Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower Recipe

cauliflower baked ziti in a white oval baking dish

4.12 from 9 votes

Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower Recipe

Tender cauliflower florets melt into a rich sauce in this Vegetarian Baked Ziti with a hidden vegetable boost. It makes a cheesy meatless baked pasta that you can assemble up to a day ahead and bake whenever you’re ready.

Prep Time40

Cook Time10

Total Time50

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: baked pasta, family friendly, kid-friendly recipe, make ahead baked pasta, vegetarian casserole, vegetarian meal

Servings:

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $8.00

Equipment

9x13 Baking Dish
Stockpot
Saucepan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil (or chopped fresh basil)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
3 15-ounce cans crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 pound dried pasta, like ziti, rigatoni, or penne
16 ounces frozen cauliflower florets
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded
1/2 + 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450°F / 232°C. Rub a 9x13 baking dish with oil or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Place a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and then the garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Stir in tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a simmer. Put the lid on but leave it slightly ajar (this will help prevent sauce splatters to cause a mess on your counter). Simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 15 to 20 minutes.
While sauce simmers, boil the pasta according to package directions. In the last minute of cooking, add cauliflower florets. Drain pasta and cauliflower.
Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese.
Stir 3 cups sauce and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese into pasta and cauliflower.
Pour 3/4 cup sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the the mozzarella. Add the pasta and cauliflower over top.
Top the pasta with any remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
Transfer the dish the oven and bake until bubbly and melted, about 10 minutes.
Turn on the oven’s broiler and broil until the top is golden, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Notes

Make ahead - The pasta can be assembled up to a day ahead of time. Let it come to room temperature before baking according to recipe (it may take a few minutes longer to warm through).

Nutrition