Wholesome Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl: A Delicious & Easy Vegan Meal
Experience the ultimate in plant-based comfort with this hearty Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl, featuring tender roasted brussels sprouts, sweet red kuri squash, and protein-packed lentils, all brought together with a luscious, creamy tahini dressing. This vibrant and satisfying bowl is perfect for healthy eating, meal prepping, and enjoying on any day of the week.
Imagine the scene: a quiet, overcast day, perhaps with a gentle drizzle creating a soothing rhythm outside. While some days call for bright sunshine and outdoor adventures, others are simply perfect for reflection, productive chores, and most importantly, nourishing meals that warm you from the inside out. Today, that perfect meal is this incredible Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl.
This isn’t just any meal; it’s a testament to how satisfying and delicious plant-based eating can be. Crafted with a grain-free and gluten-free cauliflower “rice” base, it’s a light yet filling foundation. It’s layered with hearty, protein-rich lentils, beautifully roasted seasonal winter vegetables like brussels sprouts and red kuri squash, and crowned with a truly exceptional creamy, oil-free tahini dressing. Every spoonful offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it an ideal choice for a wholesome lunch or a comforting dinner.
Power bowls have become a staple in healthy eating, celebrated for their ability to pack a diverse range of nutrients into a single, convenient dish. This particular bowl stands out for its vibrant colors, incredible taste, and impressive nutritional profile. It’s rich in fiber, plant-based protein, and essential vitamins, making it a fantastic option for anyone looking to fuel their body with goodness. Whether you’re dedicated to a vegan lifestyle, looking for gluten-free or grain-free options, or simply seeking a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal, this power bowl is designed to impress and nourish.
Let’s dive into the components that make this Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl an absolute must-try for your kitchen. We’ll explore the star ingredients, discuss their unique qualities, and share tips for achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Discovering Red Kuri Squash: A Winter Delight
Have you ever had the pleasure of trying red kuri squash before? It’s a delightful winter squash variety that often gets overshadowed by its more famous cousins like butternut or acorn squash, but it truly deserves a place in your culinary repertoire. When I first shared trials of this power bowl on Instagram and asked for your favorite winter squash suggestions, red kuri squash emerged as the clear favorite, and for good reason!
Red kuri squash, sometimes known as Hokkaido squash, is distinguished by its vibrant, fiery red-orange skin and deep orange flesh. Beyond its striking appearance, it boasts a smooth, creamy texture when cooked, with a unique flavor profile that many describe as reminiscent of sweet chestnuts. This distinctive taste adds a wonderful depth and natural sweetness to any dish, making it particularly suitable for roasting.
One of the best things about red kuri squash is its edible skin. Unlike some other squash varieties that require tedious peeling, you can simply wash, halve, deseed, and slice red kuri squash before roasting. The skin becomes tender and adds a beautiful rustic touch to the final dish. When baked, its gorgeous color only intensifies, making your power bowl not just delicious but also a feast for the eyes. This squash is also packed with nutrients, including high levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber, contributing to a truly wholesome meal.
Its natural sweetness and creamy consistency make it an ideal partner for the earthy lentils and the light cauliflower rice. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the bounty of winter produce before spring arrives and we yearn for a new season of fresh ingredients.
The Grain-Free Base: Cauliflower Rice Excellence
The foundation of this incredible power bowl is a light, fluffy, and nutrient-dense cauliflower rice. The first time I hastily threw this combination together was late on a Sunday night, after a grueling grocery trip. I had just hauled what felt like a mountain of produce up several flights of stairs to my condo kitchen, only to realize I hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. In moments like those, convenience is key, and that’s where products like Cece’s Veggie Noodle Co. Organic Riced Cauliflower truly shine.
Pre-riced cauliflower is a game-changer for busy individuals. It drastically cuts down on prep time, allowing you to create healthy, grain-free meals with minimal effort. It cooks quickly and serves as an excellent low-carb alternative to traditional grains like rice, making it perfect for those following specific dietary plans or simply looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake. Cauliflower itself is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, and fiber, contributing significantly to the overall health benefits of this power bowl.
