Cheesy Cauliflower Baked Pasta with Ham and Broccoli
Indulge in this deliciously creamy baked pasta dish that combines the unique flavors of smoked ham and fresh broccoli, all enveloped in a velvety cauliflower cheese sauce. Not only does this recipe pack a nutritional punch with its hidden veggies, but it's also an irresistible comfort food that can be enjoyed at any meal—be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The added crunch of toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs on top gives it a delightful finish that is sure to please the entire family. Perfect for meal prep or a cozy weeknight dinner!
8
Servings
400
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon (for cooking)
cauliflower
1 small head (cored and chopped (about 3 cups))
garlic cloves
6 (roughly chopped)
shallots
4 medium (roughly chopped)
coarse salt
to taste
ground black pepper
to taste
all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons
skim milk
4 cups
freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
pecorino cheese
6 ounces (grated (about 2 cups))
medium multigrain pasta shells
1/2 lb
sliced smoked ham
1/4 lb (chopped)
broccoli
1 medium bunch (trimmed and cut into florets (about 5 cups))
toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (for serving (optional))
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Sauté until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly.
3
Carefully pour in the skim milk while gradually stirring, and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and let it gently simmer until the cauliflower is very soft, approximately 15 minutes.
4
After simmering, remove from heat and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer it to a blender, adding the freshly grated nutmeg and half of the grated pecorino cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
5
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
6
Add the chopped ham, broccoli florets, and the creamy cauliflower sauce to the pot with the pasta. Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 3 1/2-quart ovenproof baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining pecorino cheese over the top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the center is bubbling.
9
For a golden-brown topping, switch on the broiler and broil the dish for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
10
Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Divide into individual dishes and top with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
46g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Cauliflower Baked Pasta with Ham and Broccoli?
It is a creamy baked pasta dish that uses a velvety cauliflower cheese sauce combined with smoked ham, fresh broccoli, and multigrain pasta shells.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
Each serving contains 400 calories.
What type of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of medium multigrain pasta shells.
What is the oven temperature for baking the pasta?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What kind of ham should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/4 lb of sliced smoked ham, chopped.
What kind of cheese is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 6 ounces of grated pecorino cheese.
How do I make the cauliflower sauce?
Sauté cauliflower, garlic, and shallots, add flour and skim milk, simmer until soft, then blend with nutmeg and half the pecorino cheese.
How long do I cook the pasta before baking?
Boil the pasta for about 5 minutes until slightly tender but not fully cooked.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a 3 1/2-quart ovenproof baking dish.
How long does the pasta need to bake?
Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the center is bubbling.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 16 grams of protein per serving.
Can I add a crunchy topping to this baked pasta?
Yes, you can top the dish with 1/2 cup of toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs before serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 17 grams of fat per serving.
What type of milk is used for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of skim milk.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 46 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I get a golden-brown finish on top?
After baking, switch the oven to the broiler setting and broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes a small head of cauliflower and a medium bunch of broccoli.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 6 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped.
What is the purpose of the nutmeg?
1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg is blended into the cauliflower sauce for added flavor.
How many shallots are used?
The recipe uses 4 medium shallots.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for meal prep.
How long should the dish cool before serving?
It should cool for 5 minutes after being removed from the oven.
How much broccoli is needed?
You need about 5 cups of broccoli florets, which is roughly one medium bunch.
What oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil is used.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total.
How much flour is used to thicken the sauce?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of all-purpose flour.
Can I use frozen cauliflower for the sauce?
The recipe calls for a fresh small head of cauliflower, but frozen could likely be substituted if measured to about 3 cups.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include baked pasta, cheesy cauliflower, ham and broccoli, comfort food, healthy dinner, and mac and cheese.
Is this dish served for breakfast?
According to the description, it is an irresistible comfort food that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.