Charred Broccoli Hot Honey Pizza on Cauliflower Crust

Updated Jan 1, 2024

Before we begin, I would like to make a statement about cauliflower pizza crust. *Puts on glasses and pulls out clipboard*

I genuinely enjoy cauliflower as a vegetable. It's a great blank canvas, and can be a great addition when you want extra veggie power! I present as evidence: a good roasted cauliflower or mash can hold its own as a delicious side dish. Frozen cauliflower rice is a shockingly delicious addition to some smoothies. Also, have you ever had buffalo cauliflower? 10/10.

However, I do think there are some things about cauliflower that are worth unpacking. In my years-long quest to improve my relationship with food, one of the most important lessons I have been taught is that all food is morally neutral - and that includes cauliflower. Diet culture would tell you that pizza crust (or any food) made out of cauliflower is inherently “better,” or otherwise morally superior. Food freedom would call BS, and remind you that you’re allowed to choose whichever option makes you feel good and brings you joy.

While I’d be lying if I said I prefer cauliflower crust to regular pizza crust, I do enjoy a cauli crust from time to time. I think they can be delicious if prepared properly, and they’re SO convenient - perfect for a satisfying 30-minute meal after a long day of rehearsing or teaching. Plus, if you can’t eat gluten, they can be a really good alternative! That said, if you're not a cauli crust person, I give you full permission to use your favorite dough, flatbread, or frozen crust.

This pizza is special to me, because it's inspired by a pie that I ate frequently when I used to live in uptown Manhattan, right after graduating from Juilliard. A neighborhood spot called The Uptown Garrison makes this incredible pizza with wood roasted broccoli, garlic, mozzarella, caciocavallo, parm, chili, and lemon. It is stupid good, and when I tell you that this pizza got me through EVERYTHING, I am not exaggerating. Exhausting day? Broccoli pizza. Existential career crisis? Broccoli pizza. Boy problems? Broccoli pizza. If someone made an indie rom-com about my life at age 25, it would probably be called “Broccoli Pizza.”

My version of this pizza, which I've been making for years now, is a bit simpler to make at home but tastes shockingly like the one that defined my mid 20’s. I often put it on a Trader Joe's Cauliflower Crust, which if you follow the package directions, comes out with a great texture. Plus, it's basically a billboard ad for brassicas, and they get *all* the right treatments here. Here's how to make this pizza!

Charred Broccoli Hot Honey Pizza on Cauliflower Crust

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Yield: 1 pizza

Author: Sarah Kenner

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 30 Min

A spin on one of my favorite pizzas with charred, garlicky broccolini and a drizzle of hot honey. Not a fan of cauli crust? Use your favorite crust or dough instead!

Ingredients

• 1 frozen cauliflower crust (or pizza crust/dough of your choice*)
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 8 oz. broccolini (or regular broccoli)
• 3 cloves garlic
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 Tbs. hot honey
• 1 Tbs. grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven according to package directions. Be sure to double check if your crust needs to be kept frozen!
2. While the oven preheats, remove the stems from your broccolini, saving the tender florets. Thinly slice your 3 cloves of garlic.
3. If your crust needs to be pre-baked before adding toppings, pop it in the oven now and set a timer. If not, skip to the next step to start prepping your toppings.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbs. of olive oil to the pan followed by your broccolini florets. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook until the broccolini is tender and charred. Then, lower the heat and add the thinly sliced garlic. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes.
5. Remove your crust from the oven if and when necessary, and drizzle the top with the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Top the pizza with mozzarella cheese and the broccoli mixture in alternating layers.
6. Set your oven to broil and cook the pizza until the top is bubbly and browned to your liking. This should take about 5 minutes, maybe less - be sure to keep an eye on it.
7. Remove from the oven and serve immediately topped with a drizzle of hot honey** and grated Parmigiano.

Notes & Substitutions

*You can use any crust you like for this recipe, including raw dough. Make sure to adapt the recipe according to your crust’s directions. If using raw dough, set your oven to preheat according to package directions, cook the prepared toppings on the raw dough, and then broil to finish.

** Don’t have or can’t find hot honey? Mix 2 Tbs. honey with some chili flakes, or with 1/2 Tbs. of chili paste or harissa. 

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pizza, gluten free, vegetarian/vegan

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