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Low-carb Keto cauliflower baked ziti on a dinner plate ready to eat.

Low-carb cauliflower baked ziti

Tami DeGeeter, CPT, CNC
Welcome to a savory twist on a classic Italian favorite: low-carb cauliflower baked ziti. This delicious recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional pasta dishes without compromising on flavor. Tender cauliflower florets are roasted to perfection and layered with Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and three types of cheese. Each bite is a blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and gooey mozzarella cheeses, creating a comforting dish that's as satisfying as it is wholesome. Whether you're following a low-carb lifestyle or simply looking to add more veggies to your diet, this cauliflower baked ziti is sure to become a family favorite.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Lunch and Dinner
Makes 8 servings
Serving Size 1½ cups
Net Carbs 12 g
*Net carbs are per serving

Ingredients
 

  • pounds cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • olive oil sprayer
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • cups marinara sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • cups ricotta cheese
  • cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

Roasted cauliflower

  • Preheat your oven to 425F/220C. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    Close-up view of temperature knob on an oven, preheat oven to cook a meal.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cauliflower, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
    Top view of mixing cauliflower florets in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Transfer the cauliflower onto the baking sheet, in a single layer. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.
    Top view of cauliflower florets on a baking sheet ready to roast in the oven.

Marinara with sausage

  • While the cauliflower bakes, heat it in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, spray with olive oil.
    Top view of a hot skillet with oil.
  • Add the sausage and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking the meat up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add the garlic about halfway through. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
    Top view of Italian sausage cooking in a skillet.
  • Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is bubbling.
    Top view of Italian sausage, seasoning, and marinara sauce cooking in a skillet.

Assembling the ziti

  • Once the cauliflower has finished roasting, reduce the oven to 400F/200C.
    Close-up view of temperature knob on an oven, preheat oven to cook a meal.
  • In a large casserole dish, layer half of the cauliflower evenly across the bottom. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese on the cauliflower and use a large spoon to spread the cheese. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on top. Next, add half of the sausage marinara and top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers a second time, using up the rest of the ingredients.
    Top view of assembling the low-carb cauliflower baked ziti casserole.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden. Enjoy!
    Top view of low-carb cauliflower baked ziti out of the oven after baking with cheese melted and lightly browned.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Low-carb cauliflower baked ziti
Serving Size
 
1.5 cups
Amount per Serving
Calories
548
% Daily Value*
Net Carbohydrates
 
12
g
Carbohydrates
 
14
g
Fiber
 
2
g
Sugar
 
6
g
Protein
 
30
g
Fat
 
41
g
Saturated Fat
 
17
g
Trans Fat
 
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
105
mg
Sodium
 
1386
mg
Potassium
 
781
mg
22
%
Vitamin C
 
45
mg
55
%
Vitamin A
 
145
µg
21
%
Calcium
 
567
mg
57
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. Nutrition facts are sourced from the USDA Food Database. Values may vary depending on brand of ingredients used.
Keywords Keto bake ziti, keto italian casserole, Low-carb baked ziti, low-carb italian casserole
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