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A plate of cauliflower and pasta in a bang bang sauce.
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Bang Bang Pasta with Cauliflower and Peppers

Cauliflower is roasted in either the oven or air fryer, tossed with pasta, serrano and red bell peppers, and garlic in a Bang Bang sauce for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
Course Pasta
Cuisine Any
Keyword bang bang pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 353.3kcal
Author Susan Pridmore

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dried farfalle pasta
  • 4 cups cauliflower florets cut them so the florets are bite-size
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 Serrano pepper, with seeds and pith removed, minced (or less for less heat)
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Bang Bang Sauce (recipe below)
  • ⅔ cup pasta water
  • ½ cup toasted breadcrumbs (optional)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Bang Bang Sauce

  • ⅓ cup cream cheese
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅔ cup Thai chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha

Instructions

  • Pasta. Cook the pasta in well-salted water according to the package directions.
  • Cauliflower. Preheat the air fryer, toaster oven, or oven to 400˚F. If using either the toaster oven or regular oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    Toss the cauliflower florets in 2 tablespoon of olive oil and arrange on the air fryer tray or prepared baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, and roast until tender.
    Air Fryer Roasting Time: 10 minutes.
    Oven and Toaster Oven Roasting Time: 15-20 minutes.
  • Peppers. Sauté the Serrano pepper and red bell pepper in 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until tender and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  • Bang Bang pasta. When the pasta is done, remove ⅔ cup of the pasta water, set it aside, drain the pasta, and return the pasta to the pot.
    Add the cauliflower, peppers, garlic, and all of the Bang Bang Sauce ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to toss all of the ingredients together over low heat until the cream cheese melts into a sauce.
    Stir in half of the pasta water. Once it's incorporated, add more as desired.
  • Serve warm topped with toasted breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 353.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.4g | Protein: 7.3g | Fat: 24.9g | Saturated Fat: 6.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10.5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 20.8mg | Sodium: 1056.9mg | Potassium: 415.1mg | Fiber: 3.1g | Sugar: 7.2g | Vitamin A: 814.2IU | Vitamin C: 54.5mg | Calcium: 100.2mg | Iron: 1.2mg