Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

pasta with cauliflower

Recipe by
Debbie Harris
Roselle Park, NJ

I first had this dish when taking a Sicilian cooking class. It was love at first bite! I have since made it many times for family and friends and it always gets rave reviews. Don't let the addition of the anchovies discourage you. They melt into the olive oil leaving a nutty flavor behind -- no taste of fish at all. I never told my husband or children about the anchovies because they would have not tried it (they dislike fish). After eating it and raving about how delicious it was, I did confess.

yield 6 to 8
prep time 20 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For pasta with cauliflower

  • 1
    head of cauliflower
  • 1
    tablespoon of salt
  • 1
    pound of uncooked pasta (i prefer penne, but you can use whatever you like)
  • 4
    cloves of garlic
  • 1
    2 ounce can of flat anchovy filets
  • 1/3
    cup of pignoli (pine) nuts
  • 1/3
    cup of raisins
  • 1/4
    teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 1/2
    cup of extra virgin olive oil

How To Make pasta with cauliflower

  • 1
    Wash and separate the cauliflower into florets. Bring four cups of water and salt to boiling. Add cauliflower and cook for approximately ten minutes and remove to a bowl. Cook your pasta in the same water. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
  • 2
    While your pasta is cooking, saute the garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Add the anchovies and stir until they melt into the oil. Add the pignoli and raisins, mix, add your reserved pasta water and the cooked cauliflower. Turn the heat off until you are ready to add the pasta.
  • 3
    Place your pan over a low flame and add the pasta, toss well to mix the flavors.
  • 4
    ENJOY!
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