Lean & Green Cauliflower Crust Pepperoni Pizza Meal (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

A delicious & flavorful Pizza
& Salad Meal! ❤️

Pizza Ingredients: 

2 1/2 cups riced cauliflower

1 egg

1/3 cup (2 3/4 ounces) shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup low carb cracker crumbs*

1/4 cup low carb marinara sauce**

2 cloves garlic, minced

2/3 cup (5 1/2 ounces) shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

2 ounces turkey pepperoni***

Salad Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups lettuce

3/8 cup chopped cucumber

3 tablespoons Walden Farms 0 calorie Italian dressing

Optional Garnish:

3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 400*. Line a baking sheet, pizza pan or pizza stone with parchment paper and set aside.

Place the cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl. Cover and cook in a microwave oven for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool. When the cauliflower is cool enough to handle, transfer to cheesecloth or a clean, thin dish towel. Squeeze to remove as much liquid from the cauliflower as possible.

Add the cauliflower, egg, 1/3 cup mozzarella, Parmesan and crumbs to a large bowl. Blend with an electric hand mixer until the mixture is well combined. Pat into a 10 inch circle on the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Evenly spread the marinara sauce on top of the baked crust. Sprinkle with the minced garlic. Arrange the pepperoni on top of the sauce and garlic. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes and the cheese is melted.

Cool for a couple of minutes before slicing. Cut into 6 equal portions. Makes three (2 slice) servings. If desired, sprinkle each slice with 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

For a complete Lean & Green meal, serve with a salad made with 3/4 lettuce, 1/8 cup cucumber and 1 tablespoon dressing.

*I used crushed Optavia Zesty Cheddar & Italian Herb Crunchers, but if you are following a different meal plan other low carb, gluten free cracker crumbs may be used.

**I use Victoria brand, but another low carb marinara may be used.

***I prefer turkey pepperoni because it is not as greasy as regular pepperoni is.

Two slices of pizza and a portion of salad equal: 1 lean, 3 green, 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 condiments & 1/6 an Optavia fueling

Nutritional info per serving (with salad), approximately:  353.67 calories ~ 14 grams fat ~ 19 grams carbs ~ 12.8 grams net carbs ~ 42 grams protein

Note: I really enjoyed this meal and so did my carb eating husband❣