Summer Veggie Pizza with Cauliflower Crust
I have to admit that I am loving the cauliflower “rice” trend - so much so that it’s become a staple in my weekly meal planning. Cauliflower’s mild flavor pairs well with most other foods, and my favorite place to use riced or mashed cauliflower is in place of starches like rice pilafs and mashed potatoes. These swaps not only boost non-starchy veggie intake but also have fiber that can be equivalent or higher.
Now that I’ve admitted my affection for cauliflower crumbles, here’s something that may surprise you: I had never made a cauliflower crust pizza! It’s not that those pizza recipes don’t look amazing on Pinterest and Instagram. I’ve got a file with at least 12 recipes in it for some type of veggie-crusted pizza. It’s just that by the time I reach mid-afternoon, the thought of making pizza with a cauliflower crust seems more daunting of a task than I want to take on at the often-hectic dinner hour. Plus, there just seems like a lot that could go wrong with a veggie crust.
Yet, I’ve been intrigued. So when the American Heart Association asked me to pick a few recipes to try from their new cookbook Sodium-Smart Recipes, I immediately volunteered for the Summer Veggie Pizza with Cauliflower Crust before I had any time to think twice about my choice. I knew I wanted to try my hand at making a cauliflower-crust pizza so turning it into an “assignment” of sorts would actually make it happen.
The result of my impulsiveness was a surprisingly easy and quick homemade pizza dinner that everyone loved. In fact, shaping the cauliflower crumble mixture into a large crust was way easier than I expected - not to mention much easier than dealing with a yeast dough! Once baked, the crust was crispy, slightly chewy, and came easily off the pan (even with me forgetting to use parchment paper!). The fresh basil, vegetable and cheese toppings were simple, but hearty and ample so my kids seemed to forget that there wasn’t any sausage or pepperoni.
In fact, I found the recipe so easy and tasty that Summer Veggie Pizza with Cauliflower Crust has become a regular in my house. I’ve used the cauliflower crust portion of the recipe to also make other pizza variations. So, if you’ve been eyeing cauliflower crust pizzas - and even if you’ve never seen one until now - this is a really good, no-stress one to try!
Click here to find out additional tips on how to keep things heart healthy, yet simple and delicious. I also share a few other cauliflower crust pizza variations. Enjoy!!
