A lighter take on the classic alfredo, this creamy pasta dish uses a cauliflower sauce that's both indulgent and nutritious, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Serving Size 3servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2bonelessboneless chicken breasts (about 12–16 oz total)
8ozfettuccine pasta
1cupcauliflower florets (fresh or frozen)
1cupvegetable broth (or chicken broth for extra savory depth)
1/4cupnutritional yeast (substitute grated Parmesan for dairy)
2clovesgarlic, minced
1tbspolive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserve a half cup of pasta water if you want a looser sauce, and set the pasta aside.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30–45 seconds. Don’t let it brown.
Add the cauliflower florets and vegetable broth to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is very tender, about 5–7 minutes.
Carefully transfer the cauliflower and broth to a blender or use an immersion blender in the pan. Blend until ultra-smooth. Stir in the nutritional yeast, and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a splash of reserved pasta water or extra broth.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the breasts in a little oil until they register 165°F (about 5–7 minutes per side depending on thickness). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice across the grain into strips.
Return the cooked fettuccine to the skillet or toss in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower sauce and sliced chicken. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed for silky consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
For a dairy option, substitute nutritional yeast with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan and a splash of milk or cream. Extra greens can be added by stirring in a handful of baby spinach when combining the pasta and sauce.