CDK5RAP2 (also known as CEP215) is a key pericentriolar material (PCM) protein that recruits microtubule-nucleating factors at human centrosomes. Here, using an in vitro reconstitution system, we show that CDK5RAP2 is sufficient to form micron-scale scaffolds using nanometer-scale nucleators in a PLK-1-regulated manner. CDK5RAP2 assemblies recruited and activated γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRCs) which, in the presence of α/β-tubulin, generated microtubule asters. We found that amino acid F75 in CDK5RAP2 helps to recruit γ-TuRC and is indispensable for γ-TuRC activation. Furthermore, our system recapitulated key features of centrosome-amplified cancer cells. CDK5RAP2 scaffolds recruited the molecular motor HSET (also known as KifC1), which enhanced concentration of α/β-tubulin, microtubule polymerization and clustering of the assemblies. Our results highlight the specificity and selectivity of in vitro-generated CDK5RAP2 scaffolds, and identify a minimal set of components required for human PCM assembly and function. This minimal model offers a powerful tool for studying centrosome biology and dysfunction in human health and disease.