Easy Creamy Cauliflower Alfredo (Printable)

A light, velvety pasta featuring a wholesome cauliflower sauce for guilt-free comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets (approximately 1.5 lbs)
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 ounces fettuccine or linguine

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional 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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add cauliflower florets, garlic cloves, and chopped onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until cauliflower is very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
02 - Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender, leaving the cooking water in the pot for pasta preparation.
03 - Add butter, Parmesan cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired to the blender. Blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add a splash of reserved cooking water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
04 - In the same pot with reserved cooking water, add dried pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining through a colander.
05 - Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour the cauliflower Alfredo sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat all strands, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve desired creaminess.
06 - Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Divide into serving portions and garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and creamy while keeping your conscience clear about what's actually in the bowl.
  • Your kitchen fills with the most comforting aroma while the whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes.
  • You'll surprise yourself by how this converts even the vegetable skeptics at your table into converts.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on the cooking time for the vegetables—under-cooked cauliflower will never blend into that silky texture you're after, and you'll taste graininess instead.
  • That pasta water you reserved is pure starch gold; it's what transforms a thick sauce into something that glides across your noodles, so keep it nearby and use it generously.
03 -
  • The starchy pasta water is non-negotiable for that silky, restaurant-quality texture—never drain pasta straight into the colander without saving some of that liquid gold first.
  • Adding the sauce to hot pasta instead of the other way around helps it coat more evenly and prevents clumping, making everything feel more luxurious on the plate.
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