Author Notes
Roasted cauliflower layered with a creamy tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan, pepperoni and fresh basil. —Julie Andrews
Ingredients
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2
medium heads cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets (about 5 cups)
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4 tablespoons
olive oil, divided
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1
medium yellow onion, finely diced
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1 pound
ground turkey or Italian sausage
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4
cloves garlic, minced
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1.5 tablespoons
dried basil leaves
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2 teaspoons
dried fennel seeds (optional)
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2
(28 oz.) cans whole San Marzano tomatoes, thoroughly drained
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2 tablespoons
tomato paste
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1 teaspoon
each coarse salt, ground black pepper and granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons
heavy cream
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2.5 cups
shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup
pepperoni slices
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0.25 cups
chopped fresh parsley and basil
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Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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