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Home ยป Recipe Type ยป Pasta
5 from 2 reviews

Creamy Cauliflower Pasta (Parmesan Cheese Sauce)

20 minutes
cauliflowergarlic
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:4/12/22
Updated:6/11/24
Jump to Recipe

Making your weeknight dinner is a breeze with this quick & easy Creamy Pasta With Cauliflower! It is a delicious pasta meal made of rotini noodles and tender cauliflower florets coated in creamy parmesan cheese sauce!

creamy cauliflower and pasta in a pot.

Easy Cauliflower Pasta

This is one of my favorite cauliflower recipes! Tender cauliflower and rotini pasta is coated with a simple cream sauce. My kids always clean their plates with it’s cauliflower pasta night so you know it’s going to be good!

Creamy Cauliflower is easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Love cheesy cauliflower recipes? Me too! Try my Cauliflower Casserole with Cheddar Cheese, Cheesy Chicken and Cauliflower Casserole and Cheesy Cauliflower side dish too!

pasta and cauliflower in blue pot.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Rotini Pasta– I love how the thick cheese sauce clings to the dips and crevices of this type of pasta. It makes every mouthful such a delight! However, feel free to use other pasta types like spaghetti, linguine, farfalle, shells, penne, or even cheese tortellini.
  • Cauliflower– I used one medium-sized head cut into bite-sized pieces. I boiled them together with the pasta, but feel free to use steamed or roasted ones. 
  • Butter- will give the sauce a richer taste and a thicker, creamier consistency.
  • Garlic– two cloves are enough to give the pasta a savory taste. However, you can add more if you want your pasta on the garlicky side.
  • Flour- Is used to make the sauce thicker.
  • Liquids – I used chicken broth and milk to thin out the creamy butter mixture. You can also use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
  • Dried parsley flakes- this all-around herb will provide a fresh and earthy flavor to the pasta dish. Other herbs that you can use are dried chives and thyme.
  • Salt + pepper– to taste.
  • Parmesan cheese– this helps thicken up the sauce and make it very creamy.
rotini pasta in bowl and cauliflower florets on cutting board.

How to Make Creamy Pasta With Cauliflower

Cook the Pasta and Cauliflower. Cook the pasta and cauliflower florets according to the pasta box instructions. Rotini takes around 7 minutes, so both the pasta and cauliflower cook together for 7 minutes. Drain the pasta and florets and set them back into the pot for later.

cooked pasta and cauliflower.

Make the Cream Sauce Base. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the minced garlic until the pieces soften and become aromatic. Add the flour, and whisk until the mixture becomes creamy. Cook for another minute. Pour the milk and broth and stir for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

Add the Seasonings. Add the dried parsley, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until you are satisfied with the consistency of the sauce. Remove from heat.

spoon with cream sauce in orange pot.

Assemble. Pour the white sauce into the cooked pasta and cauliflower.

cream sauce poured into the middle of pot with pasta and cauliflower.

Toss until the white cheese sauce coats everything evenly. Serve hot and enjoy!

wooden spoon mixing creamy pasta.

Things to add to cauliflower pasta:

  • Proteins Bulk your dish up by topping it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage. You can also simply add bacon bits or fried tofu cubes to keep it light.
  • More Veggies This pasta recipe is a great way to sneak in that extra serving or two of veggies too! Throw in anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup finely chopped lettuce, kale, or spinach if you are craving extra veggies. Once it’s mixed in with the pasta and cream sauce, no one will notice!
  • Team Broccoli instead? Just swap the cauliflower for broccoli instead
  • Add spice! You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to give your pasta a good zing!

Can I make this in advance for meal prep?

If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, you can make the parmesan cheese sauce 2 days in advance. Place it in the fridge and just add it to the cooked pasta and cauliflowers when you are ready to serve.

