Shells With Cauliflower And Cheese Recipes

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.

BAKED PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

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

CAULIFLOWER AND SHELLS WITH WHITE CHEDDAR DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Steam cauliflower florets until cooked thoroughly but still slightly firm (about 6 minutes). Set aside.
• Boil pasta until al dente; drain. Mix with cauliflower in a large serving bowl.
• In a medium sauce pan, cook diced onion in olive oil over medium high heat until translucent (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add pieces of butter and stir until melted.
• Add flour, salt and pepper to butter and onions; stir and mix thoroughly for about one minute (You can add more butter if the mixture is too "sticky").
• Add milk and half and half to the sauce pan; bring sauce to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce begins to thicken (4-6 minutes).
• Remove sauce from heat. Add white cheddar and American cheeses and stir to melt. Once melted, add parmesan cheese and fresh dill and stir to combine.
• Pour cheese sauce over pasta and cauliflower and toss to coat.
• Enjoy :).

SHELLS WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

Steps:

• 1 Pour the oil into a skillet large enough to hold the cooked pasta. Add the onion and cook over medium heat 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and salt to taste. Cover and cook 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender. Stir in the parsley and black pepper to taste. 2 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons of salt, then the pasta. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, tender but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. 3 Add the pasta to the skillet with the cauliflower and stir well over medium heat. Add some of the cooking water if needed. Add the cheese and toss again with a generous grinding of black pepper. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SHELLS AND CHEESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees Chop cauliflower into florets and place on a baking sheet Drizzle with olive oil (I used less than 1/4 cup worth) Sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and use hands to toss and combine Roast cauliflower for 20 - 30 minutes, checking 2-3 times to flip/stir, until slightly blackened on the edges While cauliflower is roasting, cook pasta according to package instructions (I did not salt my pasta water) In a large sauce pan, add mozzarella, parmesan, milk, and cornstarch Heat to medium and stir for 5 - 10 minutes, until it forms a thick cheese sauce Once sauce is done, add in cooked pasta and roasted cauliflower and stir to combine Salt and pepper to taste if necessary (I did not add any additional to mine) Serve immediately