Description

This Mushroom Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta Bake offers a creamy, comforting twist on classic pasta dishes by using a rich cauliflower-based Alfredo sauce. Combined with sautéed mushrooms and onions, al dente penne pasta, and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan, this baked casserole is perfect for a satisfying vegetarian dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

1 batch cauliflower alfredo sauce (prepared separately)

Pasta and Veggies

1 lb penne pasta
16 oz sliced mushrooms
1 large onion, diced

Cheese and Seasoning

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

Prepare Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce: Make the cauliflower alfredo sauce according to your preferred recipe or instructions, ensuring it has a creamy texture suitable for mixing into the pasta.
Sauté Mushrooms and Onion: 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 vegetables soften and caramelize.
Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Combine Ingredients: In a large 13 x 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. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta with the sauce.
Season: Add 1 teaspoon of salt or adjust to taste, mixing thoroughly.
Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the cup of mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
Bake the Pasta: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the casserole for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and begins to brown.
Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

You can prepare the cauliflower alfredo sauce in advance to save time on the day of baking.
For a richer flavor, consider adding garlic to the mushrooms and onions during sautéing.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten free.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Adjust salt according to dietary preferences or restrictions.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: cauliflower alfredo, mushroom pasta bake, vegetarian pasta, baked penne, creamy alfredo pasta