Creamy Cauliflower Bacon Cavatappi Food

CREAMY CAVATAPPI PASTA

Steps:

• Mince the garlic. Chop the cauliflower.
• Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cauliflower and saute for 4 minutes until lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the vegetable broth, garlic powder, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook 6 to 7 minutes on medium high heat until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is al dente (start tasting a few minutes before the package recommends: you want it to be tender but still a little firm on the inside). When the pasta is just about al dente, add spinach to pasta water in last 45 seconds (it only needs this long to cook). Then drain the pasta and spinach and return to the pot.
• When the cauliflower is cooked (in Step 3), carefully transfer the hot cauliflower and broth mixture to a blender. Blend on high until a smooth sauce forms. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and an additional 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and blend again.
• Once the pasta is done, pour in the cauliflower sauce. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes, the additional 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and if desired add salt or fresh ground pepper. Top with parsley and serve. Store leftovers refrigerated (see reheating instructions above.

CREAMY CAVATAPPI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook cavatappi according to package directions., Meanwhile, saute garlic in butter in a Dutch oven. Stir in flour and pepper sauce until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes., Stir in cheeses until melted; add green onions. Drain cavatappi; stir into cheese mixture., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, bacon and melted butter; sprinkle over top., Bake, uncovered, at 350° until bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with green onion and, if desired, pepper.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE WITH BACON AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Mix bacon, 1/2 cup cheese, and parsley in small bowl. Set aside for topping.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add 1 tbsp salt and cauliflower, cook until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer half to cutting board and roughly chop.
• Melt cream cheese on low heat. Stir in heavy cream and remaining 2 1/2 cups of cheddar, cook until starts to melt.
• Off heat stir in sour cream, cauliflower, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish, sprinkle with topping, and bake until brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring cauliflower and 1 in. of water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 6-7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well; set aside. , In another saucepan, saute garlic in butter for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Remove from the heat; stir in the cauliflower, bacon, salt, pepper and cayenne. Pour into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. , Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER & BACON GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the bacon for 5 mins until just starting to crisp. Add the onion and sizzle for 12 mins until soft and golden.
• Meanwhile, tip the potatoes into a large pan of water, making sure they are well covered. Bring to a gentle boil, then add the cauliflower and cook everything for 6-7 mins until both are tender. Tip into a colander and drain thoroughly.
• In a gratin dish, layer the potato and cauliflower, then scatter with bacon, onion and a small handful of cheese. Drizzle each layer with a little cream and season. Continue until all the layers are finished, pour over the remaining cream and scatter with the last of the cheese. Bake for 30 mins until bubbling. Remove from the oven and set aside for 1 min to rest. Serve straight from the dish with a crisp green salad.