Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (2024)

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Happy Friday, everyone! With school either in full swing or about to start, who needs a 5-ingredient kid-friendly healthy recipe? This Dirty Cauliflower Rice (more on the name later!) is just that, and I’m not exaggerating when I say my kids love this meal!

What ingredients are in this Dirty Cauliflower Rice?

There are just 5 non-pantry ingredients in this Dirty Cauliflower Rice. I consider olive oil, salt, and pepper “pantry” ingredients that you should always have in your kitchen so I didn’t count them in the number of ingredients. I listed them here for you so that you know the full list of what you need!

  • Ground beef (bison, pork or turkey work fine too!)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Jarred tomato-based pasta sauce (look for a brand that has no added sugar – I like Rao’s or Monte Bene!)
  • Cauliflower (you can substitute purchased fresh cauliflower rice if you prefer!)
  • Olive oil
  • Coarse salt
  • Fresh parsley or chives (optional ingredients)

This recipe uses a partial jar of pasta sauce. It’s not meant to make this taste Italian in any way. I like how It adds a bit of flavor and prevents the dish from tasting dry. You can use any flavor of sauce you like, and the leftover jarred sauce can be used the next night for a quick pasta meal.

Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (2)

How did I name this Dirty Cauliflower Rice?

Okay, about the name. My high school English teacher gets the credit for the inspiration for this recipe because she used to make a dish called Dirty Rice. She would bring it to school potluck events for sports or other occasions (I grew up in a really small school, so everyone knew each other well). Anyway, she shared the recipe with me once (yes, I was a recipe junky from a very young age!), and I would make it from time to time. It, too, was about 5 ingredients (rice, ground beef, and some seasoning mixes), and it tasted really good.

With my Dirty Cauliflower Rice, I wanted to stay true to the speed and look of her original recipe, while healthifying it a bit by adding vegetables (the cauliflower) and eliminating the less-than-healthy seasoning mixes (swapping in chopped onion, garlic, and jarred pasta sauce in their place). This dish is not a thing of beauty, but given the name, I think you can see why. The rice, or in this case, “cauliflower rice”, is meant to look dirty, which the ground beef and pasta sauce take care of.

Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (3)

What else can I use cauliflower rice for?

I just LOVE all the things that you can do with cauliflower rice! It’s a great vehicle for a lot of different flavors and it can add a lot of nutrition to any meal!

Here are a few other recipes that I’ve created that use cauliflower rice:

Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (4)

For those weeknights when you have next to no time to cook because you’re running in multiple directions, make this 5-ingredient kid-friendly healthy recipe.

Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe

Make this easy, gluten free and dairy free Dirty Cauliflower Rice next time you are looking for a 5-ingredient kid-friendly healthy recipe.

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Keyword: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Quick and Easy, Whole 30

Servings: 4

Author: Laura Marzen

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, ground bison, ground turkey, or ground pork
  • ¾ cup onion
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup jarred tomato-based pasta sauce (any flavor, preferably with no-added-sugar)
  • 4 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt
  • Chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender, using a potato masher to coarsely break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat if necessary. Add pasta sauce. Stir until well combined. Transfer meat mixture to a medium bowl; set aside.

  • While meat is cooking, place cauliflower florets in a food processor. Cover and pulse until finely chopped (cauliflower should resemble rice).

  • In the same skillet used to cook the meat mixture, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped cauliflower; sprinkle with salt. Cook, uncovered, for 4 to 5 minutes or until cauliflower is just tender, stirring occasionally.

  • Add meat mixture to cauliflower rice. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until well combined and heated through. If desired, sprinkle with parsley or chives to serve.

Notes

I consider olive oil and salt pantry ingredients and don’t count them in the number of ingredients for this recipe. As for the parsley, I couldn’t resist adding a bit of color for the photo, and you can do the same if you choose. I didn’t count the parsley as an ingredient because you can leave it off and the flavor is still great.

Tip: Use this recipe as a jumping off point and make any changes you like to make it your own! Like spicy food? Add 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or sprinkle with ground black pepper at the end. Want more fresh herb flavor? Use a mixture of parsley, chives, and fresh basil on top instead of just 1 herb. Want it more saucy? Add more pasta sauce. I think you get the idea!

Yield: 4 servings (about 1 ¼ cups per serving)

Nutrition Info (per serving): 312 cals, 26 g pro, 12 g carb, 18 g fat, 72 mg cholesterol, 5 g sat fat, 3 g fiber, 555 mg sodium

Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (6)
  1. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (7)

    Candra on February 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    Darn! I saw this recipe and thought it looked great! I was looking for something low-carb that used ground beef. Unfortunately I am allergic to tomatoes. I may still make it for the others and just leave out a bit with no sauce for me. Maybe a red pepper sauce would work?

