Baked Farro Pasta Recipe

A cold-weather crowd-pleaser made of alternating layers of broken farro pasta, sliced potatoes, two cheeses, and mustardy shredded cabbage. The sort of thing you can prep a day or two ahead of time, and then bake when convenient.

Baked Farro Pasta

I thought we'd close out the year with a hearty, rustic, warm-you-from-the-inside baked casserole. It's a cold weather crowd-pleaser made of alternating layers of broken farro pasta, sliced potatoes, two cheeses, and mustardy shredded cabbage. The sort of thing you can prep a day or two ahead of time, then bake when convenient. I suspect you might be able to tell from the photo - its the sort of food that pairs magnificently with a pint and a stormy night.

Baked Farro Pasta Recipe

Let's break it down a bit. One of the things that works for me here is the play between the starchiness of the pasta/potatoes and the bite of the mustard. You can, of course, adjust the amount of mustard to your liking if you make this more than once. The amount I use here is straight up the middle - it comes across as neither meek or assertive once the casserole is baked. But keep in mind, the type of mustard you will also be a factor. I guess what I'm trying to say - feel free to adjust to your tastes.

Baked Farro Pasta Recipe

Like most casseroles or lasagnas, you'll have a bit of a project on your hands, but in the end there's lots of food to enjoy. It took the two of us the better part of a week to finish it off. If you have kids, I imagine a version with a blend of whole wheat/regular macaroni elbows could be a more kid-friendly version. The original idea for the recipe actually came from a buckwheat casserole I came across while flipping through in The Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook. She used a buckwheat pizzoccheri and savoy cabbage. The premise is brilliant and there are a thousand ways you can mix it up. Another alternative I've been thinking of...for those of you with The Essential New York Times Cookbook....I made the Brussels Sprouts "Slaw" with Mustard Butter the other night. I can imagine using that in place of the cabbage here if you're more of a sprout fan, or if that is what you happen to have on hand.

I'm spending the next few days looking after my nephew. Hopefully we'll have some adventures to share with you - today involved hot chocolate, buffalo spotting, and the beach. Enjoy the last of the holiday season - I'm certainly looking forward to a fresh year of recipes and stories with all of you. I've got a fantastically good noodle soup to share with you when we kick off the new year. xo -h

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Baked Farro Pasta Recipe

You can use pretty much any green cabbage here - savoy, napa, or even shredded brussels sprouts if you have some to use up. On the pasta front I call for farro tagliatelle, but you can substitute a wide range of pasta shapes and types. For example, fettuccine, penne, broken lasagne, etc. And you can experiment beyond farro - whole wheat pastas, buckwheat, spelt, they'll all work nicely here. Lastly, I don't hammer this point to death down below, but do your best to salt/season each of the casserole components as you go. Each should taste great on its own.

1 pound small waxy potatoes, for example Yukon gold, fingerling, Yellow Finn

fine grain sea salt

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish

2 medium leeks, trimmed, thinly sliced, well washed
3 garlic gloves, minced

1/2 medium head of cabbage (about 1 lb / 16 oz / 450g), cored and shredded

1/2 cup / 120 ml vegetable broth or water
1 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 fresh sage leaves

12 ounces / 340 g dried farro tagliatelle, broken into 3-inch segments

4 ounces soft-rind, creamy cheese, cut into tiny cubes (for example, I used this Ardrahan farmhouse cheese, but Stracchino, fontina, or tallegio could all work too)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for cooking the pasta.

In the meantime, in a separate pan, cover the potatoes with water and a few big pinches of salt. Simmer until just tender, somewhere between 30 - 45 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain well, then slice into 1/4-inch rounds, toss gently with a bit of salt. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until soft, a few minutes. Stir in the garlic. Stir in the cabbage, and then the broth. Season with salt and cook, covered, for a few minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. Remove from heat and stir in the mustard, then 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and half of the slivered sage leaves. Taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and set aside. It should taste good on its own, with an assertive mustard flavor at this point.

Cook the pasta in generously salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Generously butter a 9 x 13-inch (23cm x 33cm) baking dish, or equivalent. Arrange 1/2 of the noodles evenly in the bottom of the dish. Layer half the cabbage mixture, half of the potatoes, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and half of the cubed cheese on top of the noodles. Arrange the remaining noodles over the cheese and cover with the remaining cabbage, potatoes, and cubed cheese. Finish with the remaining Parmesan and slivered sage.

