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You are here: Home / Budget Friendly / Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza (Chopped Cooking Challenge)

Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza (Chopped Cooking Challenge)

By Chris Cockren 71 Comments

Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza

A creative and healthy gluten-free recipe for Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza. 

Asheley and I get on these binges where we will watch like 3 4 5 an all-day marathon a few episodes of Chopped.  For those of you not familiar with the show, four contestants are presented with a basket of 4 ridiculously random ingredients and have a short window of time to come up with and execute a creative dish.  Three judges then critique the dishes and send someone home after each round, until one victor remains with a $10K check.

Now, unfortunately there is no $10K check being awarded today, but YOU get to be the judge.  That’s right, YOU get to be Alex Guarnaschelli.  Chris Santos.  Aaron Sanchez.  Scott Conant.  or Geoffrey Zakarian.  Actually sorry, Asheley just said she calls dibs on Geoffrey Zakarian.  She has a pretty gigantic crush on the silver fox.  Can’t say that I blame her either.

Welcome to the Chopped Cooking Challenge: Food Blog Edition ๐Ÿ™‚

So, let me present to you the contestants….

Chopped Challenge: Blogger Edition

For the inaugural Chopped Cooking Challenge: Food Blog Edition, I wanted to invite my good buddies from the dude blogosphere. Welcome Mike, David, and Sean.

All 3 of these guys have amazing blogs and if you don’t already follow them, you need to.  A brief intro about them…

Mike from The Iron You lives in NYC.  He’s into all that triathlon, exercising, paleo-esque living sorta crap.  You know, he’s that healthy friend that gives you the judgemental look as your scarfing down a hot dog with a side of ice cream.  But really, he has some super unique and healthy recipes on his blog that I’m always crazy impressed with.

David from Spiced Blog is our brotha from New York-tucky (i.e. upstate).  The dude comes up with some pretty creative recipes, and is a wizard at grilling and homemade ice cream making.  I keep asking him to ship me some ice cream, but he never does.  Jerk.

Sean from Snack Fixation also lives in NYC and is your go-to guy for all things snacks.  The dude reviews all sorts of delicious snacky-deliciousness and also posts some of his own recipes here and there.  You need to check out his instagram to keep up with all the amazing stuff the man eats around the city.

Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Okay, so today’s basket….

Avocado.  Sriracha.  Mortadella.  Cauliflower.

Yea, I know.  Not a basket of ingredients you typically see together.  But we dudes each came up with a recipe for you utilizing these 4 ingredients.

You obviously know mine.  It’s this Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza.

Mike @ The Iron You made… Cauliflower Crust Mortadella and Cheese Panini

David @ Spiced Blog made… Fried Cauliflower with Spicy Avocado Cream

Sean @ Snack Fixation made… Spicy Mortadella Pasta Salad

So now it’s time for you to decide.  Who’s the victor?

Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza

And just a note for my recipe here…

I used mortadella because, well, I had to.  It was a basket ingredient.  Feel free to substitue grilled chicken/steak, cooked ground beef, or just leave the meat out and make it vegetarian ๐Ÿ™‚

Print
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southwestern cauliflower crust pizza 61

Southwestern Cauliflower Crust Pizza (Chopped Cooking Challenge)


★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1 Pizza (probably 2 people for dinner) 1x
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

Scale
  • Cauliflower Pizza Crust (recipe below)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/4 cup frozen shelled edamame beans, thawed
  • 1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 thick slice mortadella, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Sriracha
  • Queso fresco or cotija cheese, crumbled, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for garnish

for the Cauliflower Crust

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ยฝ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add red bell pepper and red onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Top cooked cauliflower crust with sauteed peppers and onions, corn, edamame, black bleans, and mortadella. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Cook in 450ยฐF oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
  3. While pizza is cooking, combine mayonnaise with 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of sriracha (depending upon how spicy you want it).
  4. Remove pizza from oven, top with avocado, queso fresco/cotija cheese, sriracha mayo, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.

