Description
A vibrant and flavorful Olive, Cauliflower & Harissa Pasta that combines roasted cauliflower florets with spicy rose harissa and tangy olives, tossed with dairy-free wholemeal pasta for a wholesome, vegan-friendly meal bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
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 & Condiments
- 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 the Cauliflower: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower florets, chopped stalks, and leaves. Season with salt and pepper, cover the pan, and fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the cauliflower is lightly browned and softened.
- Add Tomatoes and Tomato Purée: Stir in the tomato purée and halved cherry tomatoes. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to burst and create a saucy base.
- Incorporate Garlic, Olives, and Harissa: Add the crushed garlic, halved green olives, and rose harissa to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture becomes fragrant and flavors meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the dairy-free wholemeal pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a mugful of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the frying pan with the cauliflower and tomato mixture along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir well to combine and heat through. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Scatter the finely chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- The recipe is naturally vegan and can be gluten-free if gluten-free pasta is used.
- Adjust the amount of harissa to control the spice level.
- Reserve some pasta water to help create a silky sauce texture when combining pasta and vegetables.
- Use fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finishing touch.
- This dish works well with any wholemeal or gluten-free pasta shape such as pappardelle, fusilli, or penne.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: olive, cauliflower, harissa, pasta, vegan, Mediterranean, dairy-free, wholemeal pasta, spicy pasta, tomato sauce
