I “borrowed” this recipe from my foodie blogging friend Seana over at Cottage Grove House. Her recipes have never failed me, and this one didn’t either. The flavors in this are bright and flavorful! If we hadn’t left town for a couple of days this would have been completely consumed. The original recipe called for almond meal and nutritional yeast, but since I couldn’t find either of those I subbed in with ground roasted almonds and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Side note: This made a LOT of food for my small family so I plan on halving it next time. Part of that was my fault for using a pound of chicken sausage instead of 1/2 pound — DOH! But the family liked it and that’s what counts, right? 😀
Roasted Cauliflower and Chicken Sausage Casserole
Adapted from Roasted Cauliflower and Chicken Sausage Casserole at Cottage Grove House
1 medium head of cauliflower (roughly 2 pounds) cut into bite size florets
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound organic chicken sausages, removed from casings (1/2 pound would be plenty, too)
1 cup diced onion
1/8 teaspoon dried, crushed thyme
1 28-ounce can Italian-style diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup roasted almonds, ground in a food processor
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the minced garlic and 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for approximately 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through cooking time. When the cauliflower is lightly browned, remove from the oven and set aside.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken sausage, breaking it up as you add it. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until it is cooked through and browned thoroughly. Lower the heat to medium low and add the onions, and thyme. Sauté the mixture for about 5 to 7 minutes until the onions have started to soften.
Add the Italian diced tomatoes to the skillet, with its liquid. Stir thoroughly and cook for 5 more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Last, stir in the cauliflower until all pieces are coated with the tomato liquid.
Spray a 3-quart casserole with olive oil and pour the cauliflower and sausage mixture into the dish. In a small bowl combine the ground almonds and Parmesan cheese and distribute evenly over the casserole. Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Too bad I couldn’t have your leftovers. Using almonds as a topping sounds great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Gerlinde, the almonds were very tasty! I wish I could have sent you the leftovers too. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you Kathryn! It turned out wonderfully and I think using parmesan and ground roasted almonds for the topping is brilliant! I think my family eats more than yours! The three of us polished it off in two days. Well, I have a 17 year old son who burns it off through track and football training and believe me…he eats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should be thanking you for such a brilliant idea for cauliflower! The other problem was that my sister was visiting and we cooked a different meal every night after we got back from our weekend trip together. We will be eating leftovers all week long! 😀
LikeLike
I know too well that’s how it goes…you’d never serve leftover’s for your house guest! Even for your sister. 😉 Now…the left overs begin…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum. I love roasted cauliflower and chicken sausage but never thought to combine the two; thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, wasn’t that a wonderful idea from Seana? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooo… this sounds good Kathryn. Funny, as a kid i was never exposed to cauliflower. As an adult it just wasn’t on my radar. But i ‘discovered’ it in recent years, and i love it. This is a great way to use it. Huge hugs! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teagan! I’m glad you “discovered” it! It’s an awesome vegetable and tastes so very good when roasted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a great winter warmer! Cauliflower is crazy dear in Sydney at the mo – like $8 a head – so I am refusing to buy until it becomes cheaper. I’ll remember this recipe for then 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe cauliflower is so expensive down under! Sending positive vibes for the price to decrease so you can enjoy this dish soon. 🙂
LikeLike
It really is crazy. I have never seen them so dear. Went to buy one today – again, it was $8 so I left it ;(
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award because I love your recipes and blog!!! I’ve been following your post for a while now and love your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Thank you so much! I do appreciate the nomination. I’ll see if I can get my act together for this. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you’ve taken up the challenge! If I ever had the opportunity to sit down and have coffee with you these are the questions I’d ask you. I think it’s a great opportunity to let you know that I love your blog and eagerly await your posts. Keep up the fantastic work 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you again. I’ll see if I can get this out on Wednesday. (It’s still Monday here in the U.S. and time to get my arse to bed as I have to be up in about 7 hours for my “real” job, lol!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might have to do a “scaled down” version of this award for you, as my “real work” is keeping me hopping after taking vacation days last week to visit with my sister from Texas! I’ll make sure to post something that will promote you and others! (At least I hope it will, I don’t have a huge readership as I only blog my recipes for personal use and for friends.) 🙂 But I love your blog too, don’t worry about that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why is cauliflower sooooooooooo underrated!?! I love this dish – complete comfort food!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rory! Cauliflower is a fantastic veggie, and so incredibly delicious when roasted. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person