for the Cauliflower Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 450ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper lightly grease with olive oil.
  2. In a food processor, process the cauliflower florets until it resembles rice (evenly chopped but not totally pulverized). Transfer cauliflower rice to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 7-8 minutes, or until cooked.
  3. Let cauliflower cool for a bit, then place in a clean kitchen towel. Twist and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Don’t skip this step, as the cauliflower needs to be dry in order to set properly as a “pizza crust”.
  4. Pour the cauliflower rice to a mixing bowl, add egg, cheddar cheese, and season with Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Mix to combine.
  5. Using your hands, press the mixture onto the baking sheet into a thin, even-layered disk.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Let cool slightly, then carefully flip and cook for 5-7 more minutes.
  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @Chris_SharedAppetite on Instagram and hashtag it #SharedAppetite

 

Filed Under: Budget Friendly, Easy Entertaining, Game Day, Gluten-Free, Healthy Eating, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: cauliflower crust pizza, creative cauliflower pizza crust, creative gluten free pizza recipe, southwestern cauliflower crust pizza

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jess

    July 18, 2014 at 11:28 am

    I’ve been wanting to try a cauliflower pizza crust recipe for ages now! It looks absolutely amazing and I really like all the Southern-style toppings! Definitely a recipe to try out!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks so much Jess ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Shashi

    July 18, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Chris – this is such a brilliant challenge idea! I love Chopped!!!
    Your toppings are fantastic and your cauliflower crust looks exceptional!

    So, if I was going for originality – I would have to vote for David’s battered and fried cauliflower, but Mike’s cauli bread and your cauli crust would win in the “healthy foods I would adapt in my kitchen” department. I haven’t seen Sean’s yet…so far it’s a tie – but I -and all your readers-can be bribed with food …just saying… ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      Hmmmm, a cauliflower pizza is in the mail to you! How’s that for a bribe!

      Reply
  3. Lyuba

    July 18, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Love Chopped! I go on Chopped binges too ๐Ÿ™‚ Especially when it’s the celebrity chef ones. I myself have crush on Aaron Sanchez…love that dude!
    You are too funny and what a great idea for a challenge!
    I really want to try this pizza ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Ahhhh Aaron Sanchez (but you have to say it like him… Arrrrrron… with lots of rolled tongue) hahaha

      Reply
  4. Mike

    July 18, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Man, I can’t find the right words to say how proud I am of you. You’ve not only made cauli crust pizza, but you’ve delivered one of the best looking cauli crust pizzas I’ve ever laid my eyes on. This.Is.Solid.

    About me giving judgmental looks when I see somebody scarfing down a hot dog…well, I have to disagree with you.
    My looks are not only judgmental, they’re also condescending, harsh and full of resentment.
    I’m just a mean human being you know…
    ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Hahaha, wow, proud words of encouragement from Alpha! Hahaha, that was hysterical… condescending, harsh, and full of resentment LOL

      Reply
  5. Sandra

    July 18, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    You have my vote, Chris….but I might have a slight bias towards you…and cauliflower pizza crust! Nice to check out some other dude bloggers ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope you all have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Hahaha yes, 1 vote for me ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  6. Lokness

    July 18, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Wow. Chopped is a great show! Tons of fun! Cauliflower pizza crust? That is impressive creative! This pizza sounds super delicious. You have totally outdone yourself!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks so much Lokness!

      Reply
  7. Beth

    July 18, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    This is so fun!! I think it’s awesome that you guys are doing your own version of Chopped. Also a great way to promote the guys of the food blog world! This pizza is such a creative way to use those ingredients. Looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks so much Beth! It was a lot of fun!

      Reply
  8. Ashley

    July 18, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    haha I definitely go on food network watching binges. We just got cable again after a year without it so I have been wasting wayyyy too much time ahem, catching up! lol

    Loveee all the southwestern toppings you have going on here. I still have yet to try the cauliflower crust pizza but I definitely need to!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      No cable for a year?! I’m impressed. Yup, it’s about time you caught up lol.

      Reply
  9. Krista

    July 18, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Pretty sure you guys are my favorite “dude” blogs and love that you have joined together for this! But love this recipe even more Chris! So need to make this soon, I have been in the mood for pizza lately and this sounds perfect!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      Yay for us being your favorite dude bloggers… I mean really, who’s better than Mike, David, and Sean?!

      Reply
  10. cheri

    July 18, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Hi Chris, sounds like a fun contest, love this combination of ingredients, well maybe not if I had to be them all together myself, but this pizza looks great, love the crust.

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Thanks Cheri!

