Ingredients
- 1/4 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 medium sweet onions, cut into medium dice
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into medium florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound rigatoni, cooked al dente
- 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serving suggestion: loaf of Italian bread with butter
Directions
In a large nonstick, deep-sided saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until just starting to get soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and stir well. Cover and lower the heat, letting the cauliflower steam until almost fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the cover; raise the heat to medium to evaporate most of the cooking liquid. Add a splash more olive oil and the garlic and brown over medium-high heat until the cauliflower is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the pasta and toss together to combine.
Add the bread crumbs and cheese and stir well to coat, slightly browning the crumbs, about 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add more cheese, if desired. Serve with crusty Italian bread and butter.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
Photo: Pasta a la Mama Recipe

















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By ivanhoe9
on May 24, 2012
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OK! Tried this one last night as part of my "taking over the kitchen from the wife in retirement" projects and it was a hit!!
Recipe very easy to follow my only trouble was to cut some ingredients for two servings and using a 10" saute pan which was a bit too small. (Served two fine..not much waste.
I cut the pasta by 1/2 the onions to 1 and the garlic to 1 glove. I also cut the bread crumbs to 1/2 cup and watched as it was added as it seemed to be getting too dry.
I added the Parrmigiano-Reggiano "by eye" so that it would not get too heavy...that worked out fine.
Only critique was that it might have been a bit too dry, so next time I might add a splash of oil or even some dry white wine (sounds like I know what I'm doing...eh? next time.
This is a keeper!
Thank you Joanne!
By mvpados5_12664299
mineola, 72
on May 09, 2011
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This has always been a favorite of mine at Hildebrandt's. I was so happy to see it recently on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Now I have the recipe! If you like cauliflower you'll love this dish.
Maureen from Mineola
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