Cauliflower, sausage and breadcrumbs make an easy and hearty pasta dish in this Cauliflower, Sausage and Breadcrumbs Pasta. Post may contain affiliate links.
Cauliflower, Sausage and Breadcrumbs Pasta
I love the combination of pasta and cauliflower. They go so well together and I love it for a meatless dish, like this Sicilian Style Spaghetti. This cauliflower, sausage and breadcrumbs pasta is similar to that dish, but carries the flavors in a whole other direction. The addition of Italian Sausage and tomatoes amp up the flavor.
I found this recipe at The Kitchn. One of the things you may notice about the dish is that it serves 8-10. One of the reasons is because even though you are using a smaller amount of Italian sausage, you are using the whole head of cauliflower. The best part about that is that this dish reheats beautifully. We had it for dinner two nights in a row and then again for lunch and we never grew tired of it! It's that good.
I used to be one of those people who would ignore the breadcrumbs in a recipe. I figured, "how much can breadcrumbs bring to the table?" The answer is - a lot! They add crunch and texture and a subtle flavor. My favorite are Panko Bread Crumbs. I buy a big box, and store it in smaller sealed bags in the freezer.
You aren't going to believe this, but I actually forgot the cheese when I made this. I know. I am as shocked as you are! It was still so good, so if you don't like cheese (though I don't know if I can be your friend), feel free to omit it!
Cauliflower, Sausage and Breadcrumbs Pasta
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook for about 8 minutes. Add the garlic cloves and saute until fragrant about a minute. Add the sausage, breaking up the large clumps as it browns.
- When the sausage is almost completely cooked, add the cauliflower and salt and pepper again. Try and have as much cauliflower as possible touching the surface of the skillet so you get good browning. Cooking, stirring occasionally until the cauliflower is brown in places.
- Turn up the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Stir up any brown bits on the bottom. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.
- While the cauliflower is simmering, cook the pasta per directions and drain. Run the breadcrumbs under the broiler (keep you eye on them) or toast in a dry skillet.
- Spoon the pasta into the skillet (if there is room, otherwise toss everything in a large bowl). Add the cheese and stir.
- Serve topped with the breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
Michelle says
Oh Yum! I've been looking for different ways to use cauliflower lately. This pasta with the sausage sounds so good! Great idea. I get so bored with just plain old steaming cauliflower.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I was halfway down reading about your recipe when I had to pin it to my "Recipes I'm Dying to Try" Board. It sounds delicious and we are avid fans of Panko Breadcrumbs. We purchase the huge bags but we use them up before they can go stale. And breadcrumbs is a very popular addition to Italian cuisine. Can't wait to taste this.
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Brian Jones says
What a wonderful recipe, I am a cauliflower fiend and always up for trying a new recipe with the stuff. Definitely making this.
Miz Helen says
What a great dish! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
swathi says
Looks delicious love that one bowl pasta, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning
Dee says
I use panko whenever I can -- love it! This sounds really good, and I love that you can cut down the amount of meat and still feed a crowd. Thanks for sharing.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
There were a lot of breadcrumbs on pasta in Italy-- it was amazing!
Marjie says
Sounds like a great dish. Pasta dishes are the best!
Olivia @ livforcake says
I don't think I've ever had breadcrumbs with pasta, but now am seriously wondering why not -- it sounds like a perfect pairing! This dish looks absolutely delicious!
Catherine says
Dear Pam, this looks wonderful! I love the cauliflower...what a satisfying meal dear. xo, Catherine
Stephanie says
This looks really good and like something my kids would love, too. I love panko and we also make our own crumbs with some of our favorite breads. I'll definitely be making this.
Teresa says
This sounds absolutely delicious!
If you have time, come and share this post over at the Really Crafty link party that is live right now! (http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/03/the-really-crafty-link-party-9.html).
Liz says
Sounds good, Pam. Thank you and have a great week.