Cauliflower Pasta With Ricotta Cheese Recipes

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER

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.

CAULIFLOWER PASTA WITH RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta.
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter and melt. Add onions and garlic to pan, and season with salt, pepper and bay. Stir and cook 8-10 minutes to soften.
• Add wine to the pan, stir 1 minute then add stock.
• Arrange cauliflower over onions and add crushed red pepper, lemon zest and rosemary to the pan.
• Cover and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You don't want the cauliflower too mushy.
• Drop pasta in boiling water after vegetables have been cooking 3-4 minutes. Cook pasta to al dente.
• Add ladleful of starchy pasta cooking water to the vegetables.
• Drain pasta and toss it into the pot with sauce. Stir in ricotta cheese, thyme and grated Pecorino. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve pasta in shallow bowls.

CRUSTY BAKED SHELLS & CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Fill a large pot with water, add 2 tablespoons salt, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente, according to the instructions on the package. Since it will be baked later, don't overcook it! Drain and pour into a very large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat, add half the cauliflower in one layer, and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the florets are lightly browned and tender. Pour the cauliflower, including the small bits, into the bowl with the pasta. Add 3 more tablespoons of oil to the saute pan, add the remaining cauliflower, cook until browned and tender, and add to the bowl.
• Add the sage, capers, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to the bowl and stir carefully. Stir in the Fontina. Transfer half of the mixture to a 10 x 13 x 2-inch rectangular baking dish. Spoon rounded tablespoons of ricotta on the pasta and spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top. Combine the panko, Pecorino, parsley, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned and crusty on top. Serve hot.

CRUSTY CAULIFLOWER AND RICOTTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook garlic for 30 seconds, DO NOT BROWN.
• Add in tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in cauliflower and toss to coat with the tomato mixture.
• Pour in several tbsp of water and cover pan.
• Cook for 7 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender.
• Take pan off heat and let cool to room temperature or warm.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Butter a casserole dish.
• Beat eggs in a large bowl, beat in ricotta cheese, milk, Parmesan, parsley, nutmeg, cayenne, pepper, and muenster.
• Stir in cauliflower mixture.
• Spread into casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs
• Bake 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.