Pasta and Cauliflower

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and flavorful Pasta and Cauliflower recipe—an inventive combination of tender pasta and golden, garlic-infused cauliflower. Perfectly cooked florets are married with al dente pasta in a skillet, tossed with olive oil, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese for a comforting, textured dish that's both simple and satisfying. A hint of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley offers a vibrant finishing touch. Ready in just 35 minutes and packed with wholesome ingredients, this recipe is ideal for busy home cooks seeking an easy vegetarian dinner that doesn't skimp on taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams Pasta (e.g., penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
• 1 medium head Cauliflower
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and cut the cauliflower into small florets.

Step 2

Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot of water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the remaining water and set the pasta aside.

Step 4

While the pasta is cooking, mince the garlic cloves. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.

Step 6

Add the cooked cauliflower to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic oil. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, breaking up some of the cauliflower florets with the back of a spoon.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the mixture.

Step 8

Stir in the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and mix well.

Step 9

Serve the pasta and cauliflower warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(995.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1719.4

Total Fat 75.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 80mg	0%
Sodium 6102.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 202.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.5g	0%
Total Sugars 19.9g
Protein 74.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1083.3mg	0%
Iron 10.1mg	0%
Potassium 1610.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.1%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 45.2%