PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER AND OLIVES

Pasta with Cauliflower and Olives image

Incredibly simple pasta with cauliflower, but very flavorful. Reheats well.

Provided by cofarb

Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pound penne pasta
½ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped, or to taste
1 ½ cups chopped black olives
1 tablespoon shredded basil leaves
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste

Steps:

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender but not mushy, 4 to 6 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
While pasta boils, heat olive oil in another large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and saute briefly, 1 to 2 minutes. Do not brown. Add chopped olives. Saute to heat through, 3 to 4 minutes. Add basil and black pepper.
Add steamed cauliflower to the olive mixture. Mix well. Mash cauliflower slightly with a potato masher, leaving some florets intact. Serve over drained pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 501.3 calories, Carbohydrate 63 g, Cholesterol 0.7 mg, Fat 23.9 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 356.3 mg, Sugar 4.9 g