      Reply
  11. Cindy

    July 18, 2014 at 11:58 pm

    I love watching chopped. I think I’d totally lose it and freak out with all that pressure. These seems like a better version to me ๐Ÿ˜€
    I love this pizza! I have been wanting to try a cauliflower crust and now I really really want it now. Looks delicious! Great job ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:28 pm

      Yea, having a few weeks to plan out your dish is a LOT easier hahaha. Much less stressful ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. Kelly

    July 19, 2014 at 12:22 am

    Haha this is so much fun!! Love chopped and these ingredients that were chosen! The cauliflower crust looks incredible! and I bet it tastes amazing with all those southwestern flavors! I still need to try making a cauliflower crust and can’t wait to try this one – pinned!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks so much Kelly!

      Reply
  13. Alice // Hip Foodie Mom

    July 19, 2014 at 12:25 am

    oh my gawd, I love this idea!! Chopped Cooking Challenge for food bloggers. . awesome!!! Now, if we could just get this on the Food Network, we’d be golden. ๐Ÿ˜› I’ve been wanting to try cauliflower pizza for the longest time. . totally going to try your recipe . . looks so delicious!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:26 pm

      Hmmm, maybe some big wig from FN will come across this post and make it happen. It would be so much fun to make that happen!

      Reply
  14. Layla

    July 19, 2014 at 4:44 am

    Oh I love how you spiced up the pizza! It looks soooo good!! YUM ๐Ÿ˜€

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks Layla! It was pretty yum!

      Reply
  15. Kristi

    July 19, 2014 at 9:20 am

    What a great crust Chris! I love how inventive you were – and your pizza looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks so much Kristi! You’re too kind ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  16. Cate

    July 19, 2014 at 10:04 am

    Your Chopped challenge sounds like so much fun! And I love what you did with the ingredients – this looks amazing! I have been dying to try a cauliflower pizza crust – yum!!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks so much Cate! It was a blast!

      Reply
  17. David

    July 19, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Somehow I failed to comment on this yesterday, Chris. I am a bad Wolfpacker. Don’t hate me! This pizza looks absolutely amazing…I’ve been wanting to make a cauliflower crust pizza, so now I just need to make that happen. And I totally laughed out loud at the New York-tucky. Hilarious! I just might have to start using that one. Thanks for organizing this bad boy, too…you know, we’re already getting requests to do it again! ๐Ÿ™‚ #WolfpackEats represent!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Hahaha, I’ve been using New York-tucky for a long time. It’s a totally different NY up there! Dude, this was so much fun. Maybe a dessert challenge needs to be issued in the near future?!

      Reply
  18. Laura Dembowski

    July 19, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    I would happily dig in to this pizza! I’m very impressed by your cauliflower crust. And if you ever let any ladies in on future Chopped challenges, I’d love to participate! Chopped as gotten me through many an elliptical session ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      I’ll be trying to do these Chopped posts about once every month or two. Love for you to participate. I’ll add you to the list ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  19. Anna

    July 19, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    This looks amazing. Loving the toppings! I mean, avocado on pizza? Genius! Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      LOVE avocado ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  20. Liz

    July 19, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    You executed this perfectly!! I’ve been wanting to make a cauliflower crust for ages! Your toppings are the perfect complement to this healthier crust!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks so much Liz!

      Reply
  21. Rachel

    July 19, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    This pizza looks amazing – love all the southwestern flavors AND that it’s on a cauliflower crust!! So good ๐Ÿ™‚ pinned!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks Rachel!

      Reply
  22. Ceara

    July 19, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    OKAY, this chopped pizza looks EPIC! It is literally covered in so many delicious toppings. I want to reach into my screen and eat it!! ๐Ÿ™‚ You did a wonderful job on this pizza!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      I wish we could reach into the screen… that would be an amazing invention!

      Reply
  23. Sarah

    July 20, 2014 at 1:55 am

    Every time I go to make cauliflower crust, it ends up soggy and….not so yummy. Yours, on the other hand, is crispy and looks drool-worthy! It’s a tough choice between your pizza and Mike’s cauliflower crust panini (what?!). Super creative! I love this chopped challenge idea – I’d love to get in on it sometime (are ladies invited?:)

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      The key to crispy crust is to ring out all excess water from the cauliflower after it’s cooked… it is a crucial step. And yea, Mike’s pretty creative and awesome like that.

