Best 4 Rigatoni Cauliflower Al Forno Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our Rigatoni Cauliflower Al Forno, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish combines the hearty goodness of rigatoni pasta with the tender-crisp texture of roasted cauliflower, enveloped in a luscious creamy sauce. A generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, savory touch, while fresh basil brings a burst of aromatic freshness.

But that's not all! This versatile recipe offers a treasure trove of variations to suit your preferences. Craving a vegetarian delight? Simply omit the sausage and add a medley of roasted vegetables for a vibrant, plant-based feast. Gluten-free? Swap out the rigatoni for your favorite gluten-free pasta and enjoy a meal that caters to your dietary needs.

For those who love a bit of spice, a dash of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of chili powder will add a subtle heat that complements the richness of the dish. And if you're a cheese enthusiast, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, from sharp cheddar to gooey mozzarella, to create a cheesy masterpiece.

With its customizable nature and irresistible flavor, Rigatoni Cauliflower Al Forno is a crowd-pleaser that will become a staple in your culinary repertoire. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that promises to satisfy every palate.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

RIGATONI AND CAULIFLOWER AL FORNO RECIPE - (3.4/5)



Rigatoni and Cauliflower al Forno Recipe - (3.4/5) image

Provided by á-49759

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound rigatoni or other large pasta shape
1 medium cauliflower, about 1 1/2 pounds
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon capers, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste
3 tablespoons roughly chopped sage, plus a few sage leaves left whole
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
6 ounces coarsely grated fontina or mozzarella
2 ounces finely grated Romano cheese or other hard pecorino
1/2 cup coarse dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Steps:

  • Cook the rigatoni in well-salted water according to package directions, but drain while still quite al dente. (If directions call for 12 minutes cooking, cook for 10 instead.) Rinse pasta with cool water, then drain again and set aside. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom. Cut out tough core and stem any extraneous leaves. Lay cauliflower flat side down and cut crosswise into rough 1/4-inch slices. Break into smaller pieces. Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower slices, along with any crumbly pieces, in one layer. (Work in batches if necessary.) Let cauliflower brown and caramelize for about 2 minutes, then turn pieces over to brown the other side. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. It's fine if some pieces don't brown evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped sage, sage leaves and lemon zest and stir to coat. Put cooked cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rigatoni and fontina and toss. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top with Romano cheese, then with bread crumbs and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. (Dish may be completed to this point up to several hours in advance and kept at room temperature, covered.) Bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until top is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

RIGATONI AND CAULIFLOWER AL FORNO



Rigatoni and Cauliflower al Forno image

Rigatoni And Cauliflower Al Forno With Rigatoni, Cauliflower, Extra-virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Capers, Garlic Cloves, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Sage, Lemon Zest, Fontina, Grated Romano Cheese, Dry Bread Crumbs, Flat-leaf Parsley

Provided by LaurenClyneMedley

Categories     Main Dishes

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound rigatoni or other large pasta shape
1 cauliflower medium, about 1 1/2 pounds
extra-virgin olive oil
salt
1 tablespoon capers roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
3 tablespoons sage roughly chopped, plus a few sage leaves left whole
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
6 ounces Fontina coarsely grated, or mozzarella
2 ounces grated romano cheese finely, or other hard pecorino
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs coarse
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley chopped, for garnish, optional

Steps:

  • Cook the rigatoni in well-salted water according to package directions, but drain while still quite al dente. (If directions call for 12 minutes cooking, cook for 10 instead.) Rinse pasta with cool water, then drain again and set aside.
  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom. Cut out tough core and stem any extraneous leaves. Lay cauliflower flat side down and cut crosswise into rough 1/4-inch slices. Break into smaller pieces.
  • Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower slices, along with any crumbly pieces, in one layer. (Work in batches if necessary.) Let cauliflower brown and caramelize for about 2 minutes, then turn pieces over to brown the other side. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. It's fine if some pieces don't brown evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped sage, sage leaves and lemon zest and stir to coat.
  • Put cooked cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rigatoni and fontina and toss. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top with Romano cheese, then with bread crumbs and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. (Dish may be completed to this point up to several hours in advance and kept at room temperature, covered.)
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until top is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 510 calories, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Cholesterol 100 milligrams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 960 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

RIGATONI AL FORNO WITH CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI RABE



