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Cauliflower Cacio e Pepe is a Healthier Twist on Classic Comfort Food

Michael Symon's Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower.

Cacio e pepe deliciously demonstrates how a few basic ingredients can combine to become so much more than the sum of their parts. Cacio e pepe translates to “cheese and pepper” – and this super-popular dish is basically just that, bound together with a little water to create a silky sauce. Now, I know dairy and me don’t always agree, but this recipe manages to squeak by with just a handful of aged cheese. Here, we apply that delicious combination in a sauce for roasted cauliflower instead of the customary pasta, but this would be just as good on roasted broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini.

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Cauliflower Cacio e Pepe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Related: 10-Minute Spicy Sauteed Cauliflower and Chickpeas

Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a sheet pan with foil.

2. To prepare the cauliflower, remove the leaves and all but 1 inch of stem from the head. Place the head stem-side down on the cutting board. With a heavy, sharp knife, slice through the middle of the head to create two equal halves.

Related: Comforting Three-Cheese Cacio e Pepe in Spaghetti Squash Form

3. Drizzle the cauliflower on all sides with 2 Tbsp of the olive oil and arrange cut-side down on the sheet pan. Season with a few pinches of salt and twists of pepper.

4. Roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Flip the cauliflower and continue cooking for 15 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, set a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add ¼ cup water and 1 tsp black pepper and bring to a simmer. Add the butter and whisk to combine. Remove from the heat and whisk in the pecorino and remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil.

6. Top the cauliflower with the cheese sauce and serve.

Related: Coconut-Crusted Cauliflower Tacos

Book cover for Michael Symon's book

Reprinted from Fix It With Food: Every Meal Easy Copyright © 2021 by Michael Symon and Douglas Trattner. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House.

Fix It with Food: Every Meal Easy, Amazon, $42

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