Ingredients
For the Cauliflower Patties:
- 3 cups cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets, 300g
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese very tightly packed, 1.5 ounces
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1 egg
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons fresh mozzarella di bufala (buffalo mozzarella)
- Fresh basil
- Zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place the cauliflower into a large food processor and process until broken down and “rice-like.” Transfer to a large, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir, and then microwave an additional 2 minutes.
- While the cauliflower cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided, oven-safe pan with a lid over medium/high heat. Add in the turkey, onion, and garlic. Break the turkey up as you sauté until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and a pinch of pepper into the pan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken and reduce, about 10 minutes.
- While the sauce reduces, add the mozzarella cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and a pinch of pepper into the cooked cauliflower rice. Stir well. Add the egg, lightly whisking it with a fork and then stirring until evenly combined into the cauliflower. The mixture should be quite wet.
- Once the sauce is ready, form the cauliflower into 8 small patties and place them inside the pan, gently pressing them down into the sauce. Be careful not to break them!
- Cover the pan and place into the oven until the cauliflower patties feel firm and set, about 30-35 minutes.
- Divide the fresh mozzarella di bufala evenly between each cauliflower patty, cover, and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
- Place a leaf of fresh basil on each cauliflower patty. Then serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
