**Creamy Cauliflower Pasta: A Symphony of Flavors for a Wholesome Meal**
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece that combines the velvety richness of a creamy sauce with the tender florets of cauliflower, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This versatile dish offers three distinct recipes to cater to various dietary preferences, ensuring that everyone can savor this delightful creation. Embark on a culinary journey with the classic Creamy Cauliflower Pasta, where Parmesan cheese and herbs dance harmoniously to create a comforting and indulgent dish. For a vegan delight, explore the Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Pasta, which uses a luscious plant-based sauce made from cashews and nutritional yeast to deliver a satisfying and flavorful experience. Gluten-free enthusiasts will rejoice in the Creamy Cauliflower Pasta with Gluten-Free Penne, where a medley of vegetables and a gluten-free penne pasta come together in a creamy embrace. With its versatility and delectable taste, this recipe collection promises an unforgettable culinary experience for all.
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER PASTA WITH PECORINO BREAD CRUMBS
Equal parts cauliflower and pasta, this one-skillet dinner is a vegetable-forward version of macaroni and cheese. A whole head of cauliflower browns and caramelizes in a skillet before being simmered with heavy cream, pecorino cheese and a bit of lemon zest, breaking down into a special (and yes, decadent) sauce to coat the pasta shape of your choosing. For those looking to make it their own, this pasta could absolutely handle a bit of chopped bacon sautéed with the cauliflower, or handfuls of leafy greens tossed in at the end to wilt. Whatever you do, do not skip the bread crumbs - they are a not-so-stealthy vehicle for more cheese, and also add much-needed texture to the finished dish.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pasta pot filled with salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente; drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they're evenly toasted and golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup pecorino and toss to coat, letting the cheese melt and clump among the bread crumbs (think granola-like clusters). Remove from heat and transfer to a small bowl or plate; set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet and heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cauliflower and season with salt and plenty of black pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the cauliflower has completely softened and both the cauliflower and shallots are beginning to caramelize and brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and 1 tablespoon lemon zest and bring to a simmer, then let the cream reduce and thicken, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and plenty of pepper; if pasta is still cooking, remove from heat and set aside until pasta is ready.
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add the pasta to the cauliflower, along with the remaining 1/4 cup pecorino and 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Cook, tossing to coat the pasta and thicken the sauce until it's thick and glossy, and almost resembles macaroni and cheese, adding more pasta water by the tablespoon as needed, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Divide pasta among bowls and top with pecorino bread crumbs, chives, more lemon zest, red-pepper flakes (if using) and more cheese if you like.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 775, UnsaturatedFat 26 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 49 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Sodium 976 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams
CREAMY PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER
This cauliflower pasta recipe was given to me by friends in Sweden. It is one of my husband's all-time favorite meals and is often requested by friends.
Provided by abraundmeier
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian Main Dishes Pasta
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place cauliflower into a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove cauliflower with a strainer, reserving the cooking water in the pot.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower florets and red pepper flakes; saute until browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Add heavy cream; cook until reduced by half, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring the cauliflower cooking water back to a boil. Add farfalle and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
- Add tomatoes to the cauliflower sauce; cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup Parmesan cheese to the cauliflower sauce; cook and stir until melted, about 1 minute more.
- Combine pasta and sauce; toss until well coated. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 789.8 calories, Carbohydrate 51.1 g, Cholesterol 202.3 mg, Fat 60 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 15.7 g, SaturatedFat 36.7 g, Sodium 380.3 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER-PARMESAN BUTTER
A simple, vegetable-packed meal that will get dinner on the table quickly and make everyone in the family happy. Creamy butter is loaded with cauliflower and salty Parmesan cheese, then blended smooth, making it perfect for picky vegetable eaters.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings, plus additional cauliflower-Parmesan butter (about 8 tablespoons)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside. Reserve the pot.
- Meanwhile, pulse the cauliflower, Parmesan, garlic, shallot, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until finely chopped. Add the butter and continue to process, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until well combined.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of the cauliflower-Parmesan butter in the reserved pasta pot over medium heat. Add the pasta and stir until combined, thinning it out with the reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed. Divide among plates and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Tightly wrap the remaining cauliflower-Parmesan butter in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER RIGATONI PASTA
Rigatoni pasta in a creamy cauliflower sauce served with crisp, golden garlic breadcrumbs is an easy, delicious vegetarian dinner recipe.
Provided by Alida Ryder
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large, deep pan or skillet, add a few teaspoons of olive oil then add the onion.
- Sauté until soft and translucent then add the garlic, thyme and chilli flakes. Cook for another minute then add the chopped cauliflower.
- Sauté until the cauliflower starts to soften then pour in the stock or water.
- Season with salt and pepper then reduce the heat and partially cover with a lid. Allow the cauliflower to cook until completely soft.
- Pour in the cream, allow to simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- In a frying pan set over medium high heat, melt the butter.
- Add the garlic and breadcrumbs then cook, tossing regularly, until the breadcrumbs are crisp and golden.
- Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.
- Once boiling, add the rigatoni and cook for 9-11 minutes, or until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of cooking water then drain.
- Toss the pasta with the cauliflower sauce and add a splash of the cooking water, if necessary.
- Serve the creamy cauliflower rigatoni in bowls and top with the crispy breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 592 kcal, Carbohydrate 106 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 22 mg, Sodium 72 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 7 g, UnsaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
Tips:
- Choose the right type of cauliflower: A head of cauliflower that is compact and heavy for its size will have the best flavor and texture.
- Roast the cauliflower before adding it to the pasta: Roasting the cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a slightly caramelized flavor.
- Use a high-quality pasta: The type of pasta you use will make a big difference in the final dish. Choose a pasta that is made from high-quality durum wheat and that has a good texture.
- Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is pasta that is cooked until it is firm to the bite. This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy when it is added to the sauce.
- Make sure the sauce is thick enough: The sauce for this pasta should be thick enough to coat the pasta and vegetables without being too heavy.
- Add fresh herbs and spices to taste: Fresh herbs and spices can help to brighten up the flavor of the dish. Some good options include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder.
Conclusion:
This creamy pasta with cauliflower is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
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