Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Gorgonzola Sauce

This simple pasta dish was absolutely delicious!

1/2 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
olive oil
dried basil, rubbed, to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 T butter
1/4 cup gorgonzola, crumbled plus additional for garnish
1/2 cup half and half or cream
1/4 cup crushed tomatoes
splash brandy (optional)
2 cups small pasta (I used rotini)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 400°.

Steam cauliflower til just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from steam basket to a baking pan. Drizzle lightly with oil. Sprinkle generously with basil and salt and pepper. Roast another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d561/d363/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and melt. Slowly stir in gorgonzola. Reduce heat to low and stir til gorgonzola has completely melted. Stir in cream, tomato and brandy and heat through.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package. Drain and return to hot cooking pot.

Toss gorgonzola sauce with cooked pasta, parmesan and nuts. Serve immediately with additional gorgonzola.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d560/d363/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

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