Cauliflower-and-Parmesan Pasta Bake

Dig in to this Cauliflower-and-Parmesan Pasta Bake. With smokey bacon and lots of cheese, it’s earned a place on your dinner table. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious entrée, our Cauliflower-and-Parmesan Pasta Bake is a winner.


Total Time: 45 Min(s)

Prep Time: 35 Min(s)

Servings: 6

What You Need

  • 3 cups medium pasta shells
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch-thick slices
  • 3 cups small cauliflower florets, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tub (5 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs

Let’s Make It

  1. Heat oven to 375°F.
  2. Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
  3. Meanwhile, cook and stir bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard all but 2 Tbsp. drippings from skillet. Reserve 1 Tbsp. drippings for later use; return remaining reserved drippings to skillet.
  4. Add cauliflower to skillet; cook, stirring frequently, 4 to 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Add garlic, flour and pepper; cool and stir 1 min. Stir in milk; cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 10 min. or until thickened. Add 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until melted. Remove from heat.
  5. Drain pasta. Add to cauliflower mixture along with the bacon; mix lightly. Spoon into 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
  6. Combine bread crumbs with reserved bacon drippings and remaining cheese; spoon over pasta mixture.
  7. Bake 10 min. or until cauliflower mixture is heated through and bread crumb topping is golden brown.

Kitchen Tips

  • Serving Suggestion
    Serve with fresh fruit and a tossed green salad to round out the meal.

  • Special Extra
    Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition info

(Per Serving) 290 calories, 11g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 35mg cholesterol, 650mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 7g sugars, 17g protein, 0%DV vitamin D, 10%DV calcium, 7%DV iron, 0%DV potassium.

*Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.