Easy Creamy Cauliflower Alfredo (Printable version)

Light and velvety pasta with smooth cauliflower sauce, perfect for guilt-free comfort food.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets (approximately 24.7 oz)
02 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled
03 - 1 small yellow onion, chopped

→ Dairy & Alternatives

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
06 - 1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)

→ Pasta

07 - 12.3 oz fettuccine or linguine

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Garnishes

11 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
12 - Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets, garlic cloves, and chopped onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until cauliflower is very tender.
02 - Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender, reserving the cooking water.
03 - Add butter, Parmesan cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Add a splash of reserved cooking water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
04 - In the same pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
05 - Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour cauliflower Alfredo sauce over pasta and toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired creaminess.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A light and velvety pasta dish with a healthy, no-cream sauce.
  • Vegetarian and low-fat, making it a nutritious alternative to traditional Alfredo.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in under 40 minutes for any busy evening.
02 -
  • Always reserve a cup of pasta water before draining; it is the secret to getting the sauce to perfectly coat the noodles.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
  • Check labels for allergens, especially when choosing your pasta and cheese alternatives.
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