At this point you can cover and refrigerate the casserole for up to a couple days, or bake in a 400F degree oven for 45 - 60 minutes - until the top is nicely golden, and it is hot throughout. Serve hot.

Serves 6 - 8.

Prep time: 60 minutes - Cook time: 60 minutes

If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it - tag it #101cookbooks on Instagram!

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Comments

Should this be baked covered or uncovered?

kim

Made this for dinner last night - it was amazing. My 7 year old requested that the leftovers be packed for his lunch! Thanks for the amazing recipe!

GT

I think this recipe looks amazing. I also want to make a comment on another recipe I made tonight. I made the baby lima soup with chipotle broth. I can't even explain how great this soup is and it's so simple. Thank you for continuing to provide wonderful ideas. I look forward to each email I get from you!

Erica

I made this last week for my family and everyone loved it. I baked it for 30 minutes covered with a greased piece of aluminum foil and then backed it uncovered for another 20 minutes. The top browned nicely but didn't become too chewy. Thanks for another great recipe!

Karl

This dish reminds me of a dish called Pizzoccheri, it's a speciality form Valtellina, a valley in the province of Como here in Italy. The ingredients are similar although there are some differences. The main one is that the pasta we use is the pizzoccheri which are made with "grano saraceno" that in spite of the name is not a cereal. The pizzoccheri are boiled together with the potatoes and the cabbage. The butter is melted with sage and garlic and at the end the pizzoccheri are put in a baking dish tigether with the melted butter, sage and garlic and cubes of "Bitto" a soft cheese of the same area. Out in the oven for a few minutes and served hot with pepper.

Monica

Made this tonight and it was truly incredible. Beyond delicious!

Anonymous

This is new to me, but it sure looks delicious. Thanks for the idea. I'll sure be making this for dinner tomorrow.

Vanjo

Yummy! Just made this after receiving our east coast farm share. I had a big head of cabbage and lots of potatoes to work with. It came together fairly quickly, despite the many steps. I was afraid it would be dry, but it wasn't, and I am not sure if this was because there was a bit of broth leftover that tossed in. Anyway it's a keeper. Thanks Heidi.

Kathleen CC

Thanks, nIce recipe - very filling but rather dry.Thought it needed something a bit more moist in the mixture.

CJ Paris

It came out okay but I doubled the amount of mustard and still don't taste it at all. Also, the sliced potatoes are just odd. I think I'd mash them next time and make it more like a shepherd's pie. Also, it needs something to hold it together, maybe a sauce of some kind. Otherwise it's too dry and crumbly. But the idea is nice.

siobhan

What a great winter recipe, and vegetarian as well. Thanks so much for sharing!

Charlot

I see you used an earthen ware utensil. how well do they work against your normal glass ones ? just curious to know :-)

rahul

Just reading about this dish I am instantly comforted. I think if anyone was having a bad day and then they had a slice of this they would feel better.

Georgia Pellegrini

It was FANTASTIC! Thanks so much. Unique, filling and tasty... AND my 2 year old ate it as well.

Erin

Oooh, this looks so hearty and satisfying and perfect for the rest of the long winter we're in for :) Happy New Year!

Sues

That looks so good... I wish I had some in front of me right now! Definitely trying this one soon. Wishing you a Happy Hearty and Healthy New Year!

Stephanie

That looks like a warming winter dish...it's unfortunate that my impatience will prevent me from trying it..maybe I'll slide this one over to my mom;)

Liana @ femme fraiche

Hot chocolate, buffalo spotting, and the beach? What could be better? Happy New Year, Heidi. Thanks for a year of lovely, inspiring, and beautiful posts. Looking forward to yet another. xo.

Megan Gordon

I totally did not make this dish, but it did inspire me to make pasta with a cabbage and mustard sauce that really hit spot after a week of leftover Christmas ham and potatos. Thank you.

Tricia

Hmm, never heard of Farro pasta - must seek it out - looks really good. I have a load of sprouts left over Xmas so maybe I'll adapt this a bit to use up those tonight!

Charles

Thanks for this recipe, sounds delicious!

Farina's Asian Pantry

I am in love with this. It sounds absolutely perfect for next week, when all the merriment has subsided, and the quiet of January settles in.