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (8)

      Laura on February 24, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Hi Candra, thanks for your comment! I think a red pepper sauce would taste great here, or, mix basil pesto with a little chicken broth or water and add that in place of the pasta sauce. I’m thinking 1/3 to 1/2 cup pesto mixed with 2 or 3 tablespoons broth or water would be great. Good luck and I hope you love it!

      Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (9)

      Annie on May 22, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      Me too! I am trying out the chicken broth instead! Maybe another time balsamic vinegar.

      Reply

      • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (10)

        Laura on May 23, 2017 at 9:50 am

        I hope you like it Annie! You may want to cook it down a bit after adding the broth since that could make it a bit more watery. It will add good flavor though! I would probably add a little balsamic vinegar at the very end in addition to using the broth – it would add a nice zip of flavor! Just a thought…

        Reply

  2. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (11)

    Shaylei on March 6, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    Made this tonight and my five year old ate it! Thank you so much for an actual healthy recipe!

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (12)

      Laura on March 7, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Thanks Shaylei. I appreciate you letting me know your 5-year-old liked it! Happy healthy cooking!

      Reply

  3. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (13)

    Leighann on September 1, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    If I just use pre-riced cauliflower, how much should I use?

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (14)

      Laura on September 18, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Use 4 cups of the pre-riced cauliflower. Hope you like it!

      Reply

  4. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (15)

    Stephanie Mynen on October 17, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    I just don’t know what I would serve this alongside? Sounds good, but can’t be enough for just a meal.
    Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (16)

      Laura on October 19, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Thanks for the comment, Stephanie! I like to serve this with a simple side salad and some fruit at the end of the meal! I hope you like it!

      Reply

  5. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (17)

    Stephanie on February 5, 2018 at 10:18 am

    I calculated 9 smartpoints on the WW calculator. I am on Freestyle and maybe that is fewer points.

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (18)

      Laura on February 7, 2018 at 10:01 am

      Thanks for sharing! I not familiar enough with the WW points to know exactly how many points it would be for the different programs.

      Reply

  6. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (19)

    Dale Stringham on July 18, 2018 at 8:22 pm

    We made this but added 2 seeded, diced jalapenos. Gave it a little kick!

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (20)

      Laura on September 6, 2018 at 11:43 am

      That sounds fantastic, Dale! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  7. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (21)

    Kelsey on October 17, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    What sauce did you use?

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (22)

      Laura on October 21, 2018 at 12:04 pm

      I like Rao’s Marinara Sauce. I get it at Whole Foods in my area. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  8. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (23)

    Trisha on November 18, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    I love this recipe. I make weekly for my work lunches. Easy and healthy! Thank you

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (24)

      Laura on November 18, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      Thank you so much for letting me know, Trisha! I’m glad to hear you like it! I forgot to mention that you should try this Mexican Dirty Cauliflower Rice recipe – it’s similar to the original Dirty Cauliflower Rice but has Mexican flavors – you might like to alternate it into your meal prep!

      Reply

  9. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (25)

    Trang on November 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    Just made this for my picky son and he loved it!

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (26)

      Laura on November 21, 2018 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks so much for letting me know! I am glad your son loved this! Check out this Mexican Dirty Cauliflower Rice for another option similar to this recipe – it’s a bit like a burrito bowl!

      Reply

  10. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (27)

    Christy Smith on December 30, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    This was very good! I’m on a low carb diet and this is my first successful attempt at a family meal with my two small children where they liked it! I used frozen riced cauliflower instead of fresh. It was very good and filling.

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (28)

      Laura on January 3, 2019 at 9:36 am

      Thanks for letting me know you and your kids liked this, Christy! You might also like this recipe, which is similar but uses Mexican flavors. Mexican Dirty Cauliflower Rice

      Reply

  11. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (29)

    MoodyMoody on August 4, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    I am looking forward to trying this. When I made conventional dirty rice, I used fresh breakfast sausage instead of the ground beef, so I’ll probably make that change with this as well.

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (30)

      Laura on August 7, 2019 at 8:07 am

      That sounds like a tasty swap, Sheryl! Let me know how you like it once you try it!

      Reply

  12. Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (31)

    Funy on October 12, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    Super yum! Added celery, mushrooms, about a cup of leftover quinoa, salt, pepper, & a few other spices. Very customizable, fast, & easy to make! Pinning!

