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Pasta al forno cavolfiore e salsiccia

17/11/2023

Baked pasta with cauliflower and sausage is a rich and flavorful dish, perfect for colder days or a hearty meal with friends. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 350 g of short pasta (macaroni, rigatoni, penne)
  • 1 medium cauliflower
  • 300 g of sausage
  • 200 g of mozzarella (or sweet provolone)
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 400 ml of béchamel sauce
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Nutmeg

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the cauliflower, break it into florets and rinse under running water. Then, boil the florets in salted water for about 5-7 minutes or until slightly tender. Drain and set aside.

  2. In a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of oil with a peeled garlic clove. Once the garlic is golden, add the sausage meat removed from its casing and crumbled with a fork. Let it cook until well browned, then remove the garlic and set aside.

  3. Prepare a thick béchamel sauce by warming the milk in a pot and adding sifted flour a little at a time, stirring to prevent lumps. Season with salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg.

  4. Cut the mozzarella into cubes and grate the Parmesan cheese. Pre-heat the oven to 200 °C.

  5. Boil the pasta in salted boiling water for about half the time indicated on the package; it should be very al dente.

  6. Drain the pasta and mix it in a large bowl with the cauliflower, sausage, mozzarella, béchamel sauce, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and if necessary adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

  7. Oil a baking dish, pour the pasta mixture in, and level it out. Sprinkle with the remaining grated Parmesan cheese.

  8. Bake the pasta with cauliflower and sausage for about 20-30 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and crispy.

  9. Remove the baked pasta from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Baked pasta is a classic of Italian home cooking, often prepared for special occasions or on Sundays. It is an extremely versatile dish that allows for varying the ingredients according to personal tastes and the seasons. For instance, you could add chard or spinach for an extra touch of green, or cherry tomatoes for a hint of acidity.