Best 6 Pasta With Cauliflower And Pancetta Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with our pasta dishes that artfully blend the earthy notes of cauliflower and the savory richness of pancetta. From the classic Pasta with Cauliflower and Pancetta, a timeless combination that showcases the harmonious union of these two ingredients, to the innovative Pasta with Cauliflower Alfredo, a creamy and indulgent twist on a beloved classic, our recipes offer a diverse range of culinary experiences. Embark on a culinary journey where the delicate sweetness of cauliflower meets the smoky, salty depth of pancetta, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

**Pasta with Cauliflower and Pancetta:**
This classic dish epitomizes the culinary synergy between cauliflower and pancetta. Tender florets of cauliflower are roasted to perfection, caramelizing their edges and infusing them with a nutty sweetness. Pancetta lends its smoky, salty character, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Combined with al dente pasta, a rich sauce made from pancetta drippings, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, this dish is a comforting and satisfying meal.

**Pasta with Cauliflower Alfredo:**
Experience the velvety decadence of cauliflower Alfredo, a creamy and luxurious rendition of the classic Alfredo sauce. Roasted cauliflower is blended into a smooth and flavorful sauce, enriched with cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Pancetta adds a layer of savory depth, balancing the richness of the sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta, this dish is a delightful indulgence, perfect for special occasions or a comforting weeknight meal.

**Pasta with Cauliflower Pesto:**
Embrace the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our pasta with cauliflower pesto. Fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic are combined to create a vibrant and aromatic pesto. Roasted cauliflower florets add a touch of sweetness and texture, while pancetta contributes its signature smoky flavor. Served over al dente pasta, this dish is a delightful symphony of flavors that will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Italy.

**Pasta with Cauliflower and Sausage:**
Experience a hearty and flavorful combination in our pasta with cauliflower and sausage. Spicy Italian sausage is browned until crispy, releasing its savory juices. Roasted cauliflower florets add a tender and slightly sweet contrast. Combined with al dente pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, this dish is a satisfying and comforting meal that is perfect for a family gathering or a casual weeknight dinner.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PANCETTA, OLIVES AND CRISP PARMESAN



Roasted Cauliflower With Pancetta, Olives and Crisp Parmesan image

Studded with salty olives, pancetta and Parmesan that gets golden and crisp at the edges, this is roasted cauliflower at its brightest and most full-flavored. You can serve the caramelized florets either as a vegetable-based main dish or a hearty side to roasted meats or fish, or big bowls of pasta. The recipe calls for using a package of finely diced pancetta that practically melts into the sauce. But if you prefer a chunkier texture, you can dice it yourself into 1/2-inch cubes, and add them with the cauliflower. Or, to make this vegetarian, just leave the pancetta out.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     vegetables, side dish

Time 45m

Yield 2 main-dish servings or 4 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large head cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed and cut into bite-size florets (about 8 cups)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/3 cup olives, crushed, pitted and chopped
1 fat garlic clove, finely grated or minced
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more as needed
4 ounces pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/8-inch cubes
3/4 teaspoon cumin or caraway seeds
1/2 cup shredded (not ground) Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or mint leaves and tender stems, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well coated. Roast for 15 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together olives, garlic, lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt. Drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, whisking well.
  • After the cauliflower has roasted for 15 minutes, add pancetta and cumin seeds to pan and gently mix to combine. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes, until cauliflower is tender, the pancetta rendered, and cheese is golden brown and crunchy.
  • Spoon olive dressing all over roasted cauliflower while still hot and toss to combine. Taste, and add more salt, red-pepper flakes or lemon juice, if needed. Scatter parsley over the top before serving.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PARMESAN AND PANCETTA



Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan and Pancetta image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     appetizer

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 head cauliflower, cut into pieces (about 6 cups)
4 ounce piece pancetta, diced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 clove garlic, whole
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Blanch the cauliflower for 2 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking dish and let cool, about 5 minutes.
  • In a small skillet over medium-high heat, brown the pancetta. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir until combined. Continue stirring for 2 minutes to cook the flour. Slowly add the milk, stirring continuously until the milk has incorporated and there are no lumps. Add the garlic clove and red pepper flakes and stir the sauce over low heat until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon. Add the Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and the reserved pancetta. Stir to combine. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower to cover. Top with a sprinkling of bread crumbs.
  • Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cauliflower is cooked, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

BAKED PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE



Baked Pasta with Cauliflower and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1 quart milk, heated
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Pinch of nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 cups chopped onions
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (2 teaspoons dried)
1 large head of cauliflower, cut in florets
6 ripe tomatoes, chopped or 3 cups canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 pound medium pasta shells
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (2 1/2 ounces)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or mild provolone cheese (6 ounces)
Seasoned bread crumbs

Steps:

  • To prepare the Bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking or stirring constantly, until a smooth pasteis formed. Add the heated milk slowly, a cup at a time, continuing to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and let the sauce thicken further on low heat. Remove from heat and cover.
  • Saute the onions, garlic, and basil in oil. When the onions are translucent, add the cauliflower and saute for 5 minutes or more. Add the tomatoes and simmer until the cauliflower is tender.
  • Cook the pasta al dente and then drain.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the Sauteed vegetables, and the lemon juice. Mix in the Bechamel sauce. Put half of the pasta mixture in an oiled baking dish. Sprinkle on half of each of the cheeses. Add the rest of the pasta mixture and then the rest of the cheese. Top with seasoned bread crumbs and bake covered at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes and then uncovered for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER



