Skip to main content

Whole-Wheat Penne Pasta & Cauliflower

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

Salt
1 pound whole-wheat penne
1 head of cauliflower
2 tablespoons EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)
1/4 pound pancetta, cut into fine dice (optional)
1 onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
Black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese or super-sharp white cheddar cheese

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, salt the water, and cook the pasta to al dente.

    Step 2

    Trim the cauliflower and chop it into small florets. Heat the EVOO in a large skillet with a lid or in a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat.

    Step 3

    If using pancetta, cook it for a couple of minutes to crisp the pancetta and render its fat.

    Step 4

    Add the onions, rosemary, and garlic, then stir and add the florets. Season with salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg. Cover the pan and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Step 5

    When the cauliflower is just about tender, remove the lid, add the wine, and cook down for a minute or so. Add the stock, reduce the heat, and cover until the pasta is ready.

    Step 6

    Drain the pasta, toss with the cauliflower mixture and cheese, and adjust the seasonings to taste.

    Step 7

    Garnish shallow bowls of pasta and cauliflower with a sprig of rosemary.

Rachael Ray's Look + Cook
Read More
Like no-brainer corn salad and Spanish frittata.
The secret to juicy grilled chicken, a sheet-cake swap for banana pudding, and more reasons to light up the grill and have people over all summer long.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Lime juice, fish sauce, peanuts, and plenty of herbs.
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.