AB Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Entrees

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower (broken into bite-size pieces)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)

1 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 lb. penne or rigatoni pasta

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Directions

Crank oven to 400 degrees F and give it least 20 minutes to get good and hot.

Toss the cauliflower with oil and 1 teaspoon salt in a 10″ cast iron skillet and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, carefully stirring halfway through.

Remove skillet from oven and place over medium heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic and red pepper flakes and occasionally, breaking up the tomatoes as they soften. Most of the tomato liquid has cooked out, about 5 minutes, remove from heat.

Drop the uncooked pasta into a large saucepan and fill with enough cold water to cover the noodles by 1 inch. Stir in remaining salt and place over high heat. When the water comes to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and stir once a minute for 5 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

Use a spider to transfer the cooked pasta into the skillet with the cauliflower mixture followed by a quarter cup of the pasta water. Stir in Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, and top with bread crumbs.

Return the skillet to the oven and cook another 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Remove and sprinkle with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if that’s your jam.

Cool for 5 minutes before serving or you’ll burn your face off.

Nutrition

2021.07.06 - 14pts on Blue