Cheesy Cauliflower alla Vodka Casserole : Low Carb : Vegetarian

Yes please … I'd love some of this low carb cauliflower casserole recipe. This low carb penne alla vodka casserole recipe uses cauliflower to stand in for the pasta and is a surprisingly good substitute – just as hearty and satisfying as the real thing. Use 'loads' of Parmesan cheese because it makes it extra delicious and preferably a good quality cheese for the best flavour.

An important note is to make sure your cauliflower is very well drained before adding it to the casserole or you’ll end up with a bland, watery sauce. so be sure to dry out your cauliflower as much as possible before mixing it with the sauce.

This is the perfect low carb vegetarian main meal or side dish, but you could also add cooked chicken or shrimp to this recipe to make it even more hearty and turn it into a delicious one pot meal the whole family will love. 

Ingredients: 
Yield: 8 generous 1 cup servings
8 cups cooked cauliflower florets, well drained
2 cups vodka sauce (see below)
2 Tbsp. heavy (double) whipping cream
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper6 slices Provolone (or mozzarella) cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:
1. Combine the cauliflower, vodka sauce, heavy (double) whipping cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl and toss to coat well.
2. Transfer into a 9 x 13 baking dish (or equivalent) and top with slices of Provolone (or mozzarella) cheese.
3. Bake in a preheated 375 degree (F) oven for 30 – 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is completely melted.
4. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

5. Top with chopped fresh basil and serve.

Notes:
Nutrition info per serving:

14g fat, 6g net carbs, 12g protein

If you don't like alcohol, a simple tomato sauce works in place of vodka sauce.

Original recipe details/more information can be seen here

If you need help with weight/measurement conversion please see here

Vodka sauce is an American cuisine sauce made from a smooth tomato sauce, vodka, typical Italian herbs and heavy (double) cream, which gives the sauce its distinctive orange coloration. It gained popularity in the 1970s, when a variation won a national recipe contest in Italy, although it may well have been a sauce before its popularization in the 1970s. It is a key ingredient in penne alla vodka.

The vodka's function is, ostensibly, to release flavours in the tomato that are normally inaccessible; using alcoholic beverages for this purpose is common in Italian cooking, although usually accomplished with wine. It is also an emulsifier, serving to keep the sauce stable, when normally the oil of the cream sauce would react with the acidic tomato sauce to separate from the water in both.

If choosing a shop bought vodka sauce, buy the lowest carb variety available.

The cauliflower is one of the most versatile foods in the low carbers recipe book. From cauliflower cheese to finely grated as a rice substitute or mash with butter and use as a topping for shepherds and fish pies etc. With minimal carb content and over three times the vitamin C as potatoes, a truly great food. 

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan