Description
This lightened-up Fettuccine Alfredo recipe offers a simple, elegant, and comforting twist on the classic Italian dish. Featuring a creamy and rich sauce made from Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, butter, and a secret ingredient—cauliflower—this dish is both flavorful and nutritious. It easily serves 4 to 6 people and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 12 ounces cauliflower florets (from 1 small cauliflower)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 16 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 to 1½ cups reserved pasta cooking water
To Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil Cauliflower: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook until fork tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transfer the cauliflower to a blender.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In the blender with the cauliflower, add Parmesan cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: In the same large pot, bring salted water back to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1½ cups of the pasta cooking water.
- Blend Sauce: Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the blender with the cauliflower mixture. Blend everything until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to a large bowl or skillet. Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the remaining ½ cup of reserved pasta water while tossing until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side for guests to add as desired.
Notes
- The secret ingredient cauliflower helps lighten the classic creamy Alfredo sauce while adding nutrition and a subtle flavor.
- Reserving pasta water is essential as the starchy water helps loosen and smooth the sauce, making it cling beautifully to the noodles.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- You can adjust the lemon juice quantity depending on your taste preference for brightness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, use less pasta water; for a thinner sauce, add more gradually.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh herbal note but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian