Growing up, my younger brothers and I didn’t make dinner easy for our mom. We could agree on a very short list of menu items, including pizza, pasta and peanut butter sandwiches (white bread, hold the crust!). We ate more spaghetti with marinara sauce for dinner than anything else. It was the meal I made for myself when Mom made something I didn’t like (cough cough, steak).
This cauliflower and spaghetti dish is a throwback to my childhood dinners. These days, I opt for whole grain pasta because it keeps me feeling full for so much longer, and I like to add as much vegetables as pasta. I’ve been really into roasted cauliflower this winter and it’s the perfect, hearty and healthy addition to this classic comfort meal.
I’ve been tempted to sprinkle Parmesan over everything that enters my oven ever since I made Ashley’s Parmesan-crusted croutons, so I could resist adding a sprinkle to these cauliflower “steaks.” (By steaks, I mean long, thick slices of cauliflower.) Just a small sprinkling of Parmesan transforms into golden, bubbling goodness in the oven and elevates this simple, three-part dish to something special. Since this dish is so simple, the individual components become all the more important. You’ll want to choose high quality whole grain pasta and a fresh-tasting marinara sauce. They are not all created equally! I remember the first time I tried whole wheat pasta at my friend’s house in third grade. It was mushy and thick and I had the hardest time being a gracious dinner guest that night. Whole wheat pasta has come a long way since then. My favorite brand of whole wheat pasta is DeLallo, so I’m really excited to be working with them this year. If you’re still skeptical about whole grain pastas, I hope you’ll give DeLallo’s pasta a chance!
Craving more roasted cauliflower? Don’t miss my Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce, Lemony Roasted Cauliflower Risotto and Roasted Cauliflower (Four Ways!).
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DeLallo Foods and I received compensation for my participation. Opinions are my own, always. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who support C+K!
