Cauliflower has been having a moment—it feels like everywhere we look we see a new dish utilizing the vegetable in different ways. It’s no surprise to us though. This veg can take on so many great flavors and forms. Take this recipe for Whole Cauliflower Roast with Walnut Pesto, for example. It makes a head of cauliflower become the main course, sliced into wedges or even “steaks.” Or, on the other side of the spectrum, we like to rice cauliflower so fine that it becomes the consistency of mashed potatoes when mixed with a little cream—a slightly healthier version of mashed potatoes.

As cauliflower continues to take center stage, we’ve also seen it as a base for pizza. At first, we were slightly skeptical. How can you change pizza?! But, with plans to eat healthier, we thought we’d try making a cauliflower pizza crust for ourselves.

Here’s what we learned:

Fine Pieces

We knew that to get the best results we had to start with the finest pieces possible. We found the quickest and neatest way to make cauliflower rice is with a food processor. The sharp blades cut through tough florets and create even “grains” which serve as the base of the crust. 

Get more tips on how to make riced cauliflower and what to make with it.

Dry it Out

We recommend microwaving or steaming the cauliflower rice for 4-5 minutes and then letting it cool. Once it’s cool enough to touch, squeeze it through a cheesecloth to remove all the liquid. This step is extra important for getting a crispy pie so make sure the cauliflower gets completely dry.

Cheese for Binding

The cauliflower rice (which by now is in the shape of a ball) gets mixed with cheese (we tried parmesan and goat), egg and some seasoning (salt, dried oregano and garlic powder). Then the mixture gets spread out and baked for 30 minutes. This will help bind it all together.

Treat it Like a Pizza

Once you have a crispy, crusty base, you’re ready to start treating it like a pizza. Add whatever you normally would: sauce (but go light, because again, liquid isn’t the best here), cheese, smoked meats and fresh vegetables. Pop it back into the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melty. Slice, serve and you’ve got yourself a healthier pizza night.

Ready to get cooking? Try our recipes for Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad and Roasted Potato Pizza with Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw, or our easy tips for grilling pizza.