Baked Ziti with Cauliflower
I think cauliflower falls under that category of (somewhat) shunned vegetables in the produce section. You know the ones like eggplant, brussels sprouts, parsnips. They just sit there all sad looking while they get passed by for the broccoli or carrots. Tsk Tsk. It’s really a shame. I think if everyone who thought they didn’t like cauliflower had a taste of this they’d change their tune and become a new found cauliflower advocate cheerleader like me.
Maybe next time I’m in the market (which is pretty much Every. Single. Day.) I’ll stand in the produce section telling people they should give it a go. Pass out recipe cards. Toss a head of cauliflower into their baskets while they weren’t looking. Everybody is always in a rush you think they’d even notice?
That wouldn’t get me kicked out of the store would it?
This baked pasta dish is perfect for busy nights. Hello meatless Monday! It takes about 30 minutes top to bottom if you multi-task. Two pots/dishes are all you need. Y’all know how much I hate dishes so that makes me a very happy camper. Start by browning the cauliflower pieces (or white trees as my kids have called them since they were little, whatever gets them to eat them I’m okay with).
I could just pop the entire pan of those beauties into my mouth, they’re that good before they even mix and mingle with the rest of our ingredients, but I resist (well after I’ve snagged a few) .
From there we bring the rest of the ingredients to the party. We brighten up that comforting cauliflower with a little lemon zest and give it a swift kick in the pants with a pinch of chili flakes and then finally a little woodsy sage are thrown in for good measure.
We could stop right there and that would make a perfect side dish Just. Like. That. But we’re not making a side dish today, we’re working on a casserole, so into the mix goes our perfectly cooked al dente pasta and you know what comes next, it’s a casserole after all – CHEESE. Lots of cheese please.
2o minutes later you’re diggin’ in.
Baci!
Adapted from NY Times
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:384]
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Pasta and cauliflower both groove with cheese. I never thought to put the two together. Champion idea!
foodwanderings says
This screams comfort food and the cauliflower with the ziti sounds lie heaven.
Angie says
I could use a big bowl of this right now, yummy!
Nikki @ NikSnacks says
I really like your idea of standing in the grocery, handing out recipe cards! That actually sounds like something I’d do for real!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
I’m a lover of cauliflower, baked, roasted, pureed, you name it! My kids, not so much but I can hide it successfully. 🙂
Liz says
After 20+ years of marriage, I finally converted the hubby to a cauliflower fan. LOVE the idea of adding pasta, cheese and SAGE! to make it a meal 🙂
Meredith In Sock Monkey Slippers says
Need this tonight!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
Love the healthier twist on a classic dish!
Bea says
Yes, sad cauliflower; I caught myself the other day wanting to grab broccoli but felt sorry for poor litte cauliflower and grabed one instead. It was delicious and am now too a cheerleader for cauliflower.
Love your recipe and idea of adding it to pasta. Delicious!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I think cauliflower is making a much needed comeback actually with things like cauliflower mashed potatoes and cauliflower pizza crusts. I for one am happy to see it. It has always been one of my favorites and now I love that you paired it up with ziti and sage. This sounds very delicious indeed.
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
I am loving cauliflower more than ever lately. I agree that in pasta would be great!
Heather // girlichef says
I feel the same way. Cauliflower really is underrated – my favorite thing to do is roast it, it brings out such great flavor. This dish sounds beyond amazing, too!
claire @the realistic nutritionist says
What a fabulous rendition of a normally heavy food!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
We throw all kinds of things onto pasta but have not tried cauliflower yet! Now I need to do it!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I’m one of those people who don’t like cauliflower but I’m thinking with all the cheese, I could possibly like this. 😉
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Scrumptious!! I agree, cauliflower gets overlooked – not sure why, I love the flavor and it’s so versatile!! 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
I LOVE cauliflower but my husband is definitely on the fence about his love. I’m always trying to sway him. This pasta dish just might do that!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Dude.I would totally stand in the grocery store and hand out cauliflower recipe cards with you. Cauliflower is too versatile to be relegated to veggie trays. Loving the looks of this pasta!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I actually like cauliflower, but I only ever eat it when it’s raw haha. I have to admit that I’ve never cooked with it! I’ll give it a try!
Tuscookany says
Great food blog! We have cooking schools in Tuscany and we invite food bloggers to place posts on our http://www.tuscookany.com/blog/ page.
Salute e Buon Appetito The Tuscookany Team !