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Image of spicy cauliflower pasta with red chili and golden breadcrumbs in a small bowl.

Spicy Cauliflower Pasta (No Roasting, Just 10 Minutes!) Poverina Style.

This 10-minute spicy cauliflower pasta is bold, comforting, and made entirely on the stovetop with just a handful of pantry staples. Quick, easy, and delicious!
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Author: Miranda | My Anosmic Kitchen
Prep 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings :4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Pasta pot
  • 1 Skillet
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 board
  • 1 Kitchen knife

Ingredients
  

  • 300 grams penne pasta, or any other similar pasta
  • 500 grams whole cauliflower
  • 3 red fresh chilis, see notes for option
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt, to cook the pasta
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs + more for serving
  • 2 slices bread, cubed

Instructions 

  • 1. Prep the cauliflower: Cut into chunky florets and rinse well.
    500 grams whole cauliflower, 300 grams penne pasta, or any other similar pasta
  • 2. Boil the water: Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add salt. Add the cauliflower to the pot, stir once and add the pasta, stir and cover with a lid. Once the rapid boil is up again, you can remove the lid and cook the pasta according to packet instructions plus 2 minutes.
    salt, to cook the pasta
  • 3. Make the bread-chili mix: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the bread pieces and fresh chilli. Toast on medium-high heat until the bread pieces turn golden.
    1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 slices bread, cubed, 3 red fresh chilis, see notes for option
  • 4. Combine breadcrumbs: Add breadcrumbs.
    1/2 cup breadcrumbs + more for serving
  • 5. Mix it all together: Transfer the cooked pasta and cauliflower (a little at a time) into the skillet. Mix well, adding pasta water as needed to help it all come together.
  • Serve with extra toasted breadcrumbs.

Notes

Expert Tips!

  • If you are using dried chilli please add the chilli only after the bread pieces have turned golden brown to avoid the chilli burning.
  • To increase the flavour, you can use toasted breadcrumbs ahead.
  • For an ideal cooking time, just add 2 minutes to the pasta packet instructions.

FAQ’s

How do you know when the pasta is ready?

When the cauliflower is cooked, then the pasta will be done. Remember that the pasta needs more time than the cauliflower to cook but if you cut the cauliflower into chunky pieces then it will stand up to the pasta cooking time.

Can you make the cauliflower pieces smaller?

Sure you can, but you will probably end up with most of it mashed by the time the pasta is cooked.

How much Extra virgin olive oil is needed?

Enough to coat the bread. Bread absorbs a lot of oil, so don’t be shy!

To Fry the bread, is Extra virgin olive oil the only option?
It's advisable to use olive oil for an enhanced taste however any other oil (canola, sunflower etc.) works. 

Recipe Notes

  • Salt your pasta water well—it’s the only seasoning you’ll need.
  • Adjust the chili to your heat preference.
  • Use fresh bread for rustic, chunky breadcrumbs, or ready-made for a finer topping.
  • You can use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to keep the recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Serving: 1personCalories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 204mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 915IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 3mg
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