Australia this is not the case and I use this Low Carb Paleo Almond Flour Pie Crust with 5 Ingredients from Wholesome Yum recipe instead.
Tips For The Perfect Tart
Once you get going this tart is fairly simple to bring together.
There are a few key tips you are going to want to get right though.
- Be sure to load the pie crust up with either pie weights or uncooked beans prior to baking. This stops it from bubbling up and breaking once baked;
- Check the roasted cauliflower and garlic mixture to make sure it is soft enough to blend into a smooth puree prior to adding it to the food processor. To do this, simply squeeze the cauliflower between two fingers, it should be squishable without being super soggy;
- If you plan on packing this cauliflower tart as part of a picnic or potluc, allow it to cook completely before packing so that the puree mixture has time to set and it will not fall apart.
Storing and Freezing
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days.
To serve, it can be reheated or eaten cold.
I do not recommend freezing this tart, as the pieces of whole roasted cauliflower on top can become soggy and unappealing.
How To Serve Roasted Cauliflower Tart
My favorite way is to serve this up is to serve a nice big slice with a side of dark, leafy salad and a nice glass of white wine (totally skip on the wine if that's not your thing obviously).
It also works great as an addition to a picnic basket.
Just remember to allow it to cool completely and then chill well first so that the tart sets properly for easier transportation.
Recipe
Roasted Cauliflower Tart
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Ingredients
- 1 pie crust, thawed (store bought or homemade)
- 1 medium cauliflower
- 1 medium onion quartered
- 4 cloves garlic skin on
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated turmeric
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- ¼ cup almond milk
- Big pinch of black pepper
- Lemon zest and chopped parsley to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450F. Lightly oil a 9 inch tart pan and press the pie crust into the pan, prick with a fork a couple of times. Fill with pie weights and place in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before filling. (see notes for alternative pie crust instructions)
- Add cauliflower, onion, garlic, olive oil, paprika and salt to a parchment lined baking sheet and toss to combine. Arrange in a single layer on the tray and roast for 40 minutes, turning the florets over halfway through. Once roasted, remove from the oven and set aside to cool
- Reduce the oven to 350 farenheit
- Add ¼ of the roasted cauliflower, all of the onion and garlic along with the fresh turmeric, lemon juice, tahini, almond milk and pepper to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy
- Spread the cauliflower mixture into the cooked and cooled pie crust and arrange the remaining cauliflower florets on top
- Bake the tart for 30 mins. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 mins before garnishing with freshly grated lemon zest and parsley. Serve and enjoy
Leslie-Anne says
Cauliflower is the best - it's incredible how it works in so many ways, eh? This looks like a great veggie addition to a picnic or brunch - I'm so intrigued. Do you still have cooking lessons with your sister? I love this idea (especially with wine!)
Donna1 says
No unfortunately I love in California now and she is still in Australia so it's a bit hard 🙂 Thats why I started the blog though - so she could cook along with me, not that she does, but she does read the posts with a glass of wine so there is a hint of tradition in there!
Dana says
It really amazes me, how versatile cauliflower is. I would've never thought to use it like this in a tart! I'm all about savory tarts too, so this is right up my alley. Pinning for future!
Donna1 says
Its is so versatile, we have used it in soooo many ways!
Marisa Franca says
What an amazing looking tart. I love spicy and this would certainly be welcomed and enjoyed in our family. It would be such a great healthy alternative to a heavier tart. I'd love this with a side salad and of course a glass of white wine.
Donna1 says
Right, perfect 🙂
Amanda says
This is my kind of tart! What a creative and unique way to serve cauliflower. I am something of a roasted cauliflower fiend...it's one of my top 5 favorite vegetables. I'll make up a batch and snack on the roasted florets straight from the pan. I love how you've combined pureed roasted cauliflower and the beautiful florets in this tart. It's so pretty. I would absolutely make a meal of this!
Donna1 says
Oh thank you Amanda! We are the same, every time I make a tray of roasted cauliflower for a meal I have to make a spare tray for us to snack on otherwise it just disappears 🙂
Annemarie says
What a great idea to puree part of the roasted cauliflower to make the base of the tart while leaving the rest whole as the topping. That keeps everything streamlined and the ingredients list shorter. All good things! 🙂 And a great story too. I used to talk to my daughter and tell her what I was cooking when she was a baby (now she cooks with me).
Donna1 says
Thats so lovely, my daughter from this story is 5 now!!! She loves cooking and asks to help out all the time, which is lovely. Plus she will try anything once, and it's so nice to have an adventurous eater in the house 🙂
Julia says
I love how you use the same ingredients in two ways - as the filling and the topping. It's a really great idea. The tart looks absolutely scrumptious and satisfying, yet healthy. Oh, and the memories! I love food and memories. Food is such a time machine. I am sure your baby enjoyed those lessons and they will one day be a nice story for you to tell her.
Donna1 says
Food memories are some of the best! She is 5 now and absolutely loves cooking with me so I think it was a good strategy 🙂
Tina says
That is such a funny story, I can picture it right now. Good memories. I love roasted cauliflower, there isn't anything quite like it. Putting it in a tart sounds genius, definitely saving this for later, with a glass of wine, of course!
Donna1 says
Of course, it is mandatory 🙂
Amanda says
I've never heard of a cauliflower tart before, it sounds and looks so good! I love the flavor profile used here and can't wait to give this a try.
Donna1 says
🙂
Gloria says
I love the sound of this tasty tart. It would be a great side, and I would even eat this for lunch or brunch. I would have never thought to use cauliflower this way.....but we roast it all the time. Awesome.
Donna1 says
Haha cauliflower tends to end up in so many random dishes in our house because we love it so much!
lisa says
Pour a glass for me and hand me a plate. I just love this kind of inventive, healthy fare! I love this approach to cauliflower, which is getting a lot of attention right now!
Donna1 says
Oh gosh cauliflower is SO popular right now!! It is one of my favorite foods, so always happy to add it to new meals