Description
This creamy Alfredo sauce is made with cauliflower and Parmesan cheese, offering a delicious and lighter alternative to traditional Alfredo. Blended to silky perfection with garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and butter, it pairs beautifully with pasta and can be easily adjusted to your desired consistency using reserved pasta water.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Dairy
- 12 ounces cauliflower florets (from 1 small cauliflower)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Oils & Condiments
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 to 1½ cups reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Cook 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 the cauliflower well and transfer to a blender.
- Blend Sauce: To the blender, add the grated Parmesan cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Consistency: When tossing the Alfredo sauce with cooked pasta, add additional reserved pasta cooking water (up to ½ cup) as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to reserve some pasta cooking water before draining your pasta; its starch helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste after blending.
- This sauce works wonderfully with any pasta shape, from fettuccine to penne.
- For a creamier version, you can add a splash of heavy cream or milk when blending.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