      Love for you to participate! I’m hoping to do another one in about a month or so. Since you are one rad lady, you sure are invited haha

      Reply
  24. Sarah

    July 20, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Yep. That first photo sealed my vote. This pizza looks AH-MAZING, Chris! Southwestern food is one of my favs and I am definitely gonna have to try this one for our next pizza night. In LOVE with that amazing-looking cauliflower crust. ๐Ÿ™‚ Pinned!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks Sarah! I love me southwestern flavors too… my fave!

      Reply
  25. Helen

    July 20, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Ooh, this is a tricky one! I honestly like the sound of all 4 recipes but as your blog is the only one of those blogs that I follow I would have to be diplomatic and say that I like yours best!
    However, I do particularly like the sound of the fried cauli dish as well ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      Why thanks Helen ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’ll take any vote I can take! David’s fried cauliflower sounds pretty fantastic… he’s one creative dude!

      Reply
  26. Medha

    July 20, 2014 at 10:47 am

    This looks beyond fun! I love southwestern flavors and this lightened up cauliflower crust is awesome ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 20, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      It was a ton of fun! Southwestern flavors are my fave ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  27. sean weber

    July 20, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    Gorgeous, Chris. This looks like the kind of pizza I skip meals for… so I can enjoy more of it. Nice job. And the cauliflower crust idea was brilliant.

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 22, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Thanks so much Sean! Love that pasta salad you came up with!

      Reply
  28. Ala

    July 21, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Chris, how have I not been following your blog before this moment? This. Is. Genius. In the lead-up to my oh-so-nail-biting-qualifying exams a few months ago, I would just pull up an episode of Chopped–sometimes two–and just wallow my way through dinner while shouting obnoxious comments to the contestants. I love that you guys have done a Chopped edition–lordy lord, that sounds like it would be so much fun to partake in! I can’t pick. I just can’t. But heck yessss this is awesome!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 22, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Thanks so much Ala! Glad you stopped by!

      Reply
  29. Chelsea

    July 21, 2014 at 8:07 am

    What a fun challenge Chris! And this is the best looking cauliflower pizza crust – totally on board with the southwestern flavors too; yum! Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 22, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Thanks so much Chelsea!

      Reply
  30. Melanie

    July 21, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I still haven’t tried cauliflower crust pizza but it sounds so dang good! Must try soon.
    Pinned, Chris!
    Have an awesome day!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 22, 2014 at 10:05 am

      Thanks so much Melanie!

      Reply
  31. Sarah and Arkadi

    July 22, 2014 at 10:14 am

    We really gotta try the cauliflower crust! Your version looks so appetizing!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 24, 2014 at 8:38 am

      Yes, totally try it sometime! Thanks guys!

      Reply
  32. Olivia - Primavera Kitchen

    July 22, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Oh Gosh… I’ve wanted to try this cauliflower pizza dough for I don’t know how long. Yours looks great and very tasty. I’ve gotta try to make some soon. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 24, 2014 at 8:37 am

      Thanks so much Olivia! Definitely give it a try sometime! Can’t wait to see what you would come up with!

      Reply
  33. Christine

    July 22, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    omg I absolutely LOVE this concept and this recipe!!! What a fun and creative food blogger spin, this is such a great idea Chris. and holy yes for mortadella!!! one of the most unappreciated Italian meats and it is truly so crazy delish, love that you are repping it here! votin’ for ya!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 24, 2014 at 8:36 am

      Thanks so much Christine! It was a lot of fun!

      Reply
  34. Annie

    July 24, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    I just made this! We loved it! The toppings were so unusual, yet totally perfect together! This will be a staple at our table!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 27, 2014 at 11:24 pm

      Thanks so much Annie!

      Reply
  35. Nicole

    August 4, 2014 at 11:20 am

    I’m in the process of getting bikini ready and REALLY craving pizza! I’m almost ready to try one of these cauliflower crusts … almost. I’m kind of a pizza snob. But your cauliflower crust pizzas always look tasty!

    Reply
    • Chris

      August 9, 2014 at 4:09 am

      Hahaha it’s a great alternative to the real thing ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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