Penne and Cauliflower with Mustard Breadcrumbs

Elevate your weeknight pasta game with this irresistible recipe for Penne and Cauliflower with Mustard Breadcrumbs! Perfectly al dente penne meets tender, blanched cauliflower in a cozy, cheesy combination, all brought to life with the crunch of golden, Dijon-infused breadcrumbs. The zesty lemon zest and gentle heat from red pepper flakes add bright and bold flavor, while fresh parsley ties it all together with a pop of freshness. This 40-minute, one-skillet wonder is a simple yet sophisticated meal, ideal for both casual dinners and entertaining. Whether you're looking for a vegetarian main or a creative pasta recipe, this dish is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 medium head cauliflower
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, cut the cauliflower into small florets. Add the florets to the boiling water during the last 3-4 minutes of pasta cooking time to blanch them. Drain and set aside with the pasta.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the panko breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crispy—about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mustard is evenly distributed through the breadcrumbs. Remove the breadcrumbs from the skillet and set them aside in a small bowl.

Step 5

Wipe the skillet clean and return it to medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mince the garlic cloves and cook them in the olive oil until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta and cauliflower to the skillet, tossing to combine. If the mixture seems dry, add some reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until a light sauce forms.

Step 7

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and top with the mustard breadcrumbs. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful and texturally balanced dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1044.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2609.9

Total Fat 116.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 142mg	0%
Sodium 5099.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 316.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.2g	0%
Total Sugars 12.8g
Protein 92.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1052.5mg	0%
Iron 17.9mg	0%
Potassium 2239.1mg	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: 39.1%

Protein: 13.7%

Carbs: 47.2%