Baked Macaroni and Cauliflower

Ingredients:
2 heads of cauliflower
Extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. of onion powder
1 tsp of pepper
Salt
2/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1 box of rigatoni
1 small bag of shredded mozzarella
Bread crumbs (optional)

Directions:
Cut cauliflower into small pieces and put into salted boiling water. Boil until very soft and tender. Drain the cauliflower. In a frying pan, heat olive oil and saute garlic. Add cauliflower, parsley, onion powder, and pepper. Cook until slightly browned. Mix together 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, 3/4 of the mozzarella cheese, and cauliflower. Toss with rigatoni. Place in a baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheeses on top. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 350 degrees, until cheese bubbles and browns.

*For a crispier dish, top with bread crumbs and additional cheese and oil before baking*

When I was younger, I used to help my grandmother make this dish. It was one of my favorites! She used to make it in the winter, particularly during Lent, when we could not eat any meat. When she passed away, my mom started making it as a way to honor her and continue the tradition. With Lent beginning soon, we decided to make it!

Submitted by Aurelia and Danielle