A vibrant and inviting platter, the golden-brown roasted cauliflower stands as the star nestled in the creamy Greek yogurt with a hint of bright lemon zest. The pecan crumble is scattered generously, adding an appealing, textured contrast. It's finished with sprigs of fresh green parsley and a smoky dusting of paprika.

Southern-Style Roasted Cauliflower with Smoked Paprika Pecan Crumble

Name: Southern-Style Roasted Cauliflower with Smoked Paprika Pecan Crumble
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American Fusion
Ingredients: 1 large Cauliflower, 1 large cut into florets; Greek Yogurt, plain, 2 cups; Zest of 1 Lemon, zest of 1; Pecans, 1 cup roughly chopped; Smoked Paprika, 2 tablespoons; Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; Sprigs of fresh Parsley, for garnish

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style American Fusion

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: January 29, 2026

In the embrace of comforting flavors and textures, this dish features roasted cauliflower melded with the richness of Southern American soul food. The crunch of pecans, creaminess of Greek yogurt, and warming depths of smoked paprika make it a stand-out comfort classic, perfect for a chilly day.

Ingredients (for 4)

1 large cauliflower - 1 large - cut into florets
Greek yogurt, plain - 2 cups
Zest of 1 lemon - zest of 1
Pecans - 1 cup - roughly chopped
Smoked paprika - 2 tablespoons
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste
Sprigs of fresh parsley - - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🌡️🧈

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
Step 2 - 🥦💧🧂

Arrange cauliflower florets on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika.
Step 3 - 🥦🔥⏲️

Roast the cauliflower in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 4 - 🥘🥜🔥

While the cauliflower is roasting, toast the chopped pecans in a dry pan over medium heat until they emit a nutty aroma, then set aside.
Step 5 - 🍚🍋🥣

In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Step 6 - ⏲️🥦❄️

Once the cauliflower is done, let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 7 - 🍽️🥗🎉

To serve, spread a layer of the Greek yogurt mixture on each plate, top with the roasted cauliflower florets, sprinkle over the toasted pecan crumble. Season with the remaining smoked paprika and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley.

Additional

This dish is a perfect example of how the humble cauliflower can be transformed into an Instagram-worthy meal. For those who love a bit of spice, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the Greek yogurt mixture. Children can surely help with mixing the yogurt and arranging the cauliflower on the plate!