You know the old saying... if life gives you cauliflower, make pizza crust.
What, that's not a saying?! Well, I propose right here and now that it should be.
We all know cauliflower is a pretty great vegetable, sure. But do you know just how versatile it is? Did you know you can take a head of the stuff and make, yes, a pizza crust? Or a lightened-up version of mashed potatoes? How about hummus? Rice?! Popcorn! Buffalo wings!!
This incredible cruciferous vegetable isn't only low in carbohydrates (perfect for those eating lower-carb diets); it's utterly packed with nutrients. So the fact that you can transform it into a myriad of other things—usually as as substitute for something that would have been far more calorie-dense—it's a very good thing.
Here are 20 brilliant cauliflower recipes from around the web that touch upon the infinite possibilities for this one remarkable vegetable.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Description: Spicy cauliflower "wings" dipped in cool ranch sauce? Yes, please. McKel at Nutrition Stripped shares this recipe for game day or any day.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Description: Cauliflower pizza crust? Yep! Your Lighter Side came up with this inventive pizza crust that took the Internet by storm. That's actually not bread at all—it's cauliflower, cheese, eggs, and seasonings. And it's absolutely delicious.
Cauliflower Crust Garlic "Breadsticks"
Description: More cauliflower masquerading as bread! Is there anything it can't do?! An Edible Mosaic brings us all the crispy, cheesy goodness.
Smoked Paprika Popcorn Cauliflower
Description: It might not truly resemble popcorn, but cauliflower "popcorn" is definitely oh-so poppable. This version from Busy in Brooklyn is spiked with smoked paprika for an addictive—yet healthy—snack.
Cauliflower "Shrimp" Cocktail
Description: Score one for sheer creativity! Cauliflower stands in for shrimp in this "Poor-Man's Cocktail" from Noble Pig.
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
Description: Chickpeas, schmickpeas. Roasted cauliflower stands in for the popular legume in this creative lighter hummus.
Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Cheddar Dip
Description: This cheesy, garlicky spread has a little secret—hidden cauliflower! Gina from Henry Happened roasts the cauliflower and garlic, then blends it with cheese and Greek yogurt for an appetizer that only seems decadent.
Cauliflower Rice
Description: Looks like actual rice, doesn't it? Well, it's not! Those grains you see are actually 100% cauliflower. Cauliflower rice isn't only delicious, it's really kind of life-changing.
Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls
Description: The perfect use for cauliflower rice? Burrito bowls! Chickpeas, pico de gallo, fresh corn and guacamole complete this delicious picture from The Roasted Root.
Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Description: Okay, we've grasped the sheer brilliance of cauliflower "rice." Here, The Healthy Maven takes it up a notch: cauliflower as a stand in for bulgur in a gorgeous tabbouleh.
Creamy Cauliflower Sauce
Description: Lindsay of Pinch of Yum, author of The Creamy Cauliflower Sauce Cookbook, created this brilliant take on Alfredo sauce—made with cauliflower, garlic, a little butter, and not a speck of cream. Our pasta will never be the same.
Trimmed Down Cheddar and Chive Duchess Potatoes
Description: Cauliflower makes the perfect stand-in for high-carb potatoes—these lightened-up potatoes are proof positive.
Sour Cream & Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower
Description: Sour cream and cheddar flavor this creative (and scrumptious!) mashed potato stand-in from All Day I Dream About Food.
Baked Cauli-Tots
Description: Here's another example of how delicious and versatile cauliflower can be in place of potatoes. Cupcakes and Kale Chips brings us these crispy baked-not-fried Cauliflower Tots. Yum!
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Meyer Lemon Relish
Description: Thick slices of cauliflower, seasoned, roasted, and decorated with a tangy citrus relish. Hallelujah! Brooklyn Supper's got the cauliflower steak thing covered.
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Description: An entire head of cauliflower, steamed and pureed, goes into this secret-ingredient lighter macaroni and cheese from The Lemon Bowl. That means we can have three helpings, right?
Cauliflower Hummus Burgers
Description: Not just a cauliflower veggie burger, but a cauliflower veggie burger with the flavors of hummus, and then topped with a minty tzatziki sauce! Dreamy.
Pulled Cauliflower BBQ Sandwiches
Description: Beard & Bonnet provides proof positive that you truly can do anything with cauliflower. In this case, it swims in a tangy barbecue sauce and joins caramelized onions for a seriously scrumptious sky-high sandwich.
Bloomin' Indian Spiced Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Description: Yep—a bloomin' cauliflower. How flippin' brilliant is that? Find this gorgeous, pluckable specimen over at An Edible Mosaic.
Vegetarian Firecracker Cauliflower
Description: This vegetarian spin on firecracker take-out features crunchy baked cauliflower in place of chicken or shrimp. Serve over rice and drizzle with a sweet and spicy homemade chili sauce for a dish that rivals any restaurant.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I have had the pulled cauliflower bbq sandwiches before and I LOVED them!! You can never go wrong with pizza crust and rice though, too!
Kare Troughton says
I cannot WAIT to try those sandwiches. So creative!
dishing up the dirt says
Love love love cauliflower! It's the best "secret" ingredient ever.
Kare Troughton says
Seriously! So many possibilities.
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Mmmm I made those cauli bites with vegan ranch for the superbowl and they were insane!!! YUMYUM.
Kare Troughton says
Every time I look at that photo I drool a little! Or a lot. Or both. 😉
Ruta @ The Smart Cookie says
I love your beautiful website. So pretty and so delicious.
