Baked pasta with cauliflower is a rich and enveloping vegetarian main course, perfect for the winter season and to bring a warm and comforting dish to the table. It is a rustic and tasty recipe that combines the delicacy of cauliflower with the creaminess of béchamel, with the addition of melted provolone cheese and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs, which in the oven creates an irresistible gratin.
It’s the classic dish to prepare on cold days when you feel like turning on the oven and filling the house with fragrance. A simple recipe, without too many steps, ideal both for Sunday lunch and for a family dinner. If you love baked pasta and seasonal vegetables, this version with cauliflower will conquer you at the first taste.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Oven, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Winter
Ingredients
- 11.2 oz pasta
- 1 cauliflower (about 2 lbs)
- 3.5 oz provolone cheese
- 14.1 oz béchamel
- 1 clove garlic
- Grana Padano cheese, grated
- breadcrumbs
- herbs (to taste)
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Tools
- Baking dish
- Pot
- Colander
- Pan
Preparation
Clean the cauliflower by removing the outer leaves and the harder base, separate the florets, and wash them.
Boil them in lightly salted water for 8-10 minutes, then drain them.
Sauté a clove of garlic in a pan, with a drizzle of oil. Add the cauliflower and let it flavor for a few minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper (1).
Boil the pasta in salted boiling water and drain it very al dente. Pour it into the pan, add 2-3 tablespoons of béchamel and mix (2).
Transfer the pasta with the cauliflower into a baking dish, add the provolone, cut into small cubes, and the remaining béchamel.
Season to taste with herbs (oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary, or others), sprinkle the surface with grated Grana and breadcrumbs, finally drizzle with a little oil (3).
Place the baking dish in a fan oven at 375°F and bake for 15-20 minutes. If you want more crust, you can also turn on the grill.
Baked pasta with cauliflower is ready, tasty and cheesy, distribute it on plates and serve hot.
Tips and Notes
You can use either classic white cauliflower or colored ones, or broccoli if you prefer.
You can cook the florets either in water or steam, adjusting the times based on your taste, and their size.
You can use sweet provolone, smoked scamorza, or another semi-soft cheese from your area. I advise against mozzarella as it releases too much liquid during cooking.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I enrich the baked pasta?
You can add cubes of pancetta, speck, or cooked ham. Or you can flavor the cauliflower in the pan with 2-3 anchovy fillets.
Can I prepare the dish in advance?
Of course, you can prepare the pasta with the sauce and béchamel and place it in the baking dish, then bake it when needed.
