Savory Penne Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower & Mediterranean Flavors
Experience a delightful combination of roasted cauliflower and hearty penne pasta in this vibrant dish that bursts with Mediterranean flavors. Roasting the cauliflower enhances its natural sweetness and adds a delicious depth to the dish, complemented by sweet red peppers and briny olives. Tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette and fresh basil, this penne with roasted cauliflower can shine as a stunning main course or serve as a delightful side for any beef or pork entrée. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner, this recipe will leave everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cauliflower
1 large head (Trimmed and broken into florets)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (Divided)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning cauliflower and to taste)
Penne pasta
1/2 lb (Cooked until al dente)
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (For the dressing)
Garlic
1 clove (Minced)
Black pepper
To taste (For the dressing and to taste)
Sweet red peppers
2 (Roasted, peeled, and diced)
Black olives
2 tablespoons (Chopped)
Fresh basil
1/4 cup (Shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Trim the large head of cauliflower, breaking it into small, bite-sized florets.
3
In a large mixing bowl, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the cauliflower florets and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss well to coat evenly.
4
Spread the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and lightly browned.
5
While the cauliflower roasts, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
6
Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set aside.
7
In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and black pepper to taste. Gradually whisk in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to create a simple vinaigrette.
8
In a large serving bowl, combine the roasted cauliflower, diced sweet red peppers, chopped black olives, shredded fresh basil, and cooked penne pasta.
9
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and gently toss everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
10
Serve the dish at room temperature, garnished with extra basil if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Penne Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower & Mediterranean Flavors?
It is a vibrant pasta dish featuring roasted cauliflower, sweet red peppers, briny olives, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1/2 lb of penne pasta cooked until al dente.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat or animal-derived protein products.
What temperature should the oven be for roasting the cauliflower?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long does the cauliflower need to roast?
The cauliflower should be roasted for 25 to 30 minutes until it is tender and lightly browned.
What are the ingredients for the vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette consists of red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided between roasting and the dressing.
What kind of peppers are used?
The recipe calls for 2 sweet red peppers that have been roasted, peeled, and diced.
Can this be served as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as a stunning main course or as a side dish for beef or pork.
How should the cauliflower be prepared before roasting?
The cauliflower should be trimmed and broken into small, bite-sized florets.
What kind of olives are recommended?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of chopped black olives.
What herb is used for flavor and garnish?
Fresh shredded basil is used within the dish and can be added as an extra garnish.
Should the pasta be served hot or cold?
This dish is best served at room temperature.
How much cauliflower is needed?
You will need one large head of cauliflower.
Do I need to stir the cauliflower while it roasts?
Yes, you should stir the cauliflower halfway through the roasting time.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How many cloves of garlic are in the dressing?
One clove of garlic, minced, is used for the vinaigrette.
Is there any salt used in the roasting process?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is drizzled over the cauliflower before roasting.
How much fresh basil is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of shredded fresh basil.
How do you cook the penne pasta?
Cook it in a large pot of boiling water according to the package instructions until it is al dente.
What type of vinegar is used?
Two tablespoons of red wine vinegar are used for the dressing.
What does roasting do to the cauliflower?
Roasting enhances the natural sweetness of the cauliflower and adds a delicious depth to the dish.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, Mediterranean-style dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, the instructions suggest tasting and adjusting the seasoning once the dish is tossed.
How do I assemble the final dish?
Combine the roasted cauliflower, peppers, olives, basil, and pasta in a bowl, then toss with the vinaigrette.
What is the texture of the pasta supposed to be?
The penne pasta should be cooked until it is al dente.
Is this dish easy to prepare?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories?
The provided data shows null values for calories, fat, and other nutritional metrics.
How should the cauliflower be arranged on the baking sheet?
It should be spread in a single layer to ensure the florets are not overcrowded.