Cauliflower, Bacon and Onion Pasta

By kitschyguy

Ingredients

• 1 Cauliflower head, washed and divided into florets
• 2 Yellow Onions, sliced
• 1 lb Bacon (regular salt), cut into one inch pieces
• 1 lb Penne - Rigate or Zita
• 1/3 or more cups of shredded Pecorino Romano
• 1/2 tbsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 90mins

Preparation

Step 1

Simultaneously, boil a large pot of water with added salt and begin frying the bacon in large frying pan on medium high heat. When the bacon is partially cooked but still has about 1/4 fat left turn off the heat and drain the excess bacon fat. Return the pan to the heat and add the onions, cooking until they are caramelized and the bacon is crispy. Drain excess bacon fat.

The bacon and onions will cook nicely together and each become browned and caramelized. Do not drain the bacon fat at this stage.

In the boiling water, add the pasta and cook for a few minutes, then add cauliflower for last 5 minutes of cooking.

Strain the water but reserve some of the liquid.

Add the cauliflower and pasta to the frying pan and some of your reserved liquid to both deglaze the pan and create a creamy sauce.

Add 1/2 tsp Black Pepper. Add cheese in two separate batches while cooking off the excess liquid. Add pepper and salt to taste.

Serves 4-6 depending on how hungry you are.