Best 6 Spaghetti Sauce With Cauliflower Recipes

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Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, including spaghetti sauce. It is a healthy and affordable alternative to traditional pasta sauce, and it is also a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables into your diet. With its mild flavor and texture, cauliflower can easily be blended or pureed to create a creamy and flavorful sauce. Additionally, cauliflower is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to any meal.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH CAULIFLOWER SAUCE



Pasta Primavera with Cauliflower Sauce image

If you're not using a high-protein pasta, you can double the protein per serving by adding 8 ounces cooked and sliced chicken breast. Double the sauce in Step 1 to keep the dish creamy.

Provided by EatAndRun

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Pasta Primavera Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cauliflower florets
¾ cup vegetable broth
½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
⅓ cup water
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
6 ounces multigrain spaghetti, uncooked
4 cups broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into bite-size strips
2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes. Uncover and let cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor. Add cheese, water, and black pepper. Cover and pulse until smooth.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli and bell pepper the last 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.
  • Return pasta mixture to pot and stir in cauliflower sauce. Heat through, stirring in reserved cooking water (if needed) to reach desired consistency. Garnish with basil, zest (if using), lemon juice, and additional cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 calories, Carbohydrate 47.7 g, Cholesterol 7.2 mg, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 10.8 g, Protein 14.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 313.9 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH CAULIFLOWER



Spaghetti Sauce with Cauliflower image

Serve this sauce over your favorite pasta. This recipe goes back to the Great Depression. My large Italian family gathered in the kitchen and tried many ways to prepare Sunday dinner on a tight budget. My friends and family couldn't believe that there is no ground beef in this sauce. I bring it into work the next day and share. Co-workers love it.

Provided by impellizzeri kitchen

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

¼ cup olive oil
6 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), chopped
3 cups chopped cauliflower
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or soup pot, and cook the garlic, onion, and cauliflower, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is browned and tender, about 30 minutes. Pour in the basil, black pepper, and crushed tomatoes, and simmer until the sauce is thickened and the flavors have blended, about 30 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Carbohydrate 26.6 g, Fat 7.7 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 401 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

CAULIFLOWER ALFREDO SAUCE



Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce image

Provided by Katie Lee Biegel

Categories     condiment

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 pound fettuccine noodles
1 cup 2 percent milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, lightly smashed
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan
Olive oil, for searing the shrimp
15 to 20 peeled medium shrimp
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook at a low boil until very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the cauliflower with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain in a colander, reserving the boiling water for the pasta.
  • Add the fettuccine to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions (usually about 10 minutes).
  • Make the sauce while the pasta cooks. In a blender, combine the cauliflower with the milk and puree until smooth.
  • In a large skillet over medium-low heat, heat the butter and garlic until the butter melts. Add the cauliflower puree and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the garlic. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan.
  • Heat a separate skillet over medium-high heat and add some olive oil. Sear the shrimp briefly on both sides until just cooked through.
  • Use tongs to remove the pasta from the water and transfer to the skillet with the sauce. Add 1/3 cup pasta water. Turn the heat back to medium and toss to combine until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Add the shrimp and garnish with the parsley.

SAUSAGE-CAULIFLOWER SPAGHETTI



Sausage-Cauliflower Spaghetti image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt
12 ounces spaghetti
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
12 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
6 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small head cauliflower, broken into small florets
1 bunch scallions, chopped
1 cup grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook as the label directs. Reserve 2 cups cooking water, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the sausage into the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Clear a space in the pan, add the garlic and cook until just golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook until the edges are browned, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the reserved cooking water, cover and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 8 more minutes. Uncover and boil over high heat until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 2 more minutes.
  • Add the spaghetti to the skillet along with the scallions. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Toss for a minute or two to wilt the scallions and coat the pasta with the sauce, adding up to 1 cup cooking water, if needed, to loosen. Remove from the heat, sprinkle with the cheese and toss. Divide among shallow bowls and drizzle with more olive oil, if desired.

