Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (152)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(152)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 35 min

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Ingredients

1 pound whole-wheat penne rigate
Salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, cracked from skin and sliced
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 head cauliflower, stem removed and chopped
1 cup chicken stock
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
3/4 cup grated Romano, 3 generous handfuls
Salt and black pepper

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta and cook to al dente. Drain and reserve 2 ladles of pasta water.

While water is coming up to a boil and pasta cooks, make sauce. Heat a deep skillet over medium heat with extra-virgin olive oil. Add garlic and cook 3 minutes, then remove. Add onions and cook 5 minutes then add cauliflower, chicken stock and the rosemary. Cover the pan and cook 15 minutes. Uncover the sauce, add 1 to 2 ladles of pasta water and mash the cauliflower with the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher. Add the pasta and cheese to the cauliflower and toss to combine. Season the dish with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Maya Brooklyn, NY 08-21-2009
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Don't add the additional water!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

After reading the reviews, I did a couple things differently to counter the "bland" comments and they worked. I added red... pepper flakes, I seasoned it with salt AND lemon pepper, and I found that I had plenty of liquid from the broth and didn't need more. The family (hubby who turned his nose up from the get go, and a picky 2 year old) loved it!!Read more
recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Stephanie River Grove, IL 08-09-2009
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Add some anchovy or pancetta
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Our cousin's wife is from Sicily and makes a very similar recipe for cauliflower pasta sauce. I often make this because my... Italian husband has acid reflux and needs a sauce without tomato for his pasta. We also want to eat healthy and add more veggies into our diet. I fooled my kids the first time I made this by telling them it had only parmesan cheese (not cauliflower) in the sauce. They loved it! However, I do add additional ingredients. I start with finely chopped anchovy or pancetta and sautee these in the olive oil before adding garlic and onion. I use a combination of dry white wine and chicken broth for the liquid. My cousin's wife also adds a tablespoon of tomato paste to the cauliflower mixture. I like to grate a good parmesan or romano on top. These might be the missing ingredients many have mentioned since cauliflower alone can be bland. I have made it without the anchovy/pancetta and agree, it can be bland.Read more
recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Teresa Arvada, CO 06-28-2009
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I love RR's recipes....but NOT this one!
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

My husband still remembers this meal as my ONLY culinary failure ever. I was excited to try it, but it was pretty unpleasant.... I made it according to the recipe and it was just...strange. The texture was odd, the taste was off, and my husband couldn't even eat it...and he's NOT picky! I heated some up for leftovers the next day and they tasted better than they did the first day. However, due to my husband's reaction, I will never be attempting this recipe again. I have no idea what could be done to save this recipe, except to cut out the cauliflower....which is the whole point of the recipe! Sorry, Rachael!Read more
recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Jerri Liberty Hill, TX 02-18-2009
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Suprisingly Delish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I was a little unsure about a pasta sauce based on cauliflower, but we loved this! I did add more garlic, some onion and red... pepper flake as others have suggested. Also about 1/2 cup white wine. I was also concerned about the rosemary, but it is the key! I'll try zucchini and or mushrooms in it next time to get more veggies. Thanks Rach'!Read more
recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Betsy Columbus, OH 01-18-2009
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"Honey, I think this is the best meal you've ever made."
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

That's what my boyfriend said after dinner tonight. I was looking for an easy sauce to pair with small shell pasta. I found... this recipe and decided to half it, and give it a try. I did tweak it though, and it turned out great! I made half of a tube of spicy Bob Evans' sausage (breakfast sausage), and threw that on top when the pasta mix was done. It set the flavor of the rosemary very nicely. I also used the chicken stock and the cheese liberally, to maintain moisture and flavor. I made the pasta, green beans, toast and three slices of tomato as a garnish and to have something juicy to put on the toast if it was too dry. I would definitely make this dish again!Read more
recipe Cauliflower Sauce with Whole-Wheat Penne
Kitt Ashburn, VA 01-11-2009
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bland, bland, BLAND!
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

Love Rachael Ray's recipes usually- not this one! Was really excited to make this, as it looked like a healthy and very... different kind of recipe- but the family was sadly disappointed. Very bland and frankly a pretty odd texture. I'd skip the effort and try another recipe. Read more