Cauliflower Alfredo Baked Ziti
A cozy, creamy, comfort food alert. Cauliflower works very well in this one and is easy using cauliflower and seasonings, and it is always so comforting and delicious. You’ll never believe it’s dairy, gluten-free, and low fat.
Servings 6
Ingredients
- olive oil spray or vegan cooking spray (soy-free if necessary)
- 1 large (1½-2lb) head cauliflower (broken into florets)
- 3 cup (720ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 lb (455g) ziti or penne pasta (gluten-free if necessary)
- 1 cup (150g) raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 30 minutes and drained, water discarded
- 2 cup (480ml) unsweetened nondairy milk (soy-free if necessary)
- ¼ cup (20g) nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegan white wine
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp white soy miso (or chickpea miso)
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch(23×33cm) baking dish with olive oil. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Combine the cauliflower and broth in a medium pot, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover again, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is soft. Remove from the heat.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain. Set aside in a large bowl.
- While the pasta is cooking, use a slotted spoon to scoop the cauliflower into a blender. (You can save the broth for another use.) Add the cashews, milk, nutritional yeast, wine, oil, lemon juice, miso, onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Add the sauce to the pasta. Stir until combined, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the Pepita Parmesan over the top and bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Variation To add some flavor or texture, try adding sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, steamed broccoli, or cooked greens.
