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Ground Turkey Buffalo Cauliflower Bake - A Spicy, Comforting Weeknight Dinner

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 6 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for the cauliflower)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean works well)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce (use your favorite brand; adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (mild melt and stretch)
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (adds bite)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, if you like it extra garlicky)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for topping
  • Crumbled blue cheese (optional, for serving)
  • Ranch or extra buffalo sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Method
 

  1. Prep and preheat. Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Roast the cauliflower. Toss florets with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 18–22 minutes, until just tender with a little color. Keep the oven on.
  3. Cook the turkey. While the cauliflower roasts, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder if using. Cook until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
  4. Add aromatics. Stir in the onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Make the buffalo cream. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until melted and creamy. Whisk in buffalo sauce and Greek yogurt until smooth. Taste and adjust salt or heat level as needed.
  6. Combine with cauliflower. Transfer roasted cauliflower to the skillet and gently fold to coat everything in the sauce. If your skillet isn’t large, mix in a bowl.
  7. Assemble the bake. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top.
  8. Bake until bubbly. Bake 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden around the edges.
  9. Finish and serve. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with sliced green onions. Add crumbled blue cheese and a drizzle of ranch or extra buffalo sauce if you like. Serve warm.