Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti: Comfort Food Without the Carbs

If you crave the warm, cheesy goodness of baked pasta but follow a low-carb diet, this Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti is the perfect solution. By swapping traditional ziti for tender, roasted cauliflower florets, you achieve a hearty texture and absorb all the savory flavor of the meat sauce and rich ricotta mixture. This dish is packed with Italian sausage, low-sugar marinara, and plenty of cheese, making it the ultimate keto comfort casserole.

Ingredients & What You’ll Need

• 2 heads cauliflower, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt (estimated)
• 1 tsp pepper (estimated)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (estimated)
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar no sugar marinara sauce (approx. 24 oz)
• 1½ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti

This recipe involves three simple stages: roasting the base, preparing the sauce, and layering the casserole.

Roasting the Cauliflower

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the leaves and stems from the cauliflower and chop the heads into bite-sized florets. Rinse the florets and spread them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Toss all of the ingredients to coat the florets thoroughly. Roast for about 25 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown.

Preparing the Meat Sauce

While the cauliflower is roasting, brown the Italian sausage in a large pan over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once the sausage is cooked through, add the 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes until the mixture smells fragrant. Season the meat with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the no-sugar-added marinara sauce. You can add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Stir everything together, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

Assembling the Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti

In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with one large egg. Season the ricotta mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until the ingredients are smooth and well combined. After the cauliflower is done roasting, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Now, you can begin layering the ingredients in a $9 \times 13$-inch baking dish. Start with a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of the roasted cauliflower, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle a layer of shredded Parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layers—sauce, cauliflower, ricotta, and cheeses—until all your ingredients are used. For the final top layer, add a generous amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Bake and Serve

Place the assembled dish in the oven and bake at $375^\circ\text{F}$ for 15-20 minutes. The baked ziti is ready when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This cooling time helps the layers set properly. Scoop out and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti

• Cauliflower Texture: Make sure your cauliflower is roasted until it is fork-tender before assembly. This prevents crunchy pieces in the final dish.
• Cheese for Setting: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes after baking is crucial. Resting helps the ricotta and melted cheeses set, making the casserole easier to scoop and serve.
• Spice Level: You can use hot Italian sausage for an added kick of heat, or mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the meat sauce to spice up the Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti.
• Meal Prep: This casserole makes a fantastic meal prep dish. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and bake it just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Keto Cauliflower Baked Ziti is a winner for anyone missing Italian comfort food on a keto diet. The roasted cauliflower offers a perfect substitute for pasta, absorbing the rich flavors of the savory meat sauce and creamy cheese layers. This hearty and flavorful casserole will quickly become a weeknight favorite.