Mushroom Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta Bake Recipe
This Mushroom Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta Bake is a creamy, comforting dish combining a healthy cauliflower-based Alfredo sauce with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and tender penne pasta. Topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a perfect hearty meal that offers rich flavors with a nutritious twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
- 1 batch cauliflower alfredo sauce
Pasta Bake
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 16 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce: Make the cauliflower Alfredo sauce according to your chosen recipe’s instructions, ensuring it is smooth and creamy.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion, cooking for 10-15 minutes until the mushrooms release their liquid and both ingredients are tender and reduced.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large 13×9 inch baking dish, mix together the cooked penne, sautéed mushrooms and onions, freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and the prepared cauliflower Alfredo sauce.
- Season: Add 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste) and mix well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the top of the pasta mixture evenly with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the assembled pasta bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starts to turn golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve warm garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can prepare the cauliflower Alfredo sauce ahead of time to save on meal prep.
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated cheeses rather than pre-shredded varieties.
- Substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or ziti if preferred.
- Adding garlic during the mushroom and onion sauté can enhance flavor.
- To keep it vegetarian, ensure your parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with a vegan alternative.
Keywords: cauliflower alfredo, pasta bake, mushroom pasta, vegetarian pasta, baked penne, creamy pasta bake