Kimberley

I've never had farro but I think I would really like it.

The Food Hunter

I am currently completely obsessed with farro but have never seen it in pasta form. What a find!! This looks outstanding!

Anonymous

Sounds almost like a cabbage lasagna! I haven't seen farro pasta at our store here, will have to look in the specialty section.

Liz from Simple Italian Cooking

I made this last night. Absolutely fantastic! All I can say is WOW. Thank you for this divine winter recipe - it's beautiful in the cast iron skillet too!

Lynn

I could kill for something like that right now!!! I am so hungry and a little sick!

Chocolate Freckles

Sounds like such a warm, comforting dish. Perfect for a cold winter's night, that's for sure. Wonder if they sell farro pasta anywhere around here.

Marianne

Perfect comfort food combination for the stormy weather we're having this holiday season. And a good excuse to try Farro pasta.

Denise - Family Cookbook

I love casseroles that can be prepared a day or two ahead. That way when the guests have arrived, all you have to do throw it in the oven. Quick n easy! I've never tried farro before, but sounds like I may need to.

Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary)

Never had farro before... and you make it look so delicious! Gotta give this a try.

Jill

Sage, mustard and cabbage? Definitely an interesting new twist on pasta for dinner. Thank you!

Michelle @ Find Your Balance

Wow this looks great! Mmm...especially in the winter!

Ashlee @ cookinginnh

Mmm this looks lovely!

Katrina

This looks fantastic. I love the double starch! And I'm a huge cabbage fan so this is kind of my ideal recipe! But... I have a huge bag of farro sitting in my panrty. I'm wondering how this would be texture-wise,. if I replaced the pasta with farro. I may have to give it a try and see what happens.

Katie@Cozydelicious

I think you had saved best for the last, I love this simple and healthy baked farro pasta recipe. Perfect for ending and starting the year right! Have a great happy new year!

Pam @ Kitchenware

Thanks Heidi. Even though we're at the height of summer here in the southern hemisphere, a cabbagey cheesy pasta bake sounds scrumptious. Bake Club loves sweet and savoury so I'll definitely post it when I get round to making it.

bakeclub.yolasite.com

I have been living (in a hotel) and working in Shanghai for 2 months now. I return back to the U.S. next week. I miss cooking so much and this is going to be my first dish. Thank you for posting such amazing, creative and healthy recipes.

Tammy

Happy New Year Heidi - I've been reading each post for over a year now and you've been a terrific inspiration to my cooking and my blog as well as a delight to read and a feast for the eyes. Thank you.

Sally - My Custard Pie

Where can I buy farro pasta in the SF Bay area? I live on the Peninsula. Really want to make this dish. Thanks HS: Hi Ivy, try the pasta section of Whole Foods, or any natural food store. If they don't have farro, they're likely to have spelt or whole wheat, or some alternative.

ivy

Wow, that looks good, sad it is so much work! going to make this for dinner this weekend! Brad

Brad Sloan

mmm lovely! I love a good baked savoury dish. and I have recently become obsessed with mustard, so win win! Happy New Year :) Looking forward to the noodle soup! Heidi xo

Heidi - apples under my bed

Oh good. I have two whole stalks of sprouts to use, thatI bought in a moment of irrational optimism. This will change it up a bit! Thanks!

Amanda at Enchanted Fig

You read my mind again! Just made farro for dinner (butternut, mushroom, parmesan walnut risotto - très Heidi :) but now have to try your version, looks delicious! Finished off with your maple syrup scones (with a yogurt honey cinnamon sauce fyi) - divine (and so easy to make!) Thanks for keeping me well fed in Paris and now at home in New Jersey for the Holidays regaling my family with your recipes. Can't wait for the new cookbook to come out - bon courage !

Rebecca

Sounds amazing; but any ideas for a cheese substitute? Dairy allergies....Thanks!

Donna Minassian

I made this today for lunch and it is amazing. I did use brussels sprouts instead of cabbage and it turned out beautifully.

Kirsten

Thank you, Heidi, for all your wonderful recipes and ideas and inspiration throughout the year. Happy New Year and blessings to you!

Lisa W.

Whether or not it is farro...or regular pasta...this just looks so good...and I just saw the cinnamon bun recipe...I think I am making that for New Year's Morning...

