Quick Weeknight Dinner – Vegetarian or Not!
This quick, easy weeknight pasta is a rich, meatless meal with all the umami flavor you could want. Or add in the bacon for an extra treat!
There is nothing like the taste of caramelized cauliflower – one of my favorite vegetables, I am always trying to BE BRAVE and experiment with new and different ways to prepare this cruciferous wonder! This one was a winner!
The smoky oil gives you great bacon-y flavor without the meat along with some sweetness from the Date Balsam vinegar drizzled on the bottom of each plate. Make the meaty flavor even more intense by substituting with the Date Bacon vinegar (although this is not vegetarian). MMM. MMM. MMM!
Enjoy this 30-minute delish dinner and happy cooking!
Smoky Pasta with Caramelized Cauliflower
Ingredients
(* indicates my preferred ingredients – see notes for alternatives)
4-5 tablespoons O&V Smoky Garlic oil *
4 cups cauliflower florets, cut into small bite size pieces
4-6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
Sprinkle of crushed red pepper, to taste
12 oz penne pasta or spaghetti
¼ – ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for boiling pasta
½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
1 bunch parsley, chopped (about 6-7 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
Drizzle of O&V Date Balsam vinegar or Date Bacon vinegar *
5 slices thick cut bacon, chopped (optional)
Preparation
Prepare a large baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 450F. Toss the cauliflower and garlic in 2 tablespoons of smoky oil, and season generously with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast in the oven for 18-20 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point.
If using bacon, cook until crisp and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of cooking water. Return the empty pot to the stove.
Add the remaining 2-3 tablespoons smoky garlic oil to the pot on the stove. Add the cooked pasta and roasted cauliflower to the pot. Add half the cooked bacon (if using). Cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
Remove from heat, stir in the butter, ¼ cup EACH of grated cheese and parsley, and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Add more pasta water as needed to moisten and create a slight sauce.
Drizzle the Date Balsam (vegetarian option) or Date Bacon vinegar (non-vegetarian option) on the serving plates, and then pile the pasta and cauliflower over the vinegar. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, parsley and bacon (if using). Serve immediately.
Serves 4
Active time 30 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes
Notes
* The Smoky Garlic oil and the Date Balsam vinegar are essential items to provide that smoky and bacon-y taste without using real meat. Intensify that meatiness by using the non-vegetarian Date Bacon vinegar if you prefer. Either way this a fulfilling meatless dish with all the umami flavors of smokiness and bacon.
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Categories: Entrée, Easy Weeknight Meal, Quick Dinner, Cauliflower, Date Bacon Vinegar, Smoky Garlic Oil, Smokey flavors, Vegetarian, Meatless Meal,