Pin for later:

Making your weeknight dinner is a breeze with this quick & easy Creamy Pasta With Cauliflower! It is a delicious dish made of rotini noodles and tender cauliflower florets coated in a perfectly seasoned, creamy white sauce.
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5 from 2 reviews

Creamy Cauliflower Pasta (Parmesan Cheese Sauce)

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Making your weeknight dinner is a breeze with this quick & easy Creamy Pasta With Cauliflower! It is a delicious dish made of rotini noodles and tender cauliflower florets coated in creamy parmesan cheese sauce!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
serves 6

Ingredients

  • 16 oz box rotini pasta
  • 1 medium sized cauliflower chopped into small florets
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cauliflower to the pot and cook according to the box of pasta's directions. Drain, and put pasta and cauliflower back into pot. Set aside.
  • Melt butter and garlic in a medium saucepan. Add flour and stir so longer clumpy. Add chicken broth and milk, continuing to stir for a few minutes until sauce thickens. Add parmesan cheese, parsley and salt & pepper to the saucepan and continue to stir until the sauce is creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour cheese sauce over pasta and cauliflower in the pot. Stir so the creamy sauce coats everything. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 330kcal (17%)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cauliflower pasta
Vegetarian Fall, Spring
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • Creamy Vegetable Ziti Pasta
  • Cauliflower Casserole with Mozzarella Cheese
  • Cauliflower Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Pasta al Gratin Macaroni and Cheese

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Ali says

    September 21, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    Loved this recipe. Definitely will make it again. Easier and faster than my cauliflower and macaroni recipe!! I deleted the milk and it was still delicious!.

    Reply
  2. Heather @ Sweet Precision says

    July 23, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    Oh goodness, this pasta dish looks absolutely YUMMY! Who knew that cauliflower could look so decadent?! I’m having visions of creating the same thing using some broccoli!!

    Reply
  3. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

    July 21, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    I had my head in the fridge the other day spying all the delicious fruit and vegetables, and it crossed my mind that perhaps I should look at growing my own cauliflower this summer cause we seem to be chowing through it. Again…. You inspire! Thanks lady. Cant wait to try your recipe. x

    Reply
  4. Ash-foodfashionparty says

    July 14, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    You never cease to amaze me with your gardening skills.
    I can only imagine how fabulous it would taste, nothing like fresh food. That pasta looks amazing.

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    July 14, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Cooked this last night + chicken for my BF, so good!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 14, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Awesome Sarah, glad you guys enjoyed this!

      Reply
  6. grace says

    July 13, 2015 at 11:47 am

    i like cauliflower as it is raw, but i LOVE it cooked. the addition of cheese is just icing on the cake!

    Reply
  7. handmade by amalia says

    July 12, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    Yummy! I’m making this for dinner this week.
    Amalia
    xo

    Reply
  8. Koko says

    July 12, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Oh this looks like th absolute bomb! Homegrown cauliflower….how cool is that!

    Reply
  9. Matt @ Inspired Food says

    July 12, 2015 at 3:02 am

    This recipe looks and sounds delicious! Love thae fact you’re going your own stuff! If i had the space I’d totally be doing the same happy dance! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    July 11, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Oh, do I love cauliflower! I’m so impressed with your plants! I know I would love this luscious and creamy pasta.

    Reply
  11. Consuelo | Honey & Figs says

    July 11, 2015 at 7:47 am

    Cheesy cauliflower sauce has to be one of the finest things in life… I love the looks of this! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 11, 2015 at 10:32 am

      I agree with that Consuelo!

      Reply
  12. Emma @ Bake Then Eat says

    July 10, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    You can not beat cauliflower once it has been smothered in a creamy cheese sauce ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  13. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    July 10, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Oh wow – Pamela – I have missed a few of your posts – your cauliflower looks AHMAZING!!! I need to come visit your rooftop garden when I am in NYC!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 10, 2015 at 4:16 pm

      That would be lovely Shashi!

      Reply
  14. CakeSpy says

    July 10, 2015 at 10:03 am

    This looks impossibly creamy and incredibly amazing. I’m inspired!

    Reply
  15. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    July 10, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Homegrown cauliflowers!!! You are amazing, Pamela.
    The pasta looks very tasty.

    Reply
  16. Cassie says

    July 9, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    This sounds so delectable! It would taste amazing with peas, mushrooms and even a little cherry tomatoes!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 9, 2015 at 9:18 pm

      Yes, keeping adding in those veggies Cassie!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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