Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza with White Sauce, Chicken, Mushrooms, Spinach & Olives
This Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza is a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional pizza, topped with creamy white sauce, tender chicken, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and briny olives. It’s crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and packed with savory flavor in every bite.
Perfect for gluten-free eating, lighter dinners, or when you want pizza without the heavy dough, this recipe transforms simple cauliflower into a satisfying crust that holds all your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza
- 100% gluten-free
- Low-carb cauliflower crust
- Creamy garlic white sauce
- High-protein topping with chicken
- Loaded with vegetables
- Crispy, cheesy, and satisfying
- Restaurant-style flavor at home
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Yield
- 1 large pizza (8 slices)
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower Crust
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 4 cups riced)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the White Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Toppings
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing mushrooms)
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet or pizza stone
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Skillet
- Cheesecloth or clean towel
- Food processor (optional)
- Oven
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower Crust
Preheat oven to:
425°F (220°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Rice the cauliflower using a food processor or grater until fine.
Microwave or steam for 5–6 minutes, then let it cool slightly.
Place cooked cauliflower in a clean towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
This step is essential for a crispy crust.
Step 2: Make the Crust Mixture
In a large bowl combine:
- Drained cauliflower
- Egg
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
Mix well until a dough-like texture forms.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Crust
Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in a round pizza shape (about ¼-inch thick).
Bake at:
425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes
until golden and firm.
For extra crispiness, flip carefully and bake an additional 5 minutes.
Step 4: Prepare the White Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Whisk in flour (or cornstarch) and cook for 1–2 minutes.
Slowly add milk while whisking continuously.
Simmer until thickened (about 3–5 minutes).
Stir in:
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
Remove from heat.
Step 5: Cook the Toppings
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté mushrooms for 5–6 minutes until browned.
Add spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
Step 6: Assemble the Pizza
Spread white sauce evenly over the baked cauliflower crust.
Top with:
- Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Olives
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over everything.
Step 7: Final Bake
Bake assembled pizza at:
425°F (220°C) for 10–12 minutes
until cheese is melted and bubbly.
For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes (watch carefully).
Step 8: Serve
Let pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm.
Tips for Best Results
Squeeze cauliflower very well
Moisture is the #1 reason crust becomes soft.
Pre-bake crust until golden
This ensures structure and crisp edges.
Don’t overload toppings
Too many toppings can make the crust soggy.
Use full-fat cheese
Helps bind and improves texture.
Variations
Keto Version
- Already keto-friendly as written
- Add extra cheese for higher fat
Dairy-Free Version
- Use dairy-free cheese and almond milk
- Replace butter with olive oil
Spicy Chicken Pizza
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to chicken
Vegetarian Version
- Skip chicken and add extra mushrooms, zucchini, or peppers
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to:
3 days
Freezer
Freeze slices for up to:
2 months
Reheat in oven for best texture.
Reheating Instructions
- Oven: 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes
- Air fryer: 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes
- Microwave (soft crust): 1–2 minutes
Nutritional Information
Per Slice (1/8 pizza)
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Calcium: 20% DV
Nutrition values are estimates and vary based on ingredients used.
