Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza Casserole Recipe

Name: Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 medium heads cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets (about 5 cups); 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 1 pound ground turkey or Italian sausage; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 tablespoons dried basil leaves; 2 teaspoons dried fennel seeds (optional); 2 (28 oz.) cans whole San Marzano tomatoes, thoroughly drained; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon each coarse salt, ground black pepper and granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup pepperoni slices; 0.25 cups chopped fresh parsley and basil; Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Servings: persons

2 medium heads cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets (about 5 cups)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 pound ground turkey or Italian sausage
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 tablespoons dried basil leaves
2 teaspoons dried fennel seeds (optional)
2 (28 oz.) cans whole San Marzano tomatoes, thoroughly drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon each coarse salt, ground black pepper and granulated sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup pepperoni slices
0.25 cups chopped fresh parsley and basil
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2
Place cauliflower florets on a large baking sheet. Coat with two tablespoons olive oil and toss with a generous pinch of coarse salt and black pepper. Roast cauliflower for 20-25 minutes, until just tender. Remove from the oven.
3
In the meantime, heat remaining two tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven or stock pot to medium heat. Add onion and saute 3-4 minutes, until soft. Add ground turkey or Italian sausage and break it up with a spatula, cooking until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic, basil, oregano and fennel. Add tomatoes, crushing with the spatula, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer at medium-high heat and allow to cook 15-20 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper and sugar. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Stir in heavy cream. Optional: Use an immersion blender to puree, if desired.
4
Grease a glass or ceramic casserole dish. Layer half of the cauliflower, tomato cream sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and Parmesan cheese. Repeat with remaining cauliflower, tomato cream sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.
5
Bake 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees, until cheese is bubbly and brown. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Serve with parsley, basil and red pepper flakes.

607

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 medium heads cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets (about 5 cups), 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided, 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced, 1 pound ground turkey or Italian sausage, and more.

Yes, Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza Casserole falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza Casserole

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions