Home

Baked Trofie with Squid and Cauliflower

17/11/2023

The recipe for Baked Trofie with Squid and Cauliflower is a dish that combines the tradition of baked pasta with the flavors of the sea and vegetables in an original and tasty way. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of trofie (or another type of short pasta)
  • 300 g of clean squid, cut into rings
  • 1 medium-sized cauliflower
  • 250 g of tomato sauce
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 chili pepper (optional)
  • 100 g of buffalo mozzarella (or other stretchy cheese)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the cauliflower, breaking it into florets and washing them well. Boil the cauliflower florets in salted boiling water for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender but still crunchy. Drain and set aside.

  2. In a large pan, heat some oil with a clove of garlic and the chopped chili pepper. Add the squid and sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper to taste and cook for about 10 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, cook the trofie in plenty of salted water following the cooking times on the package to get an al dente texture. Drain them and keep some of the cooking water.

  4. Mix the trofie with the squid sauce and a little of the cooking water to make it creamier. Add the boiled cauliflower and mix gently.

  5. Take a baking dish, grease it lightly with oil and transfer the mixture of trofie, squid, and cauliflower. Distribute pieces of buffalo mozzarella (or the stretchy cheese of your choice) and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs on the surface.

  6. Bake everything in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 15-20 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.

  7. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Curiosity

Trofie is a type of pasta that is typically Ligurian, usually served with pesto. In this baked variant, they find a new taste identity, enriched by the flavors of the sea and the earth. This dish is perfect for those who want to experiment with a culinary meeting between baked pasta, a quintessentially homey dish, and the typical ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.