Cauliflower Mini Pizzas with Savory Toppings
Experience the delightful twist on traditional pizza with these delicious mini cauliflower pizzas. Perfectly baked cauliflower crusts serve as the base for your culinary creativity. Top them with sizzling Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, zesty red onions, and briny black olives, or customize them with your favorite ingredients. These mini pizzas are not only gluten-free but also a fun and healthy way to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors in a bite-sized form. Perfect for parties, family dinners, or a quick snack!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
As needed (For coating tart pans)
Frozen cauliflower rice
24 ounces (Thawed)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Grated parmesan cheese
6 tablespoons
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (For cooking sausage)
Italian link sausage
1 (Casing removed)
Tomato sauce
8 ounces
Shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup
Green bell pepper
1/2 (Finely diced)
Red onion
1/2 small (Finely diced)
Black olives
2 tablespoons (Sliced and coarsely chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange ten 3.5-inch tart pans on a baking sheet and generously coat them with nonstick cooking spray.
2
In a food processor, add the thawed cauliflower rice and pulse until finely ground. Cook the cauliflower in the microwave according to the package instructions. Allow it to cool before proceeding.
3
Once cooled, place the cauliflower into a clean dish towel or cheesecloth. Wring out as much liquid as possible to prevent a soggy crust.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained cauliflower with the beaten egg, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well with a fork until fully incorporated.
5
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the cauliflower mixture into each tart pan. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pans.
6
Bake the crusts in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
7
Carefully remove the crusts from the tart pans by first detaching the outer ring, then using a small offset spatula to gently separate the crusts from the bottoms. Transfer the crusts to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8
In a small skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the Italian sausage for about 7-10 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned. Drain the cooked sausage on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
9
Spread about 2 teaspoons of tomato sauce evenly onto each cauliflower crust. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, cooked sausage, diced onions, diced bell peppers, and chopped olives.
10
Return the mini pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11
While the pizzas bake, combine any remaining tomato sauce, sausage, onions, peppers, and olives in a bowl and warm in the microwave. Serve this mixture on the side as a tasty dip.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cauliflower Mini Pizzas with Savory Toppings?
These are bite-sized, gluten-free pizzas that use a savory cauliflower-based crust instead of traditional dough, topped with sausage, vegetables, and cheese.
Are these mini pizzas gluten-free?
Yes, because the crust is made from cauliflower, eggs, and cheese rather than wheat flour, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
How do I prepare the cauliflower for the crust?
Pulse thawed cauliflower rice in a food processor until finely ground, microwave it according to package directions, let it cool, and then wring out all excess liquid.
Why is it important to wring out the cauliflower?
Wringing out the moisture is a critical step to prevent the crust from becoming soggy and to ensure it bakes up firm.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What ingredients are in the cauliflower crust?
The crust consists of thawed cauliflower rice, one beaten egg, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
How long do the cauliflower crusts bake?
The crusts bake for an initial 15-20 minutes until golden brown, followed by a final 7-10 minutes once the toppings are added.
What size tart pans should I use?
The recipe recommends using ten 3.5-inch tart pans for the individual mini pizzas.
How do I prevent the crusts from sticking to the pans?
Generously coat the tart pans with nonstick cooking spray before pressing the cauliflower mixture into them.
How do I remove the crusts from the tart pans?
First detach the outer ring of the pan, then use a small offset spatula to gently separate the crust from the bottom.
What toppings are included in this recipe?
The suggested toppings are Italian sausage, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, green bell peppers, red onions, and black olives.
How is the Italian sausage prepared?
Remove the casing, then cook the sausage in a skillet with olive oil for 7-10 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Can I make these pizzas vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make them vegetarian by omitting the Italian sausage or replacing it with a plant-based alternative.
How much sauce goes on each mini pizza?
Use approximately 2 teaspoons of tomato sauce for each cauliflower crust.
What is the purpose of the egg in the crust?
The beaten egg acts as a binder that holds the cauliflower and cheese together to form a solid crust.
How do I know when the pizzas are finished baking?
The pizzas are done when the mozzarella cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Can I use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh cauliflower, but you must still pulse it into a rice consistency and cook/drain it as described.
What seasoning is used for the crust?
The crust is flavored with one tablespoon each of Italian seasoning and garlic powder, plus a half teaspoon of salt.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to be distributed across the pizzas.
What should I do with the leftover toppings and sauce?
You can combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl and warm them in the microwave to serve as a side dip.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe yields ten mini pizzas, which can serve as a snack for a group or a meal for a family.
Is olive oil used in the recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of olive oil is used specifically for cooking the Italian sausage.
What type of parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese to be mixed into the cauliflower crust.
Can I customize the pizza toppings?
Absolutely, the cauliflower crust serves as a versatile base for any of your favorite pizza ingredients.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe uses a half of a small red onion, finely diced.
How should the olives be prepared?
Two tablespoons of black olives should be sliced and then coarsely chopped before being added as a topping.
Are these pizzas suitable for parties?
Yes, their bite-sized nature and finger-food format make them an excellent choice for appetizers or party snacks.
How should the cauliflower be cooked before making the crust?
It should be microwaved according to the package instructions after being pulsed into a fine ground.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare your tart pans with nonstick spray.
Is this a healthy alternative to pizza?
Yes, by replacing the dough with cauliflower and using fresh vegetables, it provides a more nutritious, lower-carb option.