For this recipe, I paired the convenient riced cauliflower with protein-packed lentils, my absolute favorite roasted winter vegetables (brussels sprouts and red kuri squash), and an irresistible oil-free tahini dressing. This dressing is cleverly spiked with nutritional yeast, which imparts a savory, almost cheesy flavor, elevating the entire dish.
If Cece’s Veggie Noodle Co. Organic Riced Cauliflower isn’t available at your local grocery store, don’t worry! Making your own cauliflower rice is surprisingly simple. You can easily create it by pulsing fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble grains of rice. For detailed instructions, you can refer to my guide from this post on preparing cauliflower rice from scratch. This flexibility ensures that anyone can enjoy this delicious and healthy power bowl, regardless of ingredient availability.
Assembling and Serving Your Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl
One of the greatest advantages of this Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl is its versatility and ease of preparation, making it an excellent option for busy workweek meals. It’s designed to be both perfect for advanced meal prepping and simple enough to whip up on the fly, even after a demanding day. If I can manage to pull this together during a serious “post-grocery hanger” episode, I have absolute faith that you can too, no matter what challenges your day throws your way!
When it comes to the winter squash, while red kuri squash offers a unique flavor, this recipe is quite forgiving. If red kuri isn’t available, don’t hesitate to substitute it with other delicious varieties. Butternut squash, peeled and cubed, or delicata squash, which can be roasted unpeeled for added convenience and nutrients, both work beautifully and yield equally delicious results. The key is to choose a squash that roasts well and complements the other flavors in the bowl. Any variety will work, so feel free to pick your favorite!
Meal Prep Tips for Maximum Convenience
- Roast Ahead: Prepare and roast your brussels sprouts and winter squash at the beginning of the week. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Cauliflower Rice Prep: Cook your cauliflower rice and store it separately.
- Lentils Ready: Have your canned lentils drained, rinsed, and ready to go. You can even warm them up quickly before serving.
- Dressing Mastery: Make a batch of the creamy tahini dressing and store it in a jar. It keeps well in the fridge for several days.
By having these components ready, assembling your power bowl becomes a matter of minutes. Simply scoop, layer, dress, and enjoy. This approach ensures you always have a healthy, delicious, and satisfying meal readily available, preventing the temptation of less healthy alternatives on busy days.
This power bowl is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to enjoy vibrant, nourishing food that supports your well-being. It’s packed with plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins, making it a truly wholesome and satisfying meal. Enjoy every delightful bite!
More Vegan Power Bowl Inspiration
If you’re as passionate about vibrant, healthy, and satisfying power bowls as I am, you’re in luck! This Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl is just one example of the incredible variety you can explore. Here are more plant-based power bowl recipes to inspire your next delicious and nutritious meal:
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Delicata Squash Quinoa Power Bowl
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Sweet Potato & Forbidden Rice Power Bowls
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Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl
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Sushi Quinoa Power Bowl
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Greek Power Bowls With Cucumber Yogurt Tzatziki Sauce
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Paprika Power Bowl With Apple Cider Tahini
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Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls
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Tahini Tempeh Sweet Potato Noodle Bowl
-
Vegan Poke Bowl with SunButter Sauce
Engage With Us: Share Your Creations!
I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations and hearing your thoughts on my recipes. If you make this delicious Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl, please don’t hesitate to share your experience!
Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review right here on the blog. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps me continue to create more inspiring and delicious plant-based recipes for you.
Give me a shout on Instagram and remember to use the hashtag #floraandvino to showcase your beautiful power bowls. I can’t wait to see them!
For more plant-based meal ideas and healthy recipes, check out my Pinterest page. You’ll find plenty of inspiration to pin for later.
