Looking for the perfect healthy family dinner that is easy to prepare with tons of flavor and minimal clean up? Then this One Pot Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Bake Recipe is for you made with gluten free pasta, loaded with vegetables, and the whole family will love it.
Have you started your holiday shopping?
Are you done?
Me I bought my first item yesterday and I did it from my computer. I have to tell you if I never have to go to a store again to holiday shop I will be a very happy girl.
I am not sure what that says about me? Am I turning into one of those recluse types that would rather be alone than interact with others? Â The worry has merit. I do work from home.
What about you? Do you like driving to the mall and getting swept up in all the store sales, big paper bags, and listening to Christmas music in each store that you enter?
If you are busy with shopping or just life, this recipe will make your hungry self-satisfied.
Even though this recipe is vegetarian, you feel like you are eating a hearty protein-filled dish.  The anchovy and cauliflower, broccoli mix gives you a dense substantial feel.  This dish is great warmed up as well for leftovers.
I hope you make this dish if you do snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram or Facebook. Just tag @ahealthylifeforme.
- 1 pound broccoli, cut into small 1″ florets
- 1 pound cauliflower, cut into small 1″ florets
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- 3 large garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 ounce of anchovies, drained and chopped
- 16 ounces of gluten free penne pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 3-4 large basil leaves
- 8 ounces creme fraiche
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to boil. Salt water and drop in Broccoli and Cauliflower florets and boil for 5 minutes, remove florets and place in a bowl.
- Keep water boiling and add pasta, cooking according to directions. Drain pasta in a colander reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Place pan back on the heat, add heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in garlic, red pepper flakes and anchovies stirring to coat in olive oil and warm.
- Then stir in broccoli, cauliflower and pasta water. Cover and cook over low to medium heat for 5 minutes or until the water evaporates.
- Evenly stir in pasta, marinara sauce and top with basil, dollops of creme fraiche, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over top and place in oven and bake for 30 minutes
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For the past few years I have been lucky enough to have been able to do all of my Christmas shopping online. If I never have to step foot in a mall during the holidays it will be okay with me. As for this casserole, it all looks and sounds completely delicious. So many wonderful flavors, I know my husband and daughter would love it!
I am glad I am not alone in the cringe-worthy apprehension to holiday shopping at the mall. I hope your family enjoys the recipe as much as mine did.
Ahhh! This looks delicious! I need to make this for dinner this weekend!
Thanks Krista. Enjoy!
Shopping in stores isn’t my thing, either! Hooray for online shopping. 🙂 And love the looks of this!
Thanks Erin.
This looks like a great way to get my kids into broccoli and cauliflower! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
It is Sabrina, and they won’t even know they are eating it.
My family will LOVE this pasta bake!! Looks incredible!!
Thanks Katerina.
Terribly allergic to anchovies — what can I substitute?
Hi Pat,
Though I have never done it I have read that you can substitute chopped capers for anchovies in pasta dishes. I would use 1 tablespoon and if you are sensitive to the taste of salt you might want to rinse them first. I would just drain them and chop. Let me know how it turns out.
I actually do like 99% of my holiday shopping online, and I am just about done already! 🙂 Honestly, my anxiety can’t handle the crowds and stress of holiday shopping in the stores.
And this pasta bake looks amazing! Love that it is one pot (yay for less clean-up!) and that it is healthier too.
I am so jealous you are almost finished with your holiday shopping. I have bought two items. My crew is so hard to shop for, and I find I just spend time looking, get sidetracked and before I know it I am looking at blazers on JCrew. BAD! I hope you give this dish a try, super easy and loads of flavor, and yep so easy to clean up!
I love this for weeknight meals!
Thanks Des.
This was a hit in our house. My mom, hubby, and two little munchkins loved it. In fact, our two and 4 year old both had seconds! Thanks for sharing!
That is so awesome Heather! Thank you for coming back and letting me know!
Thanks for sharing! This dish was a hit in our house!!
Great news Heather!
You say it’s vegetarian, then include anchovies?? What…