Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Cauliflower and Green Olives

This simple and slightly spicy vegetarian supper holds its own as the star or a side. Toothsome and flavorful whole wheat spaghetti give great texture to a rich mix of cauliflower and red peppers, topped with toasty almond slivers and a bright parsley-olive blend. Serve with additional Pecorino Romano on the side.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 855 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup pitted green olives
• ½ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, or to taste
• ¾ cup slivered almonds
• 1 (2 pound) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• ¾ pound whole wheat spaghetti

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread almonds and sesame seeds on a baking sheet.

Step 2

Bake almonds and sesame seeds in the preheated oven until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, pulse olives and parsley in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add cauliflower and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add bell pepper; cook until cauliflower is golden brown, about 8 minutes more. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from the heat.

Step 5

Bring 6 to 8 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return to the pot.

Step 6

Stir 1/4 cup pasta cooking water into the cauliflower mixture. Boil for 1 minute to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Add olive mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Pour cauliflower mixture over the spaghetti and toss well. Add Pecorino Romano and toss again. Moisten spaghetti with more cooking water if it appears dry. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and sesame seeds and serve immediately.