Love this post and want to stay updated with all the latest recipes and healthy living tips? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to my newsletter. You’ll get fresh content delivered right to your inbox!
XO Lauren
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Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl
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Author: Flora & Vino
Total Time: 50 mins
Yield: 2-3 bowls
Diet: Vegan
Description
This Lentil & Winter Squash Cauliflower Rice Power Bowl is a vibrant and incredibly satisfying vegan meal, perfect for healthy eating and meal prepping. It features tender roasted brussels sprouts and sweet red kuri squash, hearty lentils, and a light, grain-free cauliflower rice base, all tied together with a creamy, oil-free tahini dressing. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, this bowl is designed to nourish your body and delight your taste buds. Enjoy it as an easy weeknight dinner or a wholesome lunch that keeps you energized throughout the day.
Ingredients
- avocado oil spray
- 3 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 small red kuri squash (or sub any winter squash like butternut or delicata), halved, deseeded, and cut into 1/2″ half moons (skin on is fine!)
- 1 package Cece’s Veggie Noodle Co. Organic Rice Cauliflower*
- 1/4 diced white onion
- Himalayan sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 15-oz. can red or brown lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup runny tahini
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- 1 TBSP nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup filtered water + more to reach desired consistency
- handful of cilantro, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Add the trimmed and halved brussels sprouts and the prepared winter squash (red kuri or your chosen substitute) to the baking pan. Lightly spray with avocado oil (optional for oil-free diets) and season generously with Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Bake the vegetables for 20-25 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts are lightly browned and caramelized, and the winter squash is wonderfully fork-tender and slightly golden.
- While the vegetables are roasting, prepare your cauliflower rice. Spray a nonstick skillet with a bit of avocado oil (or a few tablespoons of veggie broth for an oil-free option) and heat over medium.** Once warm, add the riced cauliflower and diced onion. Season with a touch of salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and allow the cauliflower rice to “steam” for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned, softened, and has a slightly nutty flavor. Set aside until ready to assemble.
- If you haven’t already, drain and thoroughly rinse your canned lentils under cold water. Warm them gently in a small skillet over medium heat for several minutes, or simply microwave them for about 30 seconds until heated through.
- To create the creamy tahini dressing, combine the runny tahini, fresh lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and 1/4 cup of filtered water in a high-speed blender. Blend until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed, to reach your desired pouring consistency.***
- To assemble your nourishing power bowls, scoop a generous cup of the prepared cauliflower rice into each bowl. Top with a hearty portion of warm lentils, and then artfully arrange the roasted brussels sprouts and tender winter squash. Drizzle generously with the creamy tahini dressing and finish with a big handful of fresh, roughly chopped cilantro for an aromatic flourish. Serve immediately and enjoy!
- For convenient future meals, store any leftovers separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This allows for easy reassembly. Leftovers will keep fresh for 3-5 days.
Notes
*If you’re unable to find Cece’s Veggie Noodle Co. Organic Riced Cauliflower in your area, you can easily make your own. Simply use one whole head of cauliflower and follow my detailed instructions for ricing it, which can be found in this post.
**For an entirely oil-free preparation, when cooking the cauliflower rice, substitute the avocado oil spray with a few tablespoons of vegetable broth. Be sure to check the pan frequently to prevent drying or sticking. If the cauliflower rice begins to stick, add more vegetable broth in 1 tablespoon increments as needed.
***Alternatively, you can whisk the tahini dressing ingredients by hand with a fork. However, I’ve found that using a blender yields a much smoother, creamier dressing and helps the nutritional yeast break down more effectively for that perfect savory flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Entree, Power Bowl
- Method: Oven-Bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free
This post is proudly brought to you by Cece’s Veggie Noodles Co., a brand I genuinely appreciate for making healthy eating easier. While this content is sponsored, all opinions, words, and delicious eats are entirely my own. I’m grateful for their support, as it helps me continue creating and sharing more wonderful recipes with you!