This keto pepperoni pizza cauliflower casserole is one of those recipes that sounds questionable on paper – but completely wins people over once they try it.
It’s cheesy, filling, and surprisingly comforting, even for people who swear they don’t like cauliflower. Seriously – just read the comments below and see for yourself. It’s also easy and economical, making it the perfect low carb dinner or side dish.
If you’ve ever made my “better than potatoes” cheesy cauliflower mash and thought, YES, then you already understand the appeal here. This recipe starts with a creamy cauliflower base and leans into that comfort-food territory, then adds pepperoni and mozzarella for a very pizza-adjacent situation.
The pepperoni is what makes it work. It adds a salty, slightly tangy bite that cuts through the richness and keeps the whole thing from tasting flat. Once everything is blended, spread into a casserole dish, and baked with more mozzarella and pepperoni on top, it stops feeling like a “cauliflower recipe” and starts feeling like something you actually want to eat.
This is also one of those dishes that tends to win over cauliflower skeptics — including kids (and my husband) who normally won’t touch the stuff. It’s creamy, cheesy, and familiar enough that the vegetable part fades into the background. If you want to push it further into pizza territory, you can add a thin layer of pizza sauce under the cheese, but it’s optional. It holds up just fine without it, and I prefer it that way to be honest.
This recipe reheats well, makes great leftovers, and works as either a main dish or a side, depending on how you use it.
If you’re looking for a keto cauliflower casserole that doesn’t feel like compromise and dieting sadness – this is the one. Pinky promise.
Cauliflower Casserole Tips & FAQ
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes. Frozen cauliflower works just fine here — just make sure it’s fully cooked and very well drained before blending. Excess water will make the casserole looser than intended.
Does this really taste like pizza?
It’s not pretending to be a slice of New York pizza — but the pepperoni and mozzarella give it a familiar, pizza-adjacent flavor that most people find very satisfying. If you want to lean harder into that flavor, you can add a thin layer of low carb pizza sauce under the cheese.
What if I don’t like pepperoni?
You can reduce the amount or swap it for cooked sausage, bacon, or even chopped ham. That said, the pepperoni adds a salty, slightly tangy note that balances the richness, so the flavor will change if you remove it completely.
How do I keep the casserole from being watery?
The key is moisture control. Drain the cauliflower thoroughly after cooking, and don’t skip blending it while it’s still warm — that helps excess steam escape before baking.
Is this a main dish or a side?
It can be either. Served on its own, it works as a simple keto meal. Paired with protein (like chicken or meatballs), it makes a great low carb side dish.
Does it reheat well?
Yes — this casserole reheats very well and often tastes even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
More Keto Cauliflower Casserole Recipes
Cheesy Green Chicken Enchilada Cauliflower Casserole
Jalapeno Popper Cauliflower Casserole
Keto Chicken Pesto Cauliflower Casserole
75 Best Keto Cauliflower Casseroles
Keto Pepperoni Pizza Cauliflower Casserole
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
This keto pepperoni pizza cauliflower casserole is creamy, cheesy, and surprisingly satisfying — even for people who claim they don’t like cauliflower. A smooth cauliflower base is blended with cheese and pepperoni, then baked with mozzarella and more pepperoni on top for an easy low carb dish that works as a main or a side. It reheats well and is great for meal prep. Low carb, gluten free, nut free, egg free.
Ingredients
For the Puree
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Casserole
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
For the Puree
- Clean and trim the cauliflower, breaking it into medium sized pieces.
- Place in a microwave safe bowl with cream and butter.
- Microwave, uncovered, on high for 10 minutes.
- Stir to coat cauliflower with cream/butter mixture.
- Microwave for another six minutes on high (or until tender.)
- Remove from the microwave and put into a high speed blender or food processor along with the 8 slices of pepperoni and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Puree until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- You can adjust the cream and butter to your preference for consistency.
For the Casserole
- Spread the cauliflower puree into an 8 x 8 oven proof casserole dish.
- Cover with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and layer with pepperoni.
- Bake at 375 degrees (F) for about 20 minutes.
- Alternatively you could microwave this for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Category: keto main dish
- Method: microwave
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 207
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 5g net
- Protein: 10g
Mellissa Sevigny says
If made as written, the consistency would be much thicker I’m sure.
Angelle says
I have a bag of cauliflower crumbles. Any idea how many cups of crumbles I should use for this recipe? Thanks!
Sunrise says
Absolutely delicious!! Thank you for sharing this incredible recipe!!
Amalia says
Great idea from usual mashed cauliflower. Have made this a few time as a side and it is great, may also put some leftover sauce on top next time. Thanks!
Kiy says
How does this make 4 servings? I made it for dinner and it made a bowl. so disappointed! especially since a medium sized head of califlower was 4.99 at the store.. highly disappointed.
Cath says
So you ate an entire medium sized head of cauliflower as one serving?
Kathleen says
Oh My!!!!! I just discovered your site and all these recipes and I am going insane with excitement! We are getting back to our low carb/no carb high protein eating plan and what a Real Find this and “YOU” are!!!!!!
Will make this recipe this weekend and we are going to follow your 12 week plan FOR SURE!. Both my husband and I lost alot of weight doing this kind of healthy eating and then slowly let old habits take over and gained weight. Now it is just terrible hard to get back on track and all of this has just really given me a jump start to get us back on the track! Thanks for all your time and effort and I’m already so grateful!! I too wish you would make hardcover books as not easy with the downloads! Bless you and yours for a great New Years!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Welcome Kathleen! Keep me posted on your progress with the plans!
Ashley says
I made this for the first time this past Friday and I have now made it 2 more times since then. Gonna have to start doubling the recipe. Or not because then I will probably still eat the whole thing lol Thanks so much!
Mellissa Sevigny says
It’s been awhile since I’ve made this Ashley but your comment reminded me that IT’S TIME. Putting pepperoni on my shopping list! Thanks!
Linnea says
Thank you for helping me! After searching and searching for just the right recipe I’ve decided this would be my first gluten free meal-making recipe ever, as I’m trying it for “Take them a Meal” for a friend. Can I freeze this ahead of time? Does it change baking instructions? And are most sauces gluten free?
Andrea says
I have had this pinned for FOREVER and finally got to make it tonight while the rest of the family had regular take out pizza…they all wanted mine!!! I did change things up a bit adding garlic, oregano, basil and an Italian spice blend to the cauliflower mixture and also made sauce out of tomato paste with spices in it. All I can say is it was HEAVEN!
Every time I make one of your recipes or read your posts I am transported to the scene from Notting Hill when Julia Roberts is brought to Hugh Grants birthday dinner and the kid sister fawns all over her telling her that she feels that they could be best friends…yes, I’m the kid sister lol
Thanks for all you share and give!
Virginia says
This sounds like a great recipe. In fact, I am making it for dinner. I will however, steam the cauliflower on the stove. Microwaving can rob you of up to 95% of the nutrients in your food.