Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Pasta (Printable)

Silky pasta with roasted cauliflower, garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs for a comforting meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 6 cloves garlic, peeled
03 - 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)

→ Dairy & Liquids

05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/4 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings & Garnish

09 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
13 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, toss cauliflower florets, garlic cloves, and chopped onion with olive oil, salt, and black pepper; spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cauliflower is golden and tender.
04 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
05 - Transfer roasted cauliflower, garlic, and onion to a blender. Add heavy cream, milk, parmesan, and half of the reserved pasta water; blend until smooth. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency.
06 - Return drained pasta to the pot, pour in the sauce, and toss gently to coat. Warm over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, adding extra pasta water if a silkier texture is desired.
07 - Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes if using.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Comforting vegetarian dish
  • Perfect for weeknights
02 -
  • For vegan option substitute cream and milk with unsweetened plant-based alternatives and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan
  • Add sautéed mushrooms peas or spinach for extra veggies
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly
  • Flip the cauliflower halfway through roasting for even cooking
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