Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Pancetta

Things are a trifle discombobulated around here at the moment with our new addition to the family. He's a darling boy and a ton of fun to have around but our routine mundane boring life has completely changed and it is unlikely it will ever be the same again.

To say I'm a tad preoccupied would be putting it mildly so this simple pasta dish met the requirements for a quick and easy dinner.

Cauliflower blanched quickly then roasted in the oven in a yummy creamy spicy bechamel sauce and finished with the addition of some quick cooking fresh pasta from Trader Joe's turned what is ordinarily a side dish into the main course. Of course it also gave us the opportunity to use some of our homemade pancetta - brag, brag.

I bet you're thinking- "does she ever buy anything that isn't from Trader Joe's" and the answer would be of course I do; however, they do have some incredible items on their shelves. The Perline Pasta purses with Proscuitto I used looks like this and can be found in the refrigerator section close to where they keep their dips and sauces (and other pasta choices as well). Of course a spinach or meat filled tortellini or ravioli would work just as well, or even penne or rigatoni. I'm just being a pain in the rear and rubbing in the fact that we have a Trader Joe's a mere 12 minute drive away from us.

Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Pancetta (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis)

1 large head of cauliflower, cored and divided into florets

4 ounces pancetta, diced

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup grated parmesan

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg

1 – 12 ounce package fresh tortellini or ravioli, cooked per package directions

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350. Heat large pot of boiling water and blanch cauliflower florets for 2 minutes. Remove to a large casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside. In a medium sauté pan, cook pancetta until crisp. Remove cooked pancetta to a small bowl and add butter to drippings in sauté pan. When butter has melted add flour and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and cook until thickened. When thick stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Add pasta to roasted cauliflower. Dust with bread crumbs. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until casserole is bubbling. Serves 4 to 6. Download Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Pancetta

A year ago - Moo Shu Pork with Mandarin Pancakes

 

Comments

[pam]

I love Trader Joe's and wish, wish, wish that we had them here.

[June]

Don't worry Pam. I'll be getting my come uppance one of these days.

[Lea]

OK - I just looked it up and there is one Trader Joes in Mobile and one in Houston - those are the closest to me - both are over 5 hours away - waaaaaaaaaaa and we are not on the list of stores opening soon....
OK - I feel better now that I have whined a bit...
That pasta dish looks totally yummy! I so want to make me some pancetta!

[Lorraine]

I am with Pam...wishing I had one closer, but this looks like a yummy dish and thanks for giving suggestions for alternate pasta choices. Hope you are having tons of fun with your new baby. Can't wait to meet the whole family next year.

[June]

Lea - I wish I could start a "mail order" TJ's! The homemade pancetta is really fabulous. We'll be making another batch pdq too.

Lorraine - I can't wait for you to meet everyone too...only 10 more months.