Pasta With Cauliflower image

This dish is derived from a Marcella Hazan recipe. It's dead simple, and the cauliflower can be precooked a day ahead or so. Or, the whole thing can be made at once: cook the cauliflower in water, scoop it out and then, later, cook the pasta in the same water. It's already boiling, and you want the taste of the cauliflower anyway, so why not? The cauliflower gets cooked more, in a skillet with toasted garlic, so don't boil it to death, although you do want it to be tender. And in the original Minimalist recipe, from 2000, bread crumbs were added to the skillet along with the cauliflower, but since some pasta water is usually added to the skillet to keep the mixture saucy, the bread crumbs become soggy. Better, then, to stir the bread crumbs in at the very end. They should be very coarse and ideally homemade, and if they're toasted in olive oil in a separate skillet before you toss them in, so much the better.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, easy, main course

Time 40m

Yield 3 or 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 head cauliflower, about 1 pound
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound penne, fusilli or other cut pasta
1 cup coarse bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Trim the cauliflower and divide it into florets. Add about a tablespoon of salt to the water and boil cauliflower until it is tender but not mushy. Using a slotted spoon or strainer, remove the cauliflower and set it aside. When it is cool enough to handle, chop it roughly into small pieces.
  • Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet over medium-low heat, sauté garlic in olive oil, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden. Start cooking pasta in same pot and same water as was used for the cauliflower.
  • When the garlic is ready, add the cauliflower to skillet and turn heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally. When pasta is just about done - it should be 2 or 3 minutes short of the way you like it - drain it, reserving about a cup of cooking liquid.
  • Add pasta to skillet containing the cauliflower, and toss with a large spoon until they are well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with just enough pasta water to keep the mixture moist but not soupy. When the mixture is hot and the pasta is tender and nicely glazed, mix in the bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 686, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 112 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 21 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 678 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

CAVATELLI WITH PANCETTA & CAULIFLOWER



Cavatelli With Pancetta & Cauliflower image

Cavatelli Con Pancetta e Cavolfiore - what a wonderful way to prepare cauliflower! I am always looking for different ways of cooking cauliflower, this turned out better than expected! From Lidia Bastianich web site.

Provided by Manami

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

salt
8 ounces sliced pancetta, cut into 1-inchsticks (about 1-1/2 cups - 1/4-inchslices)
1 lb cavatappi pasta or 1 lb pasta shells
2 cups onions, diced (1/2-inch)
3 cups cauliflower, stalks removed, florets cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 head)
crushed hot red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups hot chicken stock or 1 1/2 cups canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumb (as needed)
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Steps:

  • Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta has rendered some of its fat and is lightly browned but still soft in the center, about 4 minutes.
  • Don't overcook the pancetta.
  • Stir the cavatelli into the boiling water.
  • Return to a boil, stirring frequently.
  • Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir the onions into the skillet and cook until barely wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is wilted and begins to brown, about 4 minutes.
  • Season lightly with salt and a little crushed red pepper.
  • Pour the chicken stock into the skillet, bring to a boil, and lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer.
  • Cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is reduced by about one-half, about 5 minutes.
  • If the skillet is large enough to accommodate the sauce and pasta, fish the pasta out of the boiling water with a large wire skimmer and drop it directly into the sauce in the skillet.
  • If not, drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and pour in the sauce.
  • Bring the sauce and pasta to a boil, tossing and stirring to coat the pasta.
  • Check the seasoning, adding salt if necessary.
  • Stir the bread crumbs, parsley, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pot.
  • Cook, stirring and tossing the pasta, until the sauce is lightly thickened.
  • Serve at once & enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 345.3, Fat 1.9, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 248.7, Carbohydrate 68.4, Fiber 4.7, Sugar 5.3, Protein 13.3

PASTA WITH BREAD CRUMBS, PANCETTA, AND CAULIFLOWER



Pasta with Bread Crumbs, Pancetta, and Cauliflower image

Another pasta with vegetable that my family loves!! Simple, and delicious..what else can I say. Recipe from - Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, a cookbook by chef Lidia Bastianich. Photos are my own

Provided by Carol Perricone

Categories     Pasta

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 10

olive oil, extra virgin
8 oz sliced pancetta
1 lb pasta of choice (should be shells or bow-ties, to catch sauce
1 1/2 c onions, diced
1 cauliflower, small florets
crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1 1/2 c chicken stock, unsalted (may used chicken broth)
1/4 - 1/2 c dry bread crumbs
fresh parsley (may use dried)
salt

Steps:

  • 1. Cook pasta according to package directions; set aside
  • 2. Heat 2 tblsp. oil in a large skillet, over medium heat, add pancetta and cook, stirring, until it is lightly browned, but not overcooked...about 4 minutes.
  • 3. Remove pancetta from pan, add onions and cook about 2 minutes. Stir in cauliflower florets, cook until lightly browned, 4 minutes. Season lightly with a little salt and a little crushed red pepper flakes, (Go easy on salt, as pancetta is salty).
  • 4. Pour chicken stock into skillet, bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until vegetables are tender, and liquid is reduced by about one-half....should take about 5 minutes.
  • 5. Drain pasta, and combine with sauce and vegetables in skillet. Bring to a simmer, tossing to coat pasta with sauce. Add breadcrumbs and pancetta, stir, and serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh cauliflower, pancetta, and herbs will give your pasta the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the cauliflower: Cauliflower should be cooked until it is tender but still has a little bit of bite to it. If you overcook it, it will become mushy.
  • Use a good quality pancetta: Pancetta is a key ingredient in this dish, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for pancetta that is dry-cured and has a nice, smoky flavor.
  • Add the pasta water to the sauce: The pasta water will help to create a creamy and flavorful sauce. Don't be afraid to add a little bit more if you need to.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, will add a nice finishing touch to your pasta dish.

Conclusion:

This pasta with cauliflower and pancetta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables! With its creamy sauce, smoky pancetta, and tender cauliflower, this pasta dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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