Il Cucinologo
EN

Baked Trofie with Calamari and Cauliflower

17/11/2023

The recipe for Baked Trofie with Calamari and Cauliflower is a dish that combines the tradition of baked pasta with the flavors of the sea and vegetables in an original and tasty way. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 300 g trofie (or another type of short pasta)
  • 300 g cleaned calamari, cut into rings
  • 1 medium cauliflower
  • 250 g tomato passata
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 chili pepper (optional)
  • 100 g buffalo mozzarella (or other melting cheese)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the cauliflower, separating it into florets and washing them well. Blanch the cauliflower florets in boiling salted water for about 5-7 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.

  2. In a large pan, heat a little oil with a garlic clove and the chopped chili. Add the calamari and sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomato passata, season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for about 10 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, cook the trofie in plenty of salted water according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain and reserve some of the cooking water.

  4. Mix the trofie with the calamari sauce and a little cooking water to make it creamier. Add the blanched cauliflower and stir gently.

  5. Take a baking dish, lightly grease it with oil, and transfer the mix of trofie, calamari, and cauliflower. Distribute pieces of buffalo mozzarella (or your preferred melting cheese) and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs over the surface.

  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.

  7. Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Trivia

Trofie are a type of pasta typically from Liguria, usually served with pesto. In this baked version, they take on a new tasty identity, enriched with flavors from the sea and the land. This dish is perfect for those who want to try a culinary fusion between baked pasta, the quintessential home-style dish, and typical ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.