Campanelle with Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic, and Walnuts
Italian-inspired Medium

Campanelle with Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic, and Walnuts

Roasted cauliflower wedges and garlic create a sweet, nutty base for this textured pasta

vegetarianpastadinnerbakeditalian-inspired
β€” (0 ratings)
⏱️ 45 minutes 20 minutes prep · 25 minutes cook
🍽️ 5 Serves
550 Calories
13g Protein
66g Carbs
22g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

High-heat roasting transforms mild cauliflower into an intensely flavored, sweet, and nutty center for pasta. Slicing the cauliflower into wedges rather than florets maximizes surface area for browning, while a simple roasted garlic and lemon dressing provides a bright finish.


Instructions

1

Adjust the oven rack to the lowest position, place a large rimmed baking sheet on the rack, and heat the oven to 450 degrees.

πŸ’‘ Preheating the baking sheet ensures the cauliflower starts searing the moment it hits the metal.

2

Place the garlic heads on a square of aluminum foil, drizzle with a small amount of oil, and wrap the foil tightly to create a sealed packet.

3

In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower wedges with oil, salt, pepper, and sugar until evenly coated.

πŸ’‘ The small amount of sugar jump-starts the browning process during the high-heat roast.

4

Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the cauliflower in an even layer. Place the foil-wrapped garlic on a corner of the sheet and roast until the cauliflower is tender and the bottoms are deeply browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.

5

While the vegetables roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the campanelle until al dente, then reserve 1 cup of the cooking water before draining the pasta.

6

When the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted cloves from their skins into a small bowl and mash them into a smooth paste. Whisk in the lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and the remaining teaspoon of olive oil.

πŸ’‘ Mashing the garlic thoroughly ensures it incorporates evenly into the sauce rather than leaving large clumps.

7

Combine the drained pasta, roasted cauliflower, garlic mixture, Parmesan, and parsley in the pot. Toss gently to combine, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the noodles. Season with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice to taste. Serve hot, topped with toasted walnuts.

πŸ’‘ The pasta water is key for emulsifying the roasted garlic and cheese into a cohesive sauce.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

🧊
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Refrigerate up to 3 days.

What substitutions can I make?
  • campanelle: farfalle or fusilli
Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me β†’
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