Rigatoni al Forno With Cauliflower and Broccoli Rabe image

This baked pasta - please don't call it a "pasta bake" - is a luscious affair, with two sauces. A creamy white béchamel is employed to toss with the pasta and vegetables. When it emerges, bubbly and bronzed and crisp on top, a bright, light tomato sauce adorns each serving. (If preferred, you can layer both sauces instead.) Putting it together is somewhat like building a lasagna - a bit of a fussy project - but once assembled, it's no trouble at all to bake and serve. Prepare it all several hours in advance, then pop it in the oven when you like.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk, or use half-and-half for a richer sauce
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg, or to taste
1 small bay leaf
3 cups canned tomatoes, whole or crushed tomatoes (from a 28-ounce can)
1 1/2 cups chopped onion, any kind
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 bay leaf or a few basil leaves
Kosher salt
Kosher salt
1 pound rigatoni
1 medium cauliflower, chopped (about 3 cups)
1 bunch broccoli rabe, chopped (about 3 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan
1 cup grated provolone (about 3 ounces), plus more for serving
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano (about 3 ounces), plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Make the béchamel: Put the olive oil and flour in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk together. Let mixture sizzle without browning for 1 minute. Whisk in milk 1 cup at a time, letting it come up to a simmer and begin to thicken before adding the next cup. Repeat until all the milk has been added.
  • When the sauce has thickened to the consistency of a milkshake, turn heat to low. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Add the nutmeg and bay leaf, and cook for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Check seasoning and adjust. Turn off heat and keep sauce warm. (If sauce thickens upon sitting, thin with a little more milk.)
  • Make the tomato sauce: In a small saucepan, put tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, bay leaf or basil, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender (remove bay leaf before blending but leave in basil, if using). Purée to a velvety consistency and return to the saucepan. Taste and adjust seasoning. Keep sauce warm, or let cool and reheat before serving.
  • Make the pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until nearly done, about 2 minutes less than package directions, leaving the pasta still quite firm. Lift pasta from the water with a spider or large strainer, and spread it out on a baking sheet to cool.
  • Add cauliflower to pot and cook until barely softened, 1 minute. Lift from the water with a spider or large strainer and spread out to cool on a baking sheet.
  • Add the broccoli rabe and cook until just wilted, 1 minute, then drain in a colander. Rinse with cool water, then squeeze into a ball.
  • Put cauliflower and broccoli rabe into the empty pasta pot. Add garlic, rosemary and red-pepper flakes, and stir together. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil.
  • Add the béchamel and the rigatoni. Mix well with the cauliflower and broccoli rabe. Add the provolone and Pecorino Romano, and mix well again.
  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pile the pasta mixture into an oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until nicely browned and crisp on top, about 40 minutes. Leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving. (Alternatively, refrigerate the assembled dish for up to 6 hours and bake later. Bring to room temperature before baking.)
  • To serve, put a large spoonful of pasta into individual bowls or plates, making sure each portion has some of the crisp top. Spoon some tomato sauce around each portion and sprinkle with more grated cheese.

RIGATONI AND CAULIFLOWER AL FORNO



Rigatoni and Cauliflower Al Forno image

Make and share this Rigatoni and Cauliflower Al Forno recipe from Food.com.

Provided by lecole54

Categories     European

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 medium cauliflower, about 1-1/2 pounds
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided (extra-virgin)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon capers, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
3 tablespoons sage, roughly chopped plus a few sage leaves left whole
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
6 ounces Fontina cheese, coarsely grated (can substitute mozzarella)
2 ounces romano cheese, finely grated (or other hard pecorino)
1/2 breadcrumbs, coarse and dry
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped, for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom. Cut out tough core and stem any extraneous leaves. Lay cauliflower flat side down and cut crosswise into rough 1/4-inch slices. Break into smaller pieces.
  • Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower slices, along with any crumbly pieces, in one layer. (Work in batches if necessary.) Let cauliflower brown and caramelize for about 2 minutes, then turn pieces over to brown the other side. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. It's fine if some pieces don't brown evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped sage, sage leaves and lemon zest and stir to coat.
  • Put cooked cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rigatoni and fontina and toss. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top with Romano cheese, then with bread crumbs and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. (Dish may be completed to this point up to several hours in advance and kept at room temperature, covered.).
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until top is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 549.4, Fat 24.2, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 106.6, Sodium 429.9, Carbohydrate 61.1, Fiber 5, Sugar 3.9, Protein 23.2

Tips:

  • Choose the right cauliflower: Look for a head of cauliflower that is compact and has tightly packed florets. Avoid heads with any signs of bruising or discoloration.
  • Cut the cauliflower into uniform florets: This will help them cook evenly. Cut the cauliflower into 1-inch florets.
  • Roast the cauliflower before adding it to the pasta: Roasting the cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a slightly caramelized flavor. Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
  • Use a good quality pasta: Rigatoni is a great choice for this dish because it has a large surface area that can hold the sauce. Look for a pasta that is made with semolina flour, which will give it a nice al dente texture.
  • Make sure the sauce is flavorful: The sauce is the star of this dish, so make sure it is packed with flavor. Use a combination of garlic, onion, Italian sausage, and crushed tomatoes. You can also add some fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano, for extra flavor.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, which means it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but check it a few minutes before it is supposed to be done to make sure it is not overcooked.
  • Serve the pasta immediately: This dish is best served hot out of the oven. Top it with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano.

Conclusion:

Rigatoni cauliflower al forno is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its roasted cauliflower, flavorful sauce, and melted cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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