Description
A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender cauliflower cooked with cherry tomatoes, green olives, and spicy rose harissa. This dairy-free wholemeal pasta recipe is infused with Mediterranean ingredients and fresh parsley, delivering a wholesome, easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small cauliflower, broken into small florets, stalks and leaves finely chopped
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- small handful of parsley, finely chopped
Pantry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 25g pitted green olives, halved
- 2 tbsp rose harissa
- 150g dairy-free wholemeal pasta of your choice (such as pappardelle; gluten-free if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare and cook the cauliflower: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower florets, stalks, and leaves to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and fry for 8-10 minutes, occasionally shaking the pan to ensure even cooking, until the cauliflower is lightly browned and softened.
- Add tomatoes and tomato purée: Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato purée and the halved cherry tomatoes. Cover the pan again and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to burst and create a flavorful sauce.
- Incorporate garlic, olives, and harissa: Add the crushed garlic cloves, 25 grams of halved green olives, and 2 tablespoons of rose harissa to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is fragrant and well combined.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 150 grams of dairy-free wholemeal pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about a mugful of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan with the cauliflower and tomato mixture. Stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the finely chopped parsley over the pasta before serving for a fresh finish. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the dairy-free wholemeal pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta if required.
- Adjust the amount of rose harissa to your spice preference; add less for a milder dish.
- For added protein, consider topping with vegan parmesan or toasted pine nuts.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: cauliflower pasta, harissa pasta, vegan pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, dairy-free pasta, wholemeal pasta, spicy pasta, olive pasta
