Category, , DifficultyIntermediate
Better-for-You Cauliflower Baked “Ziti”
Yields6 Servings
Prep Time25 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time45 mins
 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 8 cups)
 1 lb lean ground beef
 1 small white onion, chopped
 4 cloves garlic, minced
 28 oz no salt added tomato sauce
 2 tsp Italian seasoning
 3 cups packed baby spinach
 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, divided
 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
 8 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
1

Preheat oven to 400°. Heat large saucepot with ½-inch water to a boil over medium-high heat; add cauliflower. Cover and cook 5 minutes; drain.

2

In large skillet, cook and stir beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until beef is browned. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomato sauce and seasoning; cook 5 minutes or until heated through.

3

In large bowl, toss spinach, ½ cup each ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, cauliflower, beef mixture, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper; transfer to 3-quart baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of remaining ½ cup ricotta cheese over cauliflower-beef mixture; sprinkle with remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.’

4

Bake 20 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve garnished with basil.

Chef’s Tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked lentils for the ground beef: Prepare 1 cup dry lentils as label directs; drain. In step 2, omit the ground beef and cook the onion in 1 teaspoon olive oil; continue with step 2, folding the cooked lentils into the heated tomato mixture.

 

Ingredients

 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 8 cups)
 1 lb lean ground beef
 1 small white onion, chopped
 4 cloves garlic, minced
 28 oz no salt added tomato sauce
 2 tsp Italian seasoning
 3 cups packed baby spinach
 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, divided
 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
 8 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 400°. Heat large saucepot with ½-inch water to a boil over medium-high heat; add cauliflower. Cover and cook 5 minutes; drain.

2

In large skillet, cook and stir beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until beef is browned. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomato sauce and seasoning; cook 5 minutes or until heated through.

3

In large bowl, toss spinach, ½ cup each ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, cauliflower, beef mixture, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper; transfer to 3-quart baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of remaining ½ cup ricotta cheese over cauliflower-beef mixture; sprinkle with remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.’

4

Bake 20 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve garnished with basil.

Notes

Better-for-You Cauliflower Baked “Ziti”