Patty

Heidi, I am so please to see a farro recipe! My health food shop sells two farro pastas: spaghetti and penne rigate. I have already called to see if they can obtain the tagliatelle for me. Would the penne rigate work in this recipe?

RuthieM

Oh what a delicious and unique flavor combination!

Simply Life

Wow, what a great idea...especially the pint on a stormy night. Would have been great when we got a foot of snow in Boston Sunday night. Thanks Heidi

Jonny G

Mmm, I can imagine just what that tastes like and now I'm dying to make it. I've got some leftover brussels sprouts in my fridge, now, and I think I know just what to do with them. Happy New Year Sabrina

Sabrina Modelle

This is comfort food with capital "C" which also stands for "C"annot wait to make it, too. Thanks Heidi.

Tom | Tall Clover

I've never eaten pasta and potatoes together, but I imagine it's just the thing for a mid-winter warmer. Happy new year Heidi :-)

Emm

Sounds delicious, Heidi. Thank you for sharing; have a wonderful end of the year! Such a fabulous comfort food recipe to warm up during this snow storm we're in right now! Happy Holidays.

The Healthy Apple

This sounds wonderful and sounds very much like the classic northern Italian dish pizoccheri which is made with buckwheat noodles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzoccheri fabulous all around and perfect for winter.

Katherine Deumling

I haven't seen farro pasta before, but what a brilliant idea! I love that this is total comfort food, but also full of healthful whole foods.

The Rowdy Chowgirl

I have been on the hunt for farro. Where did you get this pasta??

Laurab @ foodsnobstl

Heidi, this sounds wonderful! Will I miss out on the essence of this dish if I sub semolina pasta for the farro pasta? I'd love to try this recipe, but doubt my local grocer stocks it.

KarmaCucina

This looks so warm and comforting. It's a bonus that it can be prepared ahead of time. Love that.

Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama

i actually already have all the ingredients to make this in my house - sounds like a wonderful impromptu dinner for tonight!

laura @ alittlebarefoot

Thank you for this great recipe. Sounds like the right kind of food for this weather. Any idea where I can get farro pasta?

Eva @ 1 big bite

I FINALLY found farro in small town Kentucky. I imagine farro pasta will be another five years.

A Teenage Gourmet

My husband of Polish ancestry would love this mix of noodles, potatoes and cabbage. I see in your photo you used Napa cabbage, but this would be just as good with standard cabbage. Of course, in Mexico, we can't get Napa, faro tagliatelle or any of your suggested cheeses, but a recipe like this is so adaptable to what is at hand. Thank you for the inspiration to be creative with these ingredients. Kathleen

Cooking in Mexico

Have fun watching your nephew. I'd love to hear what you make for him. Cheers to the New Year!

Caroline Shields

Thank you for this recipe. Traditionally, I use quite a lot of cabbage in my cuisine and recently I also read a lot about farro. I have been wondering how to use it and farro pasta seems like a creative addition to the always popular pasta menu.

Bogna @ Pots and Frills

I've been dying to try farro and this looks like the perfect way!

Jessica @ How Sweet

I really like that this can be prepped ahead. Helps during the chaos of the holiday season. Mustardy cabbage sounds awesome!

LimeCake

I did your baked potato with tomato & spices not so long ago and it was a success! Your cinnamon bun is something for me to try soon. Then this one delighted me again to try... Such a wonderful inspiration Heidi :D Happy Holidays!

The Artist Chef

It sounds yummy. I cook for my celiac boyfriend and I wondered if replacing the mustard (I'm not 100% sure its gluten free) with balsamic vinegar would work out. Thanks for the recipe!

Anonymous

I haven't tried farro pasta yet, but this looks yummy.

kristi @ veggie converter

Once again you've helped me decide what to prepare for dinner tomorrow. I love the idea that it will feed us through the week. How do you usually have the same veggies on hand as I do? What a help you are to me in using seasonal produce in fresh and fun ways. Thanks Heidi!

renee

Mmm, this sounds wonderful. So homey and comforting, and yet full of whole grain goodness and veggies! This is exactly the kind of casserole I'd love to make. Thanks for another beautiful recipe, Heidi!

Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks

Potatoes, pasta and cheese...comfort food! Serving it from a skillet adds the perfect heart-warming touch.

Lisa@ButteryBooks

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