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Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 143 reviews

A creamy, flavorful Fettuccine Alfredo with a unique twist incorporating cauliflower for added nutrition and a velvety texture. This recipe combines tender pasta with a luscious homemade sauce made from cauliflower, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh lemon for a light yet indulgent Italian-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

  • 12 ounces cauliflower florets (about 1 small cauliflower)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 16 ounces fettuccine pasta
  • 1 to 1½ cups reserved pasta cooking water

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the cauliflower: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and boil until fork tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and transfer the cauliflower to a blender.
  2. Prepare the sauce: To the blender with cauliflower, add the Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
  3. Cook the pasta: In the same or separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1½ cups of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  4. Blend the sauce: Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the blender with the cauliflower mixture. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the drained fettuccine to a large bowl or skillet. Pour the blended sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually stir in the remaining ½ cup of reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved.
  6. Finish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

  • Using reserved pasta water helps loosen and emulsify the sauce, ensuring it clings beautifully to the fettuccine.
  • For a vegan variation, substitute Parmesan with vegan cheese and use plant-based butter.
  • Make sure the cauliflower is well-drained to avoid a watery sauce.
  • Fresh lemon juice adds a bright note; feel free to adjust the quantity to taste.
  • This sauce can be prepared in advance and reheated gently before tossing with pasta.

Keywords: Fettuccine Alfredo, Cauliflower Alfredo, Creamy Pasta Sauce, Italian Pasta Recipe, Healthy Alfredo Sauce

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/cauliflower-fettuccine-alfredo-recipe/