Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower, Parsley, and Breadcrumbs

(326)
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

Easy prep cuts stress in the kitchen. Here, corkscrew pasta is tossed with oven-roasted vegetables and topped with toasted breadcrumbs.

Ingredients

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • 1 head cauliflower (about 2 ½ pounds), cored and broken into small florets

  • 1 medium red onion, halved and cut into thin wedges

  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • 4 slices white sandwich bread

  • 12 ounces cavatappi or other short pasta

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving (optional)

  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss cauliflower, onion, and garlic with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast on lower rack until lightly browned and tender, 20 minutes, tossing once.

  2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine bread and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; pulse until coarse crumbs form. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake on upper rack until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes, tossing once.

  3. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot. Add cauliflower mixture, Parmesan, and parsley; toss to combine. Tossing pasta, gradually add enough pasta water to form a thin sauce that coats pasta. Serve topped with breadcrumbs and, if desired, more Parmesan.

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Cook's Notes

Cauliflower tastes surprisingly nutty and sweet when roasted. Break it up into small florets to help it cook quickly.

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