Name: Cauliflower Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 to 4 ounces thick-cut sliced bacon, cut into half inch pieces -; Extra virgin olive oil -; 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs -; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt -; 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley -; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme -; 2 cups thinly sliced red onion (1 large red onion) -; 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves) -; 4 cups small bite-sized cauliflower florets (see How to Cut and Core Cauliflower ) -; 1/2 pound cavatappi, gemelli, or fusilli dry pasta -; 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest -; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese -

Cauliflower Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

Recipe information

Cooking:

10 min.

Servings per container:

Source:

More details

Ingredients for - Cauliflower Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

1. 3 to 4 ounces thick-cut sliced bacon, cut into half inch pieces -

2. Extra virgin olive oil -

3. 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs -

4. 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt -

5. 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley -

6. 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme -

7. 2 cups thinly sliced red onion (1 large red onion) -

8. 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves) -

9. 4 cups small bite-sized cauliflower florets (see How to Cut and Core Cauliflower ) -

10. 1/2 pound cavatappi, gemelli, or fusilli dry pasta -

11. 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest -

12. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese -

How to cook deliciously - Cauliflower Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

1. Stage

Boil the water: Place a large pot of salted water (2 quarts of water, 1 tablespoon salt) on to the stove to boil. While the water is heating, continue with the recipe.

2. Stage

Cook the bacon: Place the bacon pieces in a large sauté pan on medium heat. Cook until lightly browned and much of the fat rendered, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan to a bowl, retaining the fat in the pan.

3. Stage

Brown the panko: While the bacon in step 2 is rendering, brown the panko in a separate skillet on medium high heat, stirring occasionally. When most of the panko is browned, remove from heat and place in a bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, the parsley and thyme. Set aside.

4. Stage

Cook the onions and garlic: Increase the heat to medium high. You'll want about a tablespoon to a tablespoon and a half of fat in the pan. If your bacon has not yielded that much fat, then add some olive oil to the pan. Add the sliced red onion. Cook until lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an minute more. Remove the onions and garlic from the pan, adding them to the bowl with the bacon.

5. Stage

Sauté the cauliflower: Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and heat on high heat. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to coat with the olive oil. Brown on high heat for 5 minutes, and then lower the heat, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the cauliflower florets are cooked through and tender.

6. Stage

Cook the pasta: About the same time that you start cooking the cauliflower, add the pasta to the boiling pasta water. Cook the pasta at a rolling boil for 8 to 10 minutes, until cooked through, but still a little firm to the bite, al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.

7. Stage

Complete the dish: Add the bacon and onions into the pan with the cauliflower. Stir in the pasta, lemon zest, grated Parmesan. Drizzle in another tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the pasta and cauliflower if it seems a bit dry. Serve topped with toasted seasoned breadcrumbs.