Creamy Pasta With Cauliflower Recipes

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER PASTA WITH PECORINO BREAD CRUMBS

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.

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER-PARMESAN BUTTER

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

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.