> Skip to content

Recipe  •  21 July 2023

 

Cauliflower-Garlic Sauce

A decadent sauce that pairs well with any pasta.

When I make fresh pasta with my family, this is the sauce we use most often. It’s simple, comes together quickly, and tastes great, which is exactly what you’re looking for after allt hat kneading and rolling. This sauce uses a big spoonful of pasta water, the starchy, salty water that develops after the pasta cooks in it. Pasta water adds a richness to any sauce, helping to thicken it; it’s also a key player in getting the sauce to adhere to the noodles.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 - 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for the pasta water
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 large cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 1 pound (454 g) pasta of choice
  • ½ cup (60 g) grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

METHOD

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 8 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic just starts to brown, about 1 minute.
  4. Stir in the cauliflower. Cover the pan and cook until the cauliflower is soft and tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. When the water is boiling, add the pasta. Cook according to recipe or package directions, then drain, reserving some of the pasta water.
  6. Add ¼ cup (60 ml) pasta water to the cauliflower and stir. Add the cooked pasta to the pan. Add the Parmesan, then mix everything together until the cheese melts (see Tip).
  7. Serve with additional Parmesan sprinkled on top if desired.

Tip: If you’re having trouble mixing everything in the pan, transfer to a large bowl.

Feature Title

More features

See all recipes
Recipe
Pasta Spirals

Get artistic with your pasta!

Recipe
Beet Pasta Dough

Give your pasta dough a new colour, texture and flavourful dimension

Recipe
No-churn Matcha Ice Cream

There’s no need for an ice cream maker with this simple recipe for No-churn Matcha Ice Cream from Nigella Lawson’s Simply Nigella book. Perfect served with a chocolate brownie.

Recipe
Air Fryer Cookie Dough Breakfast Bars

The perfect breakfast to batch for the week ahead and pack for on-the-go eating, these chocolate chip-studded oat bars from are a much more satisfying option than shop-bought cereal bars.

Recipe
Jamie Oliver’s Steak and Sticky Aubergine Salad

This colourful rice noodle salad with tender steak and sticky gochujang aubergine makes a quick and tasty dinner.

Recipe
Shortcut Meatball Bake

A healthy and fuss-free take on a meatball bake, this orzo dish makes a comforting dinner perfectly paired with a fresh salad.

Recipe
Strawberry Pudding Pots

Chia seeds and Greek yogurt bring protein, fiber, and healthy fats to this naturally sweet, satisfying dessert.

Recipe
Katsu Chicken Curry

When I go to a certain restaurant, I have to order the katsu curry, with a number of small plates of course. I like serving this with some cucumber, pickled onions and a bit of soy sauce. Divine.

Recipe
Spiced Fish Tacos

Everyone loves tacos, but they aren’t the most natural weight-loss food. By pairing white fish with a juicy mango salsa, this recipe gives us the best of both worlds – it’s filling and tastes superb!

Recipe
Matcha Made in Heaven Muffins

These muffins are edible poetry. The earthy elegance of matcha meets the sweet tang of raspberries and the creamy allure of white chocolate in a muffin that’s as sophisticated as a first date at a five-star teahouse.

Recipe
Gluten-Free Gone Bananas Bread

They say bananas are nature’s perfect snack, so clearly this is the perfect bread.

Recipe
Apple Breakfast Crumble

A healthy, easy breakfast crumble from Filling Meals by Lindsay Wilson.

Looking for more recipes?

See all recipes
penguin pop image
penguin pop image