SPAGHETTI WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER, TOMATO SAUCE AND OLIVES



Spaghetti With Roasted Cauliflower, Tomato Sauce and Olives image

Perhaps because cauliflower is on the bland side and Mediterranean black olives have such a pronounced flavor, the two go beautifully together. In Italy, Greece and in North Africa, you find the triumvirate of cauliflower, tomatoes and olives in all sorts of dishes.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 medium head of cauliflower, broken into florets
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with juice
Pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt
freshly ground pepper
12 kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half lengthwise
3/4 pound spaghetti
2 ounces either feta (crumbled), ricotta salata, Parmesan, or a mix of Parmesan and Pecorino (grated)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower. Blanch for two minutes and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain and blot dry. Cover the pot; you'll use the water again for the pasta. Quarter the cauliflower florets, toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt generously. Transfer to a baking sheet, place in the oven and roast 30 minutes, stirring from time to time, until tender and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a wide, nonstick frying pan or a 3-quart saucepan, heat the remaining oil over medium heat and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute. Add the tomatoes, sugar, thyme and salt, and bring to a simmer. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower and the olives, and simmer a few minutes more. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Bring the water back to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until the pasta is al dente, usually about 10 minutes. Drain and toss with the cauliflower-tomato mixture. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and serve at once.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 482, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 73 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 677 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER, SPICY TOMATO SAUCE AND CAPERS



Pasta With Cauliflower, Spicy Tomato Sauce and Capers image

This dish is made with perciatelli, hollow long noodles that also go by the name bucatini. Their texture is robust, supporting a robust sauce like this one. Because the noodles are hollow, they cook much more quickly than spaghetti, so keep your eye on them so they don't get too soft. If you can't find perciatelli, spaghetti makes a fine substitute.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 small cauliflower or 1/2 large cauliflower, broken into florets about 1 pound
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes with juice, pulsed a few times in a food processor or mini processor
Pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
3/4 pound perciatelli (bucatini)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 ounces pecorino, grated (1/2 cup), or 1 ounce each pecorino and Parmesan

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you core the cauliflower and break it into florets. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and blanch the cauliflower for 5 minutes, or until tender. Use a skimmer or strainer to scoop the cauliflower from the water and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and chop the florets into small pieces. Keep the water at a simmer.
  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet and add the garlic and chili flakes. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir in the puréed tomatoes, a pinch of sugar, and salt to taste. Add the capers and cauliflower and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Bring the water in the pot back to a boil and add the perciatelli. Cook al dente, usually about 7 or 8 minutes. Add about 1/2 cup of the pasta water to the pan with the cauliflower and stir. Drain the pasta and add to the pan, along with the parsley and the pecorino. Stir together and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 477, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 72 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 659 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Cauliflower: Select a fresh, firm head of cauliflower with tightly packed florets. Avoid any that are discolored or have signs of bruising.
  • Chop the Cauliflower Finely: To ensure a smooth sauce, chop the cauliflower into small, even pieces. You can use a food processor or a sharp knife for this task.
  • Roast the Cauliflower: Roasting the cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and enhances its flavor. Roast it until it's tender and slightly caramelized.
  • Use a High-Quality Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a rich, fruity flavor to the sauce. Choose a good quality oil that is flavorful and not too bitter.
  • Simmer the Sauce: Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld and develop. Cook it over low heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings accordingly. Add salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices to your liking.
  • Serve with Your Favorite Pasta: This cauliflower sauce is versatile and can be served with a variety of pasta shapes. Choose your favorite type and cook it according to the package instructions.

Conclusion:

With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and hidden vegetable goodness, this cauliflower sauce is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional tomato-based sauces. It's perfect for busy weeknights, as it can be prepared in under an hour. Serve it with your favorite pasta, vegetables, or even as a dip for appetizers. This versatile sauce is sure to become a family favorite. Remember, the key to a great cauliflower sauce is to roast the cauliflower until it's tender and slightly caramelized. This brings out the cauliflower's natural sweetness and gives the sauce a rich, flavorful base. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create a sauce that suits your taste preferences.

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