Easy, Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

Cauliflower alfredo sauce and pasta in a bowl

Meaningful Eats

Easy, Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

6 servings

Try this creamy, cauliflower alfredo sauce for an easy, healthy meal everyone will love! It's easy-to-make with real ingredients. Easily made dairy-free!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Author Erin Collins

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup chopped cremini mushrooms optional
2 cloves garlic minced
1 head cauliflower chopped roughly into 2-inch pieces
2 cups chicken stock plus more to thin if needed
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 teaspoon tamari (or soy sauce) optional for more flavor
1/2 cup parmesan cheese optional, dairy-free if needed!
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

In a medium saucepan or dutch oven, heat the butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and mushrooms and cook until softened, 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the cauliflower and chicken stock.
Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer then cover. Cook covered for 10-15 minutes, until the cauliflower is very soft.
Place the cashew in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with water. Microwave for 3 minutes on high to soften. Drain and rinse the cashews.
Place the cashews in a high-speed blender with 1/2 cup of water (or you can use 1/2 cup chicken stock). Blend until completely smooth.
When the cauliflower is cooked, pour the vegetable mixture into the blender. Carefully blend on low until the mixture is totally smooth.
Pour back into the pan and add the soy sauce and Parmesan cheese, if using. Season to taste with more salt if needed and plenty of freshly cracked pepper. Serve over your favorite pasta and enjoy!

Notes

RECIPE NOTES

Be sure to soak the cashews before blending! This is an essential step that makes for a creamier cheese sauce and silkier texture.

Parmesan and soy sauce/tamari are definitely optional, but they do enhance the flavor of this creamy white sauce. I recommend using the Parmesan if the recipe doesn't need to be dairy-free.

Serve this creamy cauliflower Alfredo sauce with your favorite pasta dish, or with spaghetti squash. I like to cook up al dente gluten-free pasta using Jovial Foods Gluten-Free Egg Noodle Pasta. I often add sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, and grilled chicken.

You can double the sauce and freeze half for later. It reheats very well.

Nutrition