    Reply

    • Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (32)

      Laura Marzen, RD on October 14, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Thanks for your comment and for sharing what additions you made to the recipe! I especially love the addition of quinoa and mushrooms! Yum! Happy cooking!

      Reply

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Dirty Cauliflower Rice: 5-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is cauliflower good for kids? ›

For starters, 1/2 cup of cauliflower has over 1/3 of your child's daily vitamin C requirements. Vitamin C is essential for the immune system, strong bones, healthy blood vessels, hormones, amino acid (protein) break down and iron absorption.

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Cauliflower has always been considered a healthy vegetable with a significant amount of nutrients. It also contains plant compounds that help reduce the risk of some diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Recently, it has been used as a substitute for white rice as a way to cut back on carbs.

What is the difference between cauliflower rice and riced cauliflower? ›

As far as we can tell, it's the same thing, just a different name. The term “cauliflower rice” didn't become an internet sensation until around 2012. But ever since then, this nutrient-rich rice substitute has been booming in popularity!

How healthy is frozen cauliflower rice? ›

Low-carb: Frozen cauliflower rice is an ideal choice if you're looking for a low-carb or keto alternative to rice. It's lower in calories and carbohydrates than rice and packed with vitamins and minerals.

Is it safe to eat cauliflower every day? ›

Andrews says the biggest pitfall with cauliflower is the possibility of digestive discomfort like bloating, gas or cramping, especially if you are sensitive to other cruciferous vegetables. Cauliflower can also cause issues in people with an allergy to cruciferous vegetables or those vulnerable to kidney stones.

How do I get my child to eat broccoli and cauliflower? ›

Simply Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower: Toss broccoli and cauliflower with garlic, salt, pepper, a bit of oil and a squeeze of lemon, and roast at 400 degrees F in a single layer until tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Is cauliflower rice good for losing weight? ›

Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

Is cauliflower rice good for belly fat? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

Which is better broccoli or cauliflower rice? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

Which is healthier, quinoa or cauliflower rice? ›

Brown rice actually has more selenium (good for heart health) and vitamin B3 (needed for the production of sex and stress hormones) than quinoa, but quinoa is still the healthier choice. Cauliflower rice is a grain-free, gluten-free and nutrient-dense way to replace the white rice on your plate.

What is a good substitute for cauliflower rice? ›

Cauliflower Rice

You can also try cabbage rice, broccoli rice, and zucchini rice to similar effect. Look for these veggies already “riced” in the produce section or easily dice them into rice-sized bits yourself with a food processor.

What rice has no carbs? ›

It's Skinny rice is also known as shirataki rice. Like It's Skinny pasta, It's Skinny rice has ZERO carbs in a 1 cup serving and only 9 calories in the entire two-serving bag! That's right!

Why is my frozen cauliflower rice soggy? ›

How do I stop my frozen cauliflower rice from being soggy? Transfer the cauliflower rice straight from the freezer to the skillet, and don't let it thaw first. Be sure to cook in your skillet until the water evaporates. If you have water still in your skillet this will make it mushy.

Is frozen or fresh cauliflower rice better? ›

An alternative to traditional rice grains, you can either make your own from scratch or pick up a bag from the grocery store. However, there's a decision to make: fresh or frozen. Although your first instinct may be to reach for a package of fresh cauliflower, frozen is actually the better option.

Why do people eat cauliflower rice? ›

Riced cauliflower is a great alternative to starchy sides like rice, bread or pasta that we traditionally build our meals around. It's ideal for anyone on a low carb, Keto or Paleo diet – or simply those who want to add more veg to their meals.

Why is cauliflower good for toddlers? ›

Cauliflower is rich in vitamins C, K, and B6. It also contains good amounts of fiber, folate, and choline. Choline is an essential nutrient that many people don't get enough of. It supports brain development, which occurs at an astounding pace during childhood.

What vegetables should kids eat? ›

Some child-friendly options may include:
  • Cooked carrots.
  • Cooked green beans.
  • Broccoli.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Squash.
  • Sweet potatoes.
  • Cucumbers.
Apr 12, 2023

What's better, cauliflower or broccoli? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

What veggies are safe for kids? ›

Start with recognizable vegetables for kids like carrots, celery and peas. Then, continue to think outside the box with a few new vegetables like jicama and zucchini. Making these vegetables kid-friendly also takes a bit of imagination, so incorporate them into sauces, soups and smoothies.

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