One benefit of making a lot of sauces/dressings/spreads is that you have endless combinations of things to add to your meals throughout the week.  The top shelf of my fridge is usually dominated by mason jars filled with random concoctions along with tried and true recipes.  I like coming up with fun ways to add flavor to my meal during the week.  By changing up the flavor, I can still make my staple foods taste new and interesting. 

That’s how I came up with this cauliflower rice recipe.  I’m still in love with cauliflower and cauliflower rice, so it makes an appearance in most meals.  Usually, I just saute some cauliflower rice with whatever seasonings compliment my meal and use that as my grain.  But I felt like getting a little fancy the other day.

We all need to be a little fancy now and then.

I had some leftover cheese sauce from making quesadillas the other day and fresh basil from another batch of pesto because there is ALWAYS pesto.  I combined the two and ended up with a creamy sauce that turned my cauliflower rice into something I could not stop eating.  It reminded me a little of my Slow Cooker Cauliflower Pesto Mac N’ Cheese and served as a great base for another recipe I’m giving you guys soon, Alfredo Mushrooms & Jackfruit.  So much yum.

If you want to change some things up with your meals this week, make a big batch of this cauliflower rice.  You won’t be disappointed.

Cheesy Basil Cauliflower Rice 

• 1 batch of my quesadilla cheese sauce
• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 package frozen or fresh cauliflower rice OR make your own (instructions in the first step)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• olive oil

1. Make the quesadilla cheese sauce.  Once everything is blended, add the fresh basil to the blender and blend until smooth.  Set aside.
2. Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.  Add the cauliflower rice and stir to coat with olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Keep sauteing until the rice starts to brown.
3. Turn the heat down to low and add half the basil cheese sauce.  Stirring constantly, keep cooking until the sauce starts to thicken.  Taste and see if you need more sauce, more salt or more pepper.

This makes a big batch so it could feed your whole family or save it for meals throughout the week.  It is great for pretty much any meal!