I had a question about blogging etiquette. When you do a round-up like this, do you have to ask all the authors individually for permission to use their recipes/photos or is it simply OK to give credit to them. Thanks so much!
Kare Troughton says
Hi Ruta! Thank you for the nice words! In round-ups such as these, we do make sure it's okay with individual bloggers before including their photos, and we link directly to the recipe on their blogs.
Julia Mueller says
This post is amazing, Kare! I seriously eat at least a head of cauliflower every week (it's bad...real, real bad...ohhhhh but it's so good!), and am ALWAYS interested in trying out new cauliflower recipes! Thanks so much for the excellent roundup! I'm drooling. And thanks for including my cauli rice burrito bowls, woop woop!! 🙂
Kare Troughton says
When I started my cauli-research, I was floored by the sheer creativity! So much you can do with one miraculous veggie. 🙂 Your burrito bowls are GORGEOUS!
Connie says
Great collection! The hubs will only eat well-hidden cauliflower, so these are needed so I can get my fix!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
I have to do the same with spinach in order to get my husband to eat it. It's not quite as easy to hide, though! 🙂
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
I am a HUGE fan of cauliflowers! This is a great collection, Kare.
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
It's such an incredible veggie, isn't it?!
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
I am pretty obsessed with cauliflower! I love how it crisps up in the oven! But I am pretty bummed that you beat me to making cauliflower hummus! How have I never thought of this yet? 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
I thought the same thing when Kiersten posted that recipe for Cauliflower Hummus a few months ago! Such a brilliant idea. 🙂
Amy says
What great ideas for cauliflower! I never would've thought of making cauliflower into a pizza crust - I think this would be a great way to serve healthy pizza to my kids too! Thanks for the great round up 🙂
Amy
http://www.midwestjuicegirl.com
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
That's a good point. My toddler is super picky but will eat most anything if it's got crispy parts. I think I'm going to have to see how she does with cauliflower pizza crust or breadsticks sometime soon!
Emma says
Cauliflower really is the new kale! So many great ideas here. Thanks for sharing.
Top of my list is the smoked paprika popcorn cauliflower.
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Doesn't that look incredible?! I've made cauliflower "popcorn" before but when I saw the smoked paprika ... mind blown.
Grace @ Earthy Feast says
Fabulous cauliflower round-up! I have yet to try the magical cauliflower pizza crust trick! What am I waiting for?! These all look amazing! 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Go forth and cauli! 😀
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I've been obsessed with cauliflower lately so the timing for this round-up is perfect!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
I'm pretty obsessed, too. Such a wonder veggie.
Maria Tadic says
I cannot wait to make that buffalo cauliflower dip. The ONE thing I semi miss about being a meat eater are chicken wings! I have yet to give into any cravings...buuuut now that there is a cauliflower version I will be making these ASAP! I'm so excited!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Buffalo cauliflower is incredible! No chicken needed. 😉
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I am drooling over this list!! Thanks for the mac and cheese shout out!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
That mac and cheese looks freakin' incredible! Had to include it for sure. 🙂
Joanne says
I am endlessly amazed at cauli's versatility!! I can't wait to try all of these!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
I know, right?! Is there anything it can't do? Well, maybe my taxes. I sure *wish* it could do my taxes.
Monica says
Perfect timing! I've been developing a cauliflower obsession and now I have a list to work from. Thank you. =) I just made the pizza, it was so good that the guys at work were forced to look at it and hear ALL about it. So good! I did flip the crust halfway through and then broiled each side for a few minutes. That, plus mixing the cheese with half parmesan made it an eat with your hands, fold it half, New York kinda slice.
Thank you for the steady stream of great recipes and ideas!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
NY-style cauliflower pizza. I'm totally drooling!
[email protected] says
I've been meaning to try the cauliflower pizza crust forever- thanks for the reminder! I love how creative all these food bloggers are! 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Seriously, there are some incredibly creative and talented folks out there! 🙂
[email protected] says
Ohhh cauliflower is my favorite so this is my dream collection!
Kare Troughton says
Isn't it the best?!
Kira - HealthAble Old Soul says
*Cauliflower Crazy* I can't get enough cauliflower! While your sneaking in cauliflower in recipes, it is easy to sneak other stuff too!
Kare Troughton says
Excellent point! I'm all for sneaking in as many veggies as possible. 🙂
[email protected] eco friendly homemaking says
What great recipes for cauliflower! Love the looks of that pizza. I just noticed that you have a book on pro biotic drinks. How do I go about getting a copy? I would love to share this on my blog since I am just getting started learning about this.
Kare Troughton says
Hi Alicia, thank you! Delicious Probiotic Drinks was written by fellow Oh My Veggies contributor Julia Mueller. You can find out more/get contact info by visiting her blog, theroastedroot.net. Such a great book!
Susan Grandone says
OMG! I just started wheat belly lifestyle and broke up with my beloved "potato" 🙁 and found mashed cauliflower 🙂 I could eat it everyday!!...however had no idea it could be turned into pizza crust!!!!! Okay I think I love you guys!!! 🙂 Can't wait to try it and the other recipes mentioned here!!! My husband actually found this blog!! ha ha!! Thank you...Thank you....Thank you!!!!
Kiersten Frase says
I hope you like it! The cauliflower pizza crust is really good - it doesn't taste exactly like pizza crust, obviously, but I love it. Just wish it was as easy as buying a crust from the grocery store. 😉
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
I love how versatile cauliflower is, and the variety of recipes in this round-up showcases that beautifully! Thanks so much for including me.
Amy R Gutman says
Are there links for these recipes? An earlier comment suggests yes, but I'm